Our readers have annually anticipated a high treat from this
splendid intellectual banquet, served up by some of the
master1
spirits of the age.
We doubt whether the comparison is refined enough for the
fair authoresses; but our fancy has led us to class their
contributions to the present feast as follow:—
Hock—Champagne, (Still and Sparkling.)
Miss Mitford.
Bernard Barton.
Mrs. Hemans.
Watts.
Delta.
with a due proportion of vin ordinaire. This
comparison may be pleasant enough as after-dinner chat, but
we fear our readers will think it like cooks circulating the
Bills of Fare on the morning of Lord Mayor's Day; and lest we
should incur their displeasure, we shall proceed with our
select course: but we are mere disposers.
In literary talent, as well as in graphic beauty, this
elegant volume stands first; and from it we have selected the
subject of the above engraving, accompanied by the following
Fill high the bowl, with Samian wine,
Our virgins dance beneath the shade.
Lo! they come, they come!
Garlands for every shrine!
Strike lyres to greet them home;
Bring roses, pour ye wine!
Swell, swell the Dorian flute
Thro' the blue, triumphal sky!
Let the Cittern's tone salute
The Sons of Victory!
With the offering of bright blood,
They have ransomed earth and tomb,
Vineyard, and field, and flood;—
Lo! they come, they come!
Sing it where olives wave,
And by the glittering sea,
And o'er each hero's grave,—
Sing, sing, the land is free!
Mark ye the flashing oars,
And the spears that light the deep!
How the festal sunshine pours
Where the lords of battle sweep!
Each hath brought back his shield,—
Maid, greet thy lover home!
Mother, from that proud field,
Lo! thy son is come!
Who murmured of the dead?
Hush, boding voice! we know
That many a shining head
Lies in its glory low.
Breathe not those names to-day!
They shall have their praise ere long,
And a power all hearts to sway
In ever-burning song.
But now shed flowers, pour wine,
To hail the conquerors home!
Bring wreaths for every shrine—
Lo! they come, they come!
The original engraving is by Edward Goodall, from a painting
by William Linton, Esq. It is altogether a rich and glorious
composition, at this moment too, glowing with more than
pictorial interest; and the carmen triumphale of the
poetess is a worthy accompaniment. Among the other engravings
the frontispiece and opposite page of this work are extremely
rich and beautiful: Psyche borne by the Zephyrs to the
Island of Pleasure, is full of languishing beauty;
Medora, painted by Pickersgill and engraved by Rolls,
is a delightfully placid moonlight scene; the
Declaration, easy and graceful: there are, however, in
our opinion, two decided failures in the volume, which, for
the credit of the artists, had better been omitted. Our
present notices of the literary department must be
confined to the following selection:
By William Maginn, Esq.
In days of yore, there lived in the flourishing city of
Cairo, a Hebrew Rabbi, by name Jochorian, who was the most
learned of his nation. His fame went over the East, and the
most distant people sent their young men to imbibe wisdom
from his lips. He was deeply skilled in the traditions of the
fathers, and his word on a disputed point was decisive. He
was pious, just, temperate, and strict; but he had one
vice—a love of gold had seized upon his heart, and he
opened not his hand to the poor. Yet he was wealthy above
most, his wisdom being to him the source of riches. The
Hebrews of the city were grieved at this blemish on the
wisest of their people; but though the elders of the tribes
continued to reverence him for his fame, the women and
children of Cairo called him by no other name than that of
Rabbi Jochonan the miser.
None knew, so well as he, the ceremonies necessary for
initiation into the religion of Moses; and, consequently, the
exercise of those solemn offices was to him another source of
gain. One day, as he walked in the fields about Cairo,
conversing with a youth on the interpretation of the law, it
so happened, that the angel of death smote the young man
suddenly, and he fell dead before the feet of the Rabbi, even
while he was yet speaking. When the Rabbi found that the
youth was dead, he rent his garments, and glorified the Lord.
But his heart was touched, and the thoughts of death troubled
him in the visions of the night. He felt uneasy when he
reflected on his hardness to the poor, and he said, "Blessed
be the name of the Lord! The first good thing that I am asked
to do in that holy name, will I perform."—But he
sighed, for he feared that some one might ask of him a
portion of his gold.
While yet he thought upon these things, there came a loud cry
at his gate.
"Awake, thou sleeper!" said the voice; "Awake! A child is in
danger of death, and the mother hath sent me for thee that
thou may'st do thine office."
"The night is dark and gloomy," said the Rabbi, coming to his
casement, "and mine age is great; are there not younger men
than I in Cairo?"
"For thee only, Rabbi Jochonan, whom some call the wise, but
whom others call Rabbi Jochonan the miser, was I sent. Here
is gold," said he, taking out a purse of sequins—"I
want not thy labour for nothing. I adjure thee to come, in
the name of the living God."
So the Rabbi thought upon the vow he had just made, and he
groaned in spirit, for the purse sounded heavy.
"As thou hast adjured me by that name, I go with thee," said
he to the man, "but I hope the distance is not far. Put up
thy gold."
"The place is at hand," said the stranger, who was a gallant
youth, in magnificent attire. "Be speedy, for time presses."
Jochonan arose, dressed himself, and
accompanied the stranger, after having carefully
locked up all the doors of his house, and deposited his keys
in a secret place—at which the stranger smiled.
"I never remember," said the Rabbi, "so dark a night. Be thou
to me as a guide, for I can hardly see the way."
"I know it well," replied the stranger with a sigh, "it is a
way much frequented, and travelled hourly by many; lean upon
mine arm and fear not."
They journeyed on; and though the darkness was great, yet the
Rabbi could see, when it occasionally brightened, that he was
in a place strange to him. "I thought," said he, "I knew all
the country for leagues about Cairo, yet I know not where I
am. I hope, young man," said he to his companion, "that thou
hast not missed the way;" and his heart misgave him.
"Fear not," returned the stranger. "Your journey is even now
done," and, as he spoke, the feet of the Rabbi slipped from
under him, and he rolled down a great height. When he
recovered, he found that his companion had fallen also, and
stood by his side.
"Nay, young man," said the Rabbi, "if thus thou sportest with
the grey hairs of age, thy days are numbered. Wo unto him who
insults the hoary head!"
The stranger made an excuse, and they journeyed on some
little further in silence. The darkness grew less, and the
astonished Rabbi, lifting up his eyes, found that they had
come to the gates of a city which he had never before seen.
Yet he knew all the cities of the land of Egypt, and he had
walked but half an hour from his dwelling in Cairo. So he
knew not what to think, but followed the man with trembling.
They soon entered the gates of the city, which was lighted up
as if there were a festival in every house. The streets were
full of revellers, and nothing but a sound of joy could be
heard. But when Jochonan looked upon their faces—they
were the faces of men pained within; and he saw, by the marks
they bore, that they were Mazikin [demons]. He was terrified
in his soul; and, by the light of the torches, he looked also
upon the face of his companion, and, behold! he saw upon him
too, the mark that shewed him to be a Demon. The Rabbi feared
excessively—almost to fainting; but he thought it
better to be silent; and sadly he followed his guide, who
brought him to a splendid house, in the most magnificent
quarter of the city.
"Enter here?" said the Demon to Jochonan, "for this house is
mine. The lady and the child are in the upper chamber;" and,
accordingly, the sorrowful Rabbi ascended the stair to find
them.
The lady, whose dazzling beauty was shrouded by melancholy
beyond hope, lay in bed; the child, in rich raiment,
slumbered on the lap of the nurse, by her side.
"I have brought to thee, light of my eyes!" said the Demon,
"Rebecca, beloved of my soul! I have brought thee Rabbi
Jochonan the wise, for whom thou didst desire. Let him, then,
speedily begin his office; I shall fetch all things
necessary, for he is in haste to depart."
He smiled bitterly as he said these words, looking at the
Rabbi; and left the room, followed by the nurse.
When Jochonan and the lady were alone, she turned in the bed
towards him, and said:—
"Unhappy man that thou art! knowest thou where thou hast been
brought?"
"I do," said he, with a heavy groan; I know that I am in a
city of the Mazikin."
"Know, then, further," said she, and the tears gushed from
eyes brighter than the diamond, "know then, further, that no
one is ever brought here, unless he hath sinned before the
Lord. What my sin hath been imports not to thee—and I
seek not to know thine. But here thou remainest for
ever—lost, even as I am lost." And she wept again.
The Rabbi dashed his turban on the ground, and tearing his
hair, exclaimed, "Wo is me! Who art thou, woman! that
speakest to me thus?"
"I am a Hebrew woman," said she, "the daughter of a Doctor of
the Laws in the city of Bagdad; and being brought hither, it
matters not how, I am married to a prince among the Mazikin,
even him who was sent for thee. And that child, whom thou
sawest, is our first-born, and I could not bear the thought
that the soul of our innocent babe should perish. I therefore
besought my husband to try to bring hither a priest, that the
law of Moses (blessed be his memory!) should be done; and thy
fame, which has spread to Bagdad, and lands further towards
the rising of the sun, made me think of thee. Now my husband,
though great among the Mazikin, is more just than the other
Demons; and he loves me, whom he hath ruined, with a love of
despair. So he said, that the name of Jochonan the wise was
familiar unto him, and that he knew thou wouldst not be able
to refuse. What thou hast done, to give him power over thee,
is known to thyself."
"I swear, before Heaven!" said the Rabbi, "that I
have ever diligently kept the law, and walked stedfastly
according to the traditions of our fathers, from the day of
my youth upward. I have wronged no man in word or deed, and I
have daily worshipped the Lord; minutely performing all the
ceremonies thereto needful."
"Nay," said the lady, "all this thou mightest have done, and
more, and yet be in the power of the Demons. But time passes,
for I hear the foot of my husband mounting the stair. There
is one chance of thine escape."
"What is that? O lady of beauty?" said the agonized Rabbi.
"Eat not, drink not, nor take fee or reward while here; and
as long as thou canst do thus, the Mazikin have no power over
thee, dead or alive. Have courage, and persevere."
As she ceased from speaking, her husband entered the room,
followed by the nurse, who bore all things requisite for the
ministration of the Rabbi. With a heavy heart he performed
his duty, and the child was numbered among the faithful. But
when, as usual, at the conclusion of the ceremony, the wine
was handed round to be tasted by the child, the mother, and
the Rabbi, he refused it when it came to him, saying:—
"Spare me, my lord, for I have made a vow that I fast this
day; and I will not eat, neither will I drink."
"Be it as thou pleasest," said the Demon, "I will not that
thou shouldst break thy vow;" and he laughed aloud.
So the poor Rabbi was taken into a chamber, looking into a
garden, where he passed the remainder of the night and the
day weeping, and praying to the Lord that he would deliver
him from the city of Demons. But when the twelfth hour came,
and the sun was set, the Prince of the Mazikin came again
unto him, and said:—
"Eat now, I pray thee, for the day of thy vow is past;" and
he set meat before him.
"Pardon again thy servant, my lord," said Jochonan, "in this
thing. I have another vow for this day also. I pray thee be
not angry with thy servant."
"I am not angry," said the Demon, "be it as thou pleasest; I
respect thy vow;" and he laughed louder than before.
So the Rabbi sat another day in his chamber by the garden,
weeping and praying. And when the sun had gone behind the
hills, the Prince of the Mazikin again stood before him, and
said:—
"Eat now, for thou must be an hungered. It was a sore vow of
thine;" and he offered him daintier meats.
And Jochonan felt a strong desire to eat, but he prayed
inwardly to the Lord, and the temptation passed, and he
answered:—
"Excuse thy servant yet a third time, my lord, that I eat
not. I have renewed my vow."
"Be it so, then," said the other; "arise, and follow me."
The Demon took a torch in his hand, and led the Rabbi through
winding passages of his palace, to the door of a lofty
chamber, which he opened with a key that he took from a niche
in the wall. On entering the room, Jochonan saw that it was
of solid silver—floor, ceiling, walls, even to the
threshold and the door-posts. And the curiously carved roof,
and borders of the ceiling, shone, in the torch-light, as if
they were the fanciful work of frost. In the midst were heaps
of silver money, piled up in immense urns of the same metal,
even over the brim.
"Thou hast done me a serviceable act, Rabbi," said the
Demon—"take of these what thou pleasest; ay, were it
the whole."
"I cannot, my lord," said Jochonan. "I was adjured by thee to
come hither in the name of God; and in that name I came, not
for fee or for reward."
"Follow me," said the prince of the Mazikin; and Jochonan did
so, into an inner chamber.
It was of gold, as the other was of silver. Its golden roof
was supported by pillars and pilasters of gold, resting upon
a golden floor. The treasures of the kings of the earth would
not purchase one of the four-and-twenty vessels of golden
coins, which were disposed in six rows along the room. No
wonder! for they were filled by the constant labours of the
Demons of the mine. The heart of Jochonan was moved by
avarice, when he saw them shining in yellow light, like the
autumnal sun, as they reflected the beams of the torch. But
God enabled him to persevere.
"These are thine," said the Demon; "one of the vessels which
thou beholdest would make thee richest of the sons of
men—and I give thee them all."
But Jochonan refused again; and the Prince of the Mazikin
opened the door of a third chamber, which was called the Hall
of Diamonds. When the Rabbi entered, he screamed aloud, and
put his hands over his eyes; for the lustre of the jewels
dazzled him, as if he had looked upon the noon-day sun. In
vases of agate were heaped diamonds beyond enumeration, the
smallest of which was larger
than a pigeon's egg. On alabaster tables lay
amethysts, topazes, rubies, beryls, and all other precious
stones, wrought by the hands of skilful artists, beyond power
of computation. The room was lighted by a carbuncle, which,
from the end of the hall, poured its ever-living light,
brighter than the rays of noontide, but cooler than the
gentle radiance of the dewy moon. This was a sore trial on
the Rabbi; but he was strengthened from above, and he refused
again.
"Thou knowest me then, I perceive, O Jochonan, son of
Ben-David," said the Prince of the Mazikin; "I am a Demon who
would tempt thee to destruction. As thou hast withstood so
far, I tempt thee no more. Thou hast done a service which,
though I value it not, is acceptable in the sight of her
whose love is dearer to me than the light of life. Sad has
been that love to thee, my Rebecca! Why should I do that
which would make thy cureless grief more grievous? You have
yet another chamber to see," said he to Jochonan, who had
closed his eyes, and was praying fervently to the Lord,
beating his breast.
Far different from the other chambers, the one into which the
Rabbi was next introduced, was a mean and paltry apartment,
without furniture. On its filthy walls hung innumerable
bunches of rusty keys, of all sizes, disposed without order.
Among them, to the astonishment of Jochonan, hung the keys of
his own house, those which he had put to hide when he came on
this miserable journey, and he gazed upon them intently.
"What dost thou see," said the Demon, "that makes thee look
so eagerly? Can he who has refused silver, and gold, and
diamonds, be moved by a paltry bunch of rusty iron?"
"They are mine own, my lord," said the Rabbi, "them will I
take, if they be offered me."
"Take them, then," said the Demon, putting them into his
hand;—"thou may'st depart. But, Rabbi, open not thy
house only, when thou returnest to Cairo, but thy heart also.
That thou didst not open it before, was that which gave me
power over thee. It was well that thou didst one act of
charity in coming with me without reward, for it has been thy
salvation. Be no more Rabbi Jochonan the miser."
The Rabbi bowed to the ground, and blessed the Lord for his
escape. "But how," said he, "am I to return, for I know not
the way?"
"Close thine eyes," said the Demon. He did so, and in the
space of a moment, heard the voice of the Prince of Mazikin
ordering him to open them again. And, behold, when he opened
them, he stood in the centre of his own chamber, in his house
at Cairo, with the keys in his hand.
When he recovered from his surprise, and had offered
thanksgivings to God, he opened his house, and his heart
also. He gave alms to the poor, he cheered the heart of the
widow, and lightened the destitution of the orphan. His
hospitable board was open to the stranger, and his purse was
at the service of all who needed to share it. His life was a
perpetual act of benevolence; and the blessings showered upon
him by all, were returned bountifully upon him by the hand of
God.
But people wondered, and said, "Is not this the man who was
called Rabbi Jochonan the miser? What hath made the change?"
And it became a saying in Cairo. When it came to the ears of
the Rabbi, he called his friends together, and he avowed his
former love of gold, and the danger to which it had exposed
him; relating all which has been above told, in the hall of
the new palace that he built by the side of the river, on the
left hand, as thou goest down by the course of the great
stream. And wise men, who were scribes, wrote it down from
his mouth, for the memory of mankind, that they might profit
thereby. And a venerable man, with a beard of snow, who had
read it in these books, and at whose feet I sat, that I might
learn the wisdom of the old time, told it to me. And I write
it in the tongue of England, the merry and the free, on the
tenth day of the month Nisan, in the year, according to the
lesser computation, five hundred ninety and seven, that thou
may'st learn good thereof. If not, the fault be upon thee.
Written on seeing Flags and other Ensigns of War, hanging
in a Country Church.
Oh! why amid this hallowed scene.
Should signs of mortal feud be found;
Why seek with such vain gauds to wean
Our thoughts from holier relics 'round?
More fitting emblems here abound
Of glory's bright, unfading wreath;—
Conquests, with purer triumphs crowned;—
Proud victories over Sin and Death!
Of these how many records rise
Before my chastened spirit now;
Memorials, pointing to the skies,
Of Christian battles fought below.
What need of yon stern things to shew
That darker deeds have oft been done?—
Is't not enough for Man to know
He lives but through the blood of ONE!
And thou, mild delegate of God,
Whose words of balm, and guiding light.
Would lead us, from earth's drear abode,
To worlds with bliss for ever bright,—
What have the spoils of mortal fight
To do with themes 'tis thine to teach?
Faith's saving grace—each sacred rite
Thou know'st to practice as to preach!
The blessings of the contrite heart,
Thy bloodless conquests best proclaim;
The tears from sinners' eyes that start,
Are meetest records of thy fame.
The glory that may grace thy name
From loftier triumphs sure must spring;—
The grateful thoughts thy worth may claim,
Trophies like these can never bring!
Then, wherefore on this sainted spot,
With peace and love, and hope imbued,—
Some vision calm of bliss to blot,
And turn our thoughts on deeds of blood,—
Should signs of battle-fields intrude:—
Man wants no trophies here of strife;
His Oriflamme—Faith unsubdued;—
His Panoply—a spotless life!
Away with bayonet and with lance,
With corslet, casque and sword;
Our island king no war-horse needs,
For on the sea he's lord.
His throne's the war-ship's lofty deck,
His sceptre is the mast;
His kingdom is the rolling wave,
His servant is the blast.
His anchor's up, fair Freedom's flag
Proud to the mast he nails;
Tyrants and conquerors bow your heads,
For there your terror sails.
I saw fierce Prussia's chargers stand,
Her children's sharp swords out;—
Proud Austria's bright spurs streaming red,
When rose the closing shout.
But soon the steeds rushed masterless,
By tower and town and wood;
For lordly France her fiery youth
Poured o'er them like a flood.
Go, hew the gold spurs from your heels,
And let your steeds run free;
Then come to our unconquered decks,
And learn to reign at sea.
Behold you black and battered hulk
That slumbers on the tide,
There is no sound from stem to stern,
For peace has plucked her pride.
The masts are down, the cannon mute,
She shews nor sheet nor sail;
Nor starts forth with the seaward breeze,
Nor answers shout nor hail.
Her merry men with all their mirth,
Have sought some other shore;
And she with all her glory on,
Shall rule the sea no more.
So landsmen speak.—Lo! her top-masts
Are quivering in the sky
Her sails are spread, her anchor's raised,
There sweeps she gallant by.
A thousand warriors fill her decks;
Within her painted side
The thunder sleeps—man's might has nought
Can match or mar her pride.
In victor glory goes she forth,
Her stainless flag flies free,
Kings of the earth come and behold
How Britain reigns on sea!
When on your necks the armed foot
Of fierce Napoleon trod;
And all was his save the wide sea,
Where we triumphant rode:
He launched his terror and his strength,
Our sea-born pride to tame;
They came—they got the Nelson-touch,
And vanished as they came.
Go, hang your bridles in your halls,
And set your war-steels free:
The world has one unconquer'd king,
And he reigns on the sea!
Mr. Watts, the editor, besides the stanzas we have quoted,
has contributed indeed less than other editors, in similar
works, and much less than we could wish, for we are sincere
admirers of his plaintive muse. His preface should be read
with due attention, for it is calculated to set the public
right on the fate and merit of numberless works.