my fearful impiety. I was not long ARISE, YE DEAD, AND COME TO JUDGMENT. I heard a rush, as if of the sea in the clouds; and over the adjoining hill I saw, descending into the valley, a perpendicular breastwork of tumbling, and foaming, and overwhelming ocean. I saw multitudes of my fellow-creatures running before it, and perishing in its sweep. I shrunk, screamed, and awoke "in the midst of the adjoining pool," into which I had, during my awful consternation, tumbled; and beheld "Willie Crosbie," the "Gilchristland herd," standing with his dogs and his flocks, which he had collected upon the spot where I had reclined, around me. But I have never taken any more fishing-walks of a Sabbath morning since. Yours, &c. HISTORICAL-NOVEL WRITING. WE are apt to ascribe to general causes, or at least to the plans of statesmen, many events, which, when they are better known, are found to proceed from the private passions of individuals, as much as those incidents do which are of far more trivial consequence. Were we to examine the annals of arbitrary governments, we should find numerous instances of this; but there are many, also, in those of free countries. Thus, in Rome, the vices of the Tarquins were the cause of the termination of its monarchy; those of Appius Claudius put an end to the decemvirate; and the envy of one sister towards another was the origin of the admission of Plebeians to share in the honours of the Consulate. In latter ages, too, and during the empire, there are similar examples. After a reign of half a century, in which Augustus blessed the world with his mild and steady sway, the nefarious intrigues of his second wife, Livia, to the exclusion, and even destruction of his offspring, placed the government in the hands of a tyrant, her own son, Tiberius; and Aggrippina, the second spouse of Claudius, secluded Britannicus, his son by a former marriage, and seated on the throne of the empire her own son Nero, though he was no descendant of the deceased emperor, and was, besides, one of the greatest monsters PISCATOR. that ever disgraced human nature. In Germany, the jealousy subsisting between the clergy of two Roman Catholic sects gave rise to the reformation in religion. In our own island, the personal and family caprices of Henry VIII. had the most general consequences; and his peevishness, which arose from his disappointment in not receiving the expected visit of his nephew, James V., King of Scots, through the selfish management of interested Priests, had effects which were deeply felt by both nations. It would carry us beyond the bounds of this little sketch were we to enter widely into the history of the romance of novel-writing: suffice it to say, that out of this influence of the human passions in the great affairs of mankind, has come that species of it, where events are found to spring from the minuter feelings, and where most important general consequences are shown to have arisen from what may be accounted incidents of ordinary life. In this kind of writing, the French have excelled in an eminent degree; and among the most entertaining details to be found in any language are the Epicaris, the Conjuration de la Venise, and the Don Carlos of St. Real. In the first of these, the famous conspiracy of Piso, and even the burning of Rome in the days of Nero, are traced to what may be termed "private sources:" in the second of them, the more minute features of the Venetian Conspiracy are developed in a similar way; and in the Nouvelle Historique of Don Carlos, while we peruse a portion of the political history of Spain, then in her glory, we sympathise in the deepest manner with the individual distress which is there pourtrayed. Of this kind of composition, which may be called the Historical Novel, we have sundry good examples in our own tongue, and the number of them has been considerably increased by the works of a renowned modern author, who has continued to place before his countrymen, in the most enticing manner, several very important periods of their history. Who of us is not versant, through the pages of Waverley, with the latest Scotch Rebellion? Who, amid all the ludicrous, as well as the grave scenes, of Old Mortality, and along with Claverhouse, and Burley, and Cuddie Headrigg, is not made acquainted with our excellent Covenanters, to whose noble and manly exertions we owe so much? Who can read Kenilworth without seeing before his eyes the maiden Sovereign, equally celebrated for her greatness as a Queen, and her caprice as a woman? And who can follow out the Fortunes of Nigel, and associate in idea with the personages there represented, without feeling himself almost actually in the presence of the whimsical monarch of that day? On that species of writing, in general, we remark, that it seems a very useful one; for the amusement which it affords rouses curiosity; the severer study of common history frequently follows the light entertainment; and we venture to say, that there are many persons to whom these bustling and interesting periods of their own nation would have been nearly unknown, but for those popular works. We have been led into this train of reflection, from a perusal of the last book of this kind which has been given to the public, under the title of ST JOHNSTOUN, OR THE EARL OF GOWRIE. It has for its period the reign of James VI.; and its subject is in some degree that plot where the Earl of Gowrie and his brother Ruthven were slain, and where the King was in the most imminent danger. That event is one of the darkest in the whole of our history; and while one set of writers (and among these Dr Robertson) say that it was the object of the brothers to kill the King, or place him in captivity,— others contend that the treachery was on the King's side, and that it was accomplished in the destruction of those persons by his Majesty and his followers. This last is the theory of the author, but there are further intrigues, and also a due mixture of the tender passion in the book, without which, in truth, a novel can scarcely be made. Young Gowrie is the lover, and it is clear that the opposite view could not have been taken with any propriety by this novelist, for then the hero of the tale must have been a traitor against his Sovereign, even in his own house, instead of a gallant and generous youth; but that never would have answered, and would have been contrary to all the rules of custom and criticism. Such is the general subject of this book; but, as is usual, there are various underplots, with correspondent characters in them. Among these individuals is the Lady of Loretto, alias, the Landlady of the Inn, at a place of that name, a few miles eastward of Edinburgh, and consisting of what was formerly a religious house of some note. This was the place of the kind, in Scotland, that was first converted to secular purposes; which was deemed an act of such heinous impiety by the Catho lics, that, as the author tells us, the Pope annually pronounced from the Vatican the most solemn curses for it, against the inhabitants of the adjoining town of Musselburgh, the perpetrators of this conversion. This author takes advantage of the eventful period in question, to introduce various curious incidents, some of which she has managed with considerable dexterity. Among these is • St. Johnstoun; or, John, Earl of Gowrie. In Three Volumes. Printed for Maclachlan and Stewart, Edinburgh; and Baldwin, Crádock, and Joy, London. 1823. a stage play exhibited in the open air, at Holyrood, and the cause of much offence to the reformed Clergy, when the English comedians, who were sent down by Elizabeth, played the "Midsummer Night's Dream," before the Royal Family and Court of Scotland. There is also an examination of a witch in the King's own presence, which is well described; together with a Court-ball which took place in the Palace, with the exhibition of what, in the language of the times, was called the Peacock Dance. One defect of the book has been said to be too close an imitation of the author of Waverley, (particularly in the Fortunes of Nigel,) in describing King James, and there is probably some truth in the objection; but if the Great Unknown gave a true representation of the King, and this author does the same, must not the two pictures, of necessity, resemble each other on the principle of an axiom, (as certain as the similar one of Euclid,) that things that are like to one and the same thing, are like to one another?" In the under-plots of this author there is sometimes a good deal of prosing, but not more than is occasion ally found in some far greater writBut why do many of these professional entertainers of the public serve up such loads as to surfeit, instead of refreshing them? Where is the good use of three, and sometimes four volumes, when all that is interesting in their details, with all their embellishments, might be far better given in two, and sometimes even in one? For the sake of authors themselves, allow us to remind them, that the Vicar of Wakefield, one of the most pleasing of books, consists of one volume only, while stretching it out to three or four would have enfeebled, or totally destroyed it; and that the beautiful French works, above alluded to, of the same description with St. Johnstoun, do not any one of them fill even a single volume. 66 ers. This book is said to be from the pen of a fair lady, not many miles on this side of Berwick; and we shall soon have the second work which she has promised, which is to contain the Memoirs of Logan of Restalrig. We trust that she will do his memory more justice, at least shew it more mercy, than it received from those, who, several years after his death, most savagely dug up his bones from the tomb, and placing them at the bar, tried and condemned him, though dead, as a traitor, for supposed accession to that conspiracy which has been the subject of this author's pages. If the author is to pursue this kind of writing, let us suggest to her some subjects in her own neighbourhood, not yet pre-occupied. Why, for example, may she not go to Holywell. haugh, at Upsettlington, and tell a tale of the attrocious Edward I., when he there defrauded Scotland of her liberties, till they were redeemed by the gallantry of Wallace and Bruce, and the other heroes of that age? At the Church of Lamberton, also in her vicinity, let her remember that there, as it is said, was celebrated the marriage between our Fourth James and the fair daughter of Henry VII., in whose descendants the crowns were united, and peace and comfort given to the land instead of war and bloodshed; and she may also follow the happy pair to Dalkeith, and, in imagination, join the wedding festivities which took place there on the occasion, so amusingly described by the ancient Chronicler. But may she not climb the summits of Dunse-law in her way, and, descending in the current of time, visit Leslie and his covenanting army, who encamped there in a later age? And may she not proceed to the banks of the Whitadder, and view the grave of De le Bote, now without even a stone to mark where the mighty lies; and there she will recollect the ancient day when the wrathful Wedderburn placed his head on the battlements of Home, and affixed his scalp and flowing hair to his saddle-tree? But why may she not go to Buncle, from whence A stone memorial once marked this grave, and which was preserved with great care by the late Mr Home of Broomhoun, the proprietor of the land there. His heir, Col. Home, was also most anxious to preserve it; but, in his absence in his duty abroad, an improving farmer built, as he said, a bonnie dyke with the materials, much sprung Scottish monarchs, and again make its halls to resound with mirth and minstrelsy?-or, if more general topics are requisite than any of these shall afford, why not take a subject connected with the union of the kingdoms, an event and period fertile in strong feelings, and not wanting in ludicrous incident? From these well-meant suggestions we trust that this lady will profit, and she has our good wishes. Her first essay is favourable. She must be aware, however, that there are different orders of novelists, as of knighthood, and she must be as yet content with being placed in the second of them. But she and her female characters will find very good company there, such as the Spaewife, and the Bachelor's Wife, and the worthy and afflicted Margaret Lindsay; but she must not cope with Rebecca, Minna, and Brenda, and Diana Vernon, nor even with the humbler Meg Dodds; for then she would be intruding within the Unknown's patent, and she has not yet established any good title to break through it. Let her exert herself, however, and do her best; she will find it no simple matter to fight with professed gladiators; nor will she even have the experience of writers whose amusing and able works come out almost as frequently and regularly as Belfast or Aberdeen New Almanacks. The lady will pardon us for one hint more. It has been said, that he is a keen reader indeed who peruses a preface; and the remark is even more applicable to a long concluding letter; yet she has furnished us with one here, which really can scarcely be expected to be read over, after going through almost three volumes, particularly as even the names of the parties to it give little encouragement to begin it, for it is from Peregrine Rover to Tacitus Torpedo. It is sometimes said, that books are often reviewed by persons who never read them. Now we plead almost guilty to this charge, so far as regards the letter; imitating thus the conduct of the foes of Phrenology, who are said, by its patrons, to rail and bark furiously at it with but little knowledge of the subject. We have seen enough, however, of that letter to detect not a little wearisomeness in it; and, notwithstanding the example of no less a person than the Man of Feeling, who has sometimes prosed a little in the same way, we advise our author to avoid such things in future. But our time and space are out. Perhaps an apology is due by us for having occupied so much of both in treating of this work; but we have been imperceptibly led to do so, as illustrative of our general reasonings on historical novel-writing; and if we have here pointed out one way of conveying, by light reading, some historical information to those who think they have not leisure, or have no inclination_to_turn_over heavier volumes, we shall be happy in considering that our writing has not been in vain. Several of the descriptions in these volumes are curious, as having reference to the gaieties of another age. The genius of our Edinburgh beaux was not a little exercised a few weeks ago, in decking themselves in foreign or antique dresses at their large fancy-meeting. Now we must recommend to them that part of this work which gives an account of the Court Assembly at Holyrood; and we think that, at the Bachelor's Ball of next year, we shall hear of some gallant youth appearing in the costume of the Earl of Gowrie, such as it has been described by our fair author. to the vexation and annoyance of his landlord. In the Temple of Fame, this Goth is to occupy the same niche with the modern Knight, who, Pennant tells us, had " demolished the ancient Monument called Arthur's Oven, for a similar purpose." VOL. XIV. 3 L ACCOUNT OF THE ORGANIZATION, ADMINISTRATION, AND PRESENT STATE IN our last, we gave some account of Mr Lyall's large work on the Russian character and manners. The present little tract contains an interesting exposition of the military policy which they are now pursuing in that empire. Not that we are disposed to indulge in any serious apprehensions, on this account, for the peace of Europe. The great object, no doubt, of the Russian rulers, is to lay the foundation of a great military power to create military resources, on which, in case of emergency, they can draw to any extent. But, from the nature and constitution of man, the thing is impossible. Despotic power cannot so crush and benumb every faculty of the human mind, as to mould society into such an unnatural shape. "Times and occasions," as Burke observes, "teach their own lessons ;" and an enlightened and patriotic nation, under the impulse of some great and pressing public danger, may be suddenly transformed into soldiers. But it must be a voluntary sacrifice on the part of the people; it cannot be produced by force; such a revolution of habits cannot be deliberately brought about by the fiat of any despot. It will accordingly be found, that no people ever yet became essentially military, except under the influence of patriotism. There must be devotion there must be zeal to kindle up the military flame. The cold and freezing influence of despotism may produce a sluggish acquiescence, but beyond this it cannot go. The most perfect military communities of which we have any account, were those of Greece and Rome; and here it is well known that patriotism, or the love of glory, was the animating principle. These nations were nursed amid the din of arms. The sword was their only refuge from foreign oppression; every man was forced to turn soldier in defence of his country; and this policy was formed by a congenial system of laws and manners. Arts and luxury were discouraged; the ground, to be sure, was cultivated, in order to procure subsistence to the armed population, |