921 On the Sonnets of the Rev Wm. Lisle Bowles. O Time, who know'st a lenient hand to lay Mr. Bowles is the poet of nature, and he has lately been engaged in a controversy with Lord Byron, as to which poetry is the most indebted-nature or art. It is unnecessary to say any thing here upon this subject. Mr. Bowles has pointed out many of his Lordship's inconsistencies, and shewn himself well able to support an argument. His idea of the true poet is that "he should have an eye attentive to, and familiar with, every change of season, every variation of light and shade, of nature, every rock, every tree, and every leaf in her secret places;" and he says that "he who has not an eye to observe these, must be so far deficient in one of the essential qualities of a poet." Whether so close an observance of nature's variety be requisite to the formation of a poet, may perhaps be doubted, but assuredly there is much truth in the remark. As to the still inanimate face of nature, no one is expected to consider it merely as such. Natural objects become fit subjects for poetry only in proportion as they can create ideas in the mind of the behold er; 922 Enough has already been quoted to shew that Mr. Bowles possesses powers of no ordinary kind in that peculiar province of poetry which appeals to the best feelings of the heart. I cannot however forbear giving the following eminently beautiful sonnet. If chance some pensive stranger, hither led, Should ask who sleeps beneath this lonely bed, Of fruitless love: yet was her look serene Like that which spoke of a departed friend; Surely every heart must acknowledge the beauty of these lines; they place before us the tenderest of all passions; they tell us the tale of one who loved, and was deceived; they fix the imagination on the ceaseless tear, the enduring sigh, the broken heart. There is something inexpressibly sweet in those words, her heart is still;" they tell us that every moment of pain, every hour of mourning, is past, and that a country far other than an earthly one is the reward- a land whence there shall be no more sorrow, neither any more sighing-where the wicked cease from troubling, and where the weary are at rest. Such are Mr. Bowles's sonnets;pourtraying feelings the most simple in themselves, yet such as are so inwoven with the human heart, that they can never be forgotten. The commonest feelings after all are the holiest, when they are rightly understood; and the true poet who treads in this path is sure of success. We are ever well pleased to hear of those sacred repo for we are not supposed to look upon every scene in the endless diversity around us, with the "brute unconscious gaze." A flower or a blade of grass is, to the contemplative man, a sufficient subject whereby he may become wiser and better, and, in the hands of a genuine poet, will affect us more than a thousand splendid descriptions of artificial life. Lord By-sitories of feeling which are a part of ron, in his strictures upon Mr. Bowles, says that he regards this as the declining age of poetry. I know not how this can be made out; but possibly it may be so, if morálity be referred to as the test. If this be the point in which it is declining, to whom are we to look as the chief author of it? perhaps his Lordship may not be altogether aware of the fact, but I fear we have little else to do than to address him in the language of one of old, and say-Thou art the man." No. 32.-VOL. III. ourselves and of every one: we know that what affects us will affect others; and that he who calls forth vibrations from our hearts, is touching those strings which belong to the whole family of man. Although Mr. Bowles has written works of more acknowledged merit, and on far higher subjects, yet the same delicacy of feeling pervades them which is observable in his small collection of sonnets. May he who has deserved so well of mankind ever be had in remembrance! and when at 3 N 923 Vindication of Wordsworth's Poetry. at last the shadows of mortality close around him, may all those happy feelings he has so sweetly delineated be his companions, and, in his own words, fit him 924 that they command my admiration, and with them on your pages, I can cheerfully submit to your readers the question-Whether the mind of Mr. Wordsworth" always like the swallow sweeps the ground," or if it does not at times soar with the eagle to the blissful abodes of heaven? I do not however mean to assert that even Wordsworth has no faults. The charge of puerility comes too just "To meet life's peaceful evening with a smile." In this imperfect sketch I have avoided all the usual flippancies of criticism; upon such subjects they are ever misplaced. I have spoken of him, not as one who wishes to find fault, but as a disciple. To say that his com-ly to be denied as to some of his pieces: positions are faultless, is not intended; but to answer such a question would only be again recurring to that flat and stale truism, that everlasting echo of an echo, namely, that the best works of man are imperfect. Bridge-street, Derby. G. M. VINDICATION OF WORDSWORTH'S MR. EDITOR. THE observations of your correspondent G. M." on the genius and writings of Wordsworth," accord with my own opinion of his merit. I was therefore glad to see them in your valuable Magazine. The remarks also on Lord Byron's poetry were, I think, just; the censures merited: but Aristarchus, in your last No. (col. 810,) comes forward with a "Vindication of Lord Byron's poetry," in which he "traverses out of the record," and takes some pains to depreciate the writings of Mr. Wordsworth. yet has he thrown around his “childish things" a sweetly interesting charm, which no hand but that of a master could have done. And if it were not so, I ask, where is the husband or the wife, who feel their happiness dependent on their mutual fidelity and love, -where the parent, anxious for the morals of his rising charge,—who would not prefer even the puerilities of Wordsworth to the obscenities of Byron? This thought, Sir, brings me to that which I intended to make the chief subject of my paper. We will now concede to Aristarchus that his *Lordship possesses great and commanding powers of poetry, that he writes in the true spirit of a favourite with the muses; yet, Sir, I cannot congratulate him on the possession of abilities, for the use or abuse of which he must render an account to his Maker! Neither can I congratulate the land which gave him birth. Here are fine powers of mind devoted-not to the development and application of those principles of religion which are adapted to alleviate the sorrows of the mind, amid the wants and miseries to which we are subject-nor to the suggestion of those considerations which increase the well-being of man in a state of society-nor to those which tend to keep under proper regulation the passions of the soul. No! to exhibit peace above the man, to produce peace within him, and promote peace around him, is not the object of Lord Byron. I cannot bring myself to believe that But here are fine powers of mind devoAristarchus has read the poems of ted to the service of licentious princiWordsworth for himself, or that he has ples, and to the increase of correspondbrought to the study of them all that im- ing conduct; and to loose the bonds partiality and candour which should es. which bind man to man in a state of socipecially distinguish criticisms on cotem al amity; and to make him to trifle with porary authors. Has he even attend- all that is holy and divine; to repreed to the beautiful extracts from "the sent him as awretch:-but as if dissaExcursion," quoted by G. M. and the tisfied with the measure of his wretchsonnet on the field of Waterloo? Iedness, or fearful that his portrait and know not what Aristarchus may think of these, but I am not ashamed to say With respect to this poet, I will venture to say, that the sweeping nature of the censures of Aristarchus will destroy the whole of the effect intended by them. Will any of your readers, Mr. Editor, believe that there are nothing but puerilities, in works which many of our first critics allow to abound in beauties? No, Sir, not though Aristarchus should again assert it. * Sed virtus est vera nobilitas. 925 On Natural and Acquired Abilities. the original should not correspondto inflame his mind with those guilty passions, which are best adapted to make him one-this is the object of Lord Byron! Now, Sir, if this be correct, I will assert, that however splendid the powers of Lord Byron's poetry may be, yet having an immoral tendency, they deserve not the approbation of the wise and the good. Is a dose of poison less dreadful because presented in a cup of gold, or accompanied with sweetmeats? or do the beautiful colours of the serpent render its bite less fatal? To him, therefore, who would not have his mind and conscience defiled--to him who in a word would not be a worse man, or a worse acquaintance-I recommend an old precept 926 TO THE EDITOR OF THE IMPERIAL SIR,-The query, "Which are the most "Touch not, taste not, handle not." A word or two, Sir, on the sale of Lord Byron's poems, and I have done. I need not "ask *Mr. Murray, his Lordship's bookseller," on this subject. I have little doubt that they are extensively read, and have corre--Palmam qui meruit, ferat. sponding influence; but that they are read by those whose approbation only is worth having, I deny. The moral man's book, cannot, must not, be thus polluted. Neither will they continue to be extensively read. I can inform Aristarchus for "his consolation," that though the number of those who encourage such writings is still great, yet that it is lessening. And when the empire of right principles and moral rectitude shall be established, the name of Byron shall be remembered only to his condemnation. For the subsequent reasons, I am induced to prefer acquired abilities. I beg, Mr. Editor, to conclude with a sonnet of Wordsworth, as another specimen to such of your readers as have not read his works; only assuring them that there are many of equal excellence. ON THE DEATH OF HIS LATE MAJESTY, *Your readers are indebted to Aristarchus for this information, since (from whatever cause) Mr. Murray has declined putting his name on the title-page of a recent publication. 1st. Because man himself deems them essential.-Were the intellectual energies man possesses from nature, adequate to those which diligence and perseverance enable him to attain, would he choose to relinquish the fascinating, and, in that case, the laudable path of careless ease, for the labours and anxieties attendant on the superfluous acquisition of knowledge and wisdom? would he tamely devote the fairest and happiest portion of his temporary existence, to the arduous task of obtaining what would not benefit him? No-he is aware that the faculties with which he enters this "bright and breathing world" are crude and imbecile he is aware that without improvement, they will, like rubies in their native mine, remain for ever imperfect,unknown, and absolutely worthless-and he is also aware that the cultivation of these germs of perfection will expand, refine, and animate their embryo beauties, and, finally, exalt him to a degree of excellence nearer resembling that of their omnipotent Author. 2nd. Because they promote his honour and welfare through life.-The treasures of learning are inexhaustible-never can the lively pen of eulogy describe 927 Reigns of great Monarchs-Alfred the Great. 928 this vale of sorrow to regions of eternal bliss. 4th. Because they awaken reverence and adoration for the Deity.-Though we cannot but admit that all rational beings must, in some measure, perceive the superintending providence of God; yet, alas! how many melancholy instances have we of the darkness and barbarism of those ideas: to what can this be ascribed? are we not, collectively, born with the same pas sions, the same privileges, and the same spiritual properties? with few exceptions, we are. It must be then that the natural abilities of the unenlightened (incapable of themselves to feel, or feeling to appreciate the glories of the Creator) are suffered to degenerate into passive depravity, instead of being raised by efficacious instruction and acquired wisdom, to admire the wonders of nature and nature's God. Is it thus with the man whose percipi all their qualities-never can the vivid hand of encomium pourtray all their advantages: amid the chilling storms of adversity, they inspire resignation and fortitude-in the smiling hours of prosperity, they adorn and irradiate. The literary character is considered the ornament of his country, and the glory of his friends; his talents are acquired and matured by long and unremitted attention to the study of men and books; his mental powers are embellished and dignified by the charms of science; and, lastly, the tenor of his conduct through life, generally ensures approbation and esteem, seldom disregard or censure. I have somewhere observed the adage, "Man is prone to evil;" now, if this allegation be true, and I think it can scarcely be doubted -the genial and enchanting quintessence of rectitude could never pierce the dark mazes of an uncultivated mind, be its natural abilities what they may. Education "rears the ten-ent qualifications have been sedulousder thought"-education plants "the ly improved? No:-he beholds with generous purpose in the glowing reverential awe the divine actions of breast"-in short, to use the emphatic the Father; he regards with grateful words of Addison, "education draws adoration the amazing and delightful out to view every latent virtue and per-order that pervades all his operations; fection; which, without such helps, are never able to make their appear ance. and, to conclude, the more his golden store of knowledge increases, the more he recognizes the omniscience of that Being, whom his ennobled soul voluntarily fears, worships, and obeys. PHILOMATHES. Norwich, September 9th, 1821. MONARCHS. ALFRED THE GREAT. BY A. H. 3rd. Because they are beneficial to others. Whenever we contemplate the nature of the human species, and the deprivations and infirmities to which it is liable, we are almost ready to exclaim with Cicero, "Homines hominum causâ generati fuerunt:" and in- REFLECTIONS ON THE REIGNS OF GREAT deed we cannot be more praiseworthily employed, than in striving to further the happiness of a fellow-creature. But-can he whose passions are not I SHOULD Conceive it impossible for an tempered by the sway of acquired judg- impartial individual to rise from the ment and discretion--can he whose perusal of the reign of Alfred the Great, inclinations are uninfluenced by acqui- without thinking him one of the ablest red morality-can he promote the com- and best monarchs that ever swayed a fort of others? can he teach them to sceptre. The enthusiasm which natu"do justly, love mercy, and walk hum- rally attends the consideration of the bly with God?" No :-the man whose important benefits his wisdom produheart is the seat of pure and philan- ced, is a sufficient apology for directthropic sentiments; whose mind is the ing the attention of the reader to so receptacle of great, and wise, and remote an event. He cannot suffer good principles; whose understanding blame, whose intention it is to recall is enriched with the ample spoils of to mind any circumstances worthy of moral and intellectual erudition; he remembrance, but which may be half instructs them in the various duties of forgotten amid the multiplicity of sublife, he exposes the specious duplicityjects occupying the human intellect. of vice, he excites in their breasts the Every one is fond of placing before love of virtue, and, ultimately, his himself, and the minds of others, a precepts conduct them in peace through happy train of events, or of brilliant 929 Reigns of great Monarchs-Alfred the Great. characters in reference to ancient Greece and Rome; and why should not a Briton do the same, in reference to his own country? In order to mark the internal causes of good effects, to penetrate the nature of the human mind, discoverable by a search into its designs and policies; and to point out the tendency of accidents at first sight trivial, we must have recourse to former times and remarkable periods. Alfred benefited the nation by two great services. He overcame the invasion of a foreign enemy by his management, and restored peace to his people he regulated the internal government, and provided against civil commotions and foreign power. Few are ignorant of his valour, prudence, and policy, in driving from the kingdom a set of wretches, who had forced him to put on a disguise, in order to avoid their barbarity. In that age, when right was little respected, when the laws of nations were trampled on by those invaders the Danes, one might expect to hear of heavy reprisals on the part of Alfred, when fortune, or rather wisdom, had given him the advantage. But superior light seemed to illume his soul, for the purpose of pointing out the efficacy and humanity of gentle means, in the treatment of his enemies. Accordingly, he lodged part of his adversaries in his own realm, and endeavoured to soothe their fierceness by his forbearance, and make them faithful subjects by his equity. Those of the conquered who embraced Christianity remained in England; while those who did not, had permission to go to Flanders. 930 came not with formal declarations of war, or any particular preparations, but as ravagers to lay waste the country, and commit depredations. At first, when they landed, they harassed the inhabitants of the place where the invasion happened to be, then fled to their ships, and steered off. They always fulfilled their design of carrying away plunder. At last they invaded the kingdom in such numbers, as to carry all before them. Who then can withhold praise from him, whose policy and virtue effected release to the English nation in such circumstances? But that for which the nation was chiefly indebted to this king, was, the regulations he made concerning the government. A wise lawgiver is always entitled to esteem, both in his own and in all future times. Without government and law, society could not subsist; and they cause liberty,-for as the great Locke says, "where there is no law there is no liberty." The benefit derived from equitable laws and a good constitution, is a subject upon which I venture with caution, but, at the same time, with confidence; for, as society is that which induces great happiness on the human race, and is of such high value in this state of being; the support by which it is sustained, must be so sacred, as to merit the notice of a superior mind. The blessings, however, which flow from good government, being readily admitted by sensible men, no reasoning is required to prove them, and plain actions present themselves throughout. The protection of the life, liberty, To what extremity Alfred was redu- and property of its members, is the ced, is well known. Amid the deser- design of society, and the paramount tion of many of his subjects, and a object of a wise legislator. Every variety of ills arising from a swarm of society is supposed to have been estaravagers, he was, for a time, compel-blished, in order to obtain, by its united led to resign his royalty. But notwith-power, that happiness for its constitustanding these disasters, by his wisdom and virtue he at length restored tranquillity and peace. ent members, which it was impossible for them to obtain when single: nothing but excellent laws can effect this The prospect of a foreign invasion, purpose; there must be proper regutaken in a political point of view, is a lations to protect the subject from the circumstance demanding the attention assaults of his fellows, to prevent inof the state threatened. It is a funda- testine war, and to foil foreign enemies. mental duty of every society to render As ignorance is the parent of many ills, itself perfect, and to maintain its rights it is the business of the legislator to as a nation against those who would diffuse knowledge: ignorance, and overturn them. Soldiers are prepared, disorder in government, reciprocally ships of war fitted out, and every pre-assist each other; and when the latter caution is or ought to be taken. In disadvantage exists, it is of the greatthe case of Alfred the Great, the Danes est importance to reform it. |