448

then,

Minstrel, were they given to men.
What though the body sink to rest,
Like weary babe on nurse's breast,
And to its kindred dust return,
There lives a spark which still shall burn.
Nor can this spark, howe'er defin'd,
Psyche, or spirit, soul or mind,
Offspring of an eternal sire,
Like things of grovelling dust expire.
Then, Christian minstrel, sing not so,
Man is not born to gloom and woe;
Sure as he lies down he shall rise,
And gain his proper home-the skies
And though he here shed tears of pain,
He shall not ever weep in vain,
A friend of Virtue's endless meed,
He walks the path by Heaven decreed,
Cheer'd by his glorious destiny-
Life, light, and immortality.

88. Friendship's Offering, for 1826. Lupton Relfe.

SO

THE spirit of competition amongst these rival publications ensures much excellence in their execution, that we know not which to prefer. "Friendship's Offering" has only recently come into the hands of its present Editor, Mr. T. K. Hervey, author of "Australasia," and he has entirely changed its character and plan, both evidently for the better, as he has been enabled to admit a greater variety of articles from writers of no mean fame. The Editor has himself furnished him nine poems; others have been contributed by Mr. Bowles, Mr. Jerdan, L. E. L. Bernard Barton, Washington Irving, Horatio Smith, &c. Four new Poems by the author of "The Seasons," are inserted from the originals in the possession of the Earl of Buchan.

Nothing can exceed the brilliancy of the embellishments. They are engraved by Finden, Fry, and Thomson, &c.; but the View of Rouen we consider a failure. "Country and Town" are well contrasted in the following verses by Mr. Horatio Smith: Horrid, in country shades to dwell! One, positively, might as well

Be buried in the quarries;

No earthly object to be seen
But cows and geese upon the green,
-As sung by Captain Morris!
One's mop'd to death with cawing crows,
Or silent fields; and as for beaux,
One's optics it surprises
To see a decent animal,
Unless at some half-yearly ball,
That graces the assizes.

O! the unutterable bliss
Of changing such a wilderness

For London's endless frolic!
Where concerts, operas, dances, plays,
Chase, from the cheerful nights and days,
All vapours melancholic!

There, every hour its tribute brings;
The future comes on golden wings,
Some new delight to tender;
And life,-depriv'd of all alloy,-
Is one unceasing round of joy,
Festivity and splendour.

So cries the rural nymph! while they,
The wearied, disappointed prey

Of London's heartless riot,
Sick of the hollow joys it yields,
Gladly, withdraw to groves and fields,
In search of peace and quiet.
O! happiness!-in vain we chase
Thy shadow, and attempt to trace

Its ever-changing dances;
Like the horizon's line, thon art
Seen on all sides,-but sure to start
From every one's advances!

89. An Appeal to the British Nation on the Humanity and Policy of forming a National Institution for the Preservation of Lives and Property from Shipwreck. By Sir William Hillary, Bart. Author of a "Plan for the Construction of a Steam Life Boat, and for the extinguishment of Fire at Sea, Suggestions for the Improve ment and Embellishment of the Metropo lis, and a Sketch of Ireland in 1824." 8vo. pp. 63. third edit.

IF it were not for rocks and shores, against which the sea breaks a vessel, like a mere egg-shell, we are satisfied that ships might be constructed, which, if there were sea-room, would baffle the violence of storms. Many modes of escape, when a ship is on shore, might also be devised, by taking, as experiments, the accidental means by which many have saved themselves, and improving upon them. The institution formed by the generous exertions of the Honourable Baronet, has the object of inviting ingenuity to exert itself, in this way of preserving life, and we heartily wish it success.

90. The

1825.]

90. The Life of John Sharp, D. D. Lord Archbishop of York. To which are added, Select, Original, and Copies of Original Papers in three Appendixes. Collected from his Diary, Letters, and several other authentic testimonies. By his son, Thomas Sharp, D.D. Archdeacon of Northumberland, and Prebendary of York, Durham, and Southwell, Rector of Rothbury. Edited by Thomas Newcome, M. A. Rector of Shenley, Herts, and Vicar of Tottenham,

Middlesex. 2 vols. 8vo.

THE following short pedigree will

anuounce the descent of the Archbishop:

Mrs. Andrew-Boult Sharp, wife of the Rev. Andrew-Boult Sharp, of Bamborough in Northumberland, and daughter to Mrs. Sharp, of Clare Hall, Hertfordshire, is now the sole heiress of both the name and blood of Sharp, being niece to John Sharp the Archdeacon, and great-granddaughter of the Archbishop.

The father and mother of Dr. Sharp were of opposite political and religious opinions. The father was a Puritan and Parliamentarian; the mother a Loyalist, and friendly to the Liturgy. They had the good sense not to let their respective creeds destroy their private peace, and the son acquired benefit from both. From the father he derived devout habits, rigid Calvinistic predestinarianism (which he afterwards shook off), and the habit of writing short hand," in order to take down in notes" the preachments of those times. His mother imbued his mind with a love for the letter of the Liturgy, and monarchical principles. He was sent to school at Bradford, and at the age of fifteen admitted, on April 26, 1660, of Christ's College, Cambridge. Besides the usual course of reading, he studied Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, and GENT. MAG. November, 1825.

449

ship, "his graceful, distinct, and Though disappointed of a fellowproper manner of reading the lessons out of Scripture, in the College Chapel, while he was B. A." gained him the friendship of Dr. Henry More, a great divine and philosopher. He accordingly recommended him to Sir Heneage Finch, then Solicitor General, as his domestic Chaplain and tutor to his sons. This was the foundation of all his future preferments; for Sir Heneage procured for him the Archdeaconry of Berks, at only twenty-eight years of age; and when he became Lord Chancellor, gave him a prebend of Norwich, and the living of St. Bartholomew, Exchange, which he subsequently resigned for that of St. Giles in the Fields. Soon after which he married.

Upon the accession of James the Bigot in 1685, he was appointed Chaplain in Ordinary to his Majesty; but / in 1686 incurred the Royal displeasure for treating upon some points in the Romish controversy in the pulpit. A curious result attended this affair. The Bishop of London refusing to suspend the Doctor, was himself suspended instead, for that very refusal. The Romish Priests tampering with his (Sharp's) parishioners, he properly exposed the errors of their Church, and the priests in revenge libelled him with the basest misrepresentations. These brought upon him an accusation of sedition, treason, and rebellion, and James wrote to the poor Bishop of London to suspend him. However, "the silencing the Doctor was not so much the thing intended, as to get a handle against the unfortunate Bishop, who was soon after cited before the Ecclesiastical Commission. Oddly enough, a man remarkable for the fewness of his good actions, Lord Chancellor Jéfferies, was very civil to him, and (the Bishop of London being safe in the trap) advised Dr. Sharp to petition the

King

King for restoration to the exercise of his function. We doubt not but his motives were good in this petition, for after his resumption of duty, he opposed Popery, and refused to read the King's declaration. When the mine exploded (the bloodless gunpowder plot which blew up the Papists in their turn), the Doctor made a kind visit to the ex-Lord Chancellor Jefferies, then in the Tower.

“My Lord was not a little surprized at his constancy, as appears by his salutation of him at his first entrance into the room, in these words: What, dare you own me now The Doctor seeing his condition judged he should not lose the opportunity of being serviceable to his Lordship, as a Divine, if it was in his power to be so; and freely expostulated with him upon his public actions, and particularly the affair in the West. To which last charge his Lordship returned this answer, I that he had done nothing in that affair without the advice and concurrence of ......' Who now,' said he, is the darling of the people. His Lordship further complained much of the reports that went about concerning him, particularly that of his giving himself up to hard drinking in his confinement; which he declared was grounded upon nothing more than his present seasonable use of punch to alleviate the pressure of stone or gravel, under which he then laboured." P. 97.

There might be no keeping out of scrapes in those times, but there is no

reasonable excuse for Dr. Sharp in the following incident. After the abdication of James, he preached before the House of Commons a sermon written in the time of King Charles, and in it prayed for King James, and against the deposition of Kings. However, the blunder was forgotten; he gained favour with King William, and was made Dean of Canterbury. Upon the deprivation of the non-conforming Bishops, he nobly refused to fill one of the vacate sees (because he thought they could not be legally ejected), which rejection was ascribed by William to a principle, which did not recommend him to his Majesty, who was not a little disgusted."

Dr. Sharp, by his interest with Lord Chancellor Nottingham, had however procured for Tillotson, in former times, a Residentiaryship of St. Paul's, and

The

rendered him other services. closest intimacy had subsisted between them; and Tillotson, who was grieved at his friend's refusal of a bishoprick, laid a scheme for raising him (Dean Sharp) to the archiepiscopal see of York, when it became vacant. This, Tillotson said, was an expedient of his to take off the King's displeasure, as that would be done by his promising to take the see. Within a fortnight after this, Archbishop Lamplugh died, and Dr. Sharp succeeded him.

PRESENT STATE OF LITERATURE.

Continued from p. 354. ANNUAL PUBLICATIONS have recently started into life and vigour with a suddenness almost as great as that of the birth of twopenny works. Some of the graver class indeed were still in existence when Mr. Ackermann commenced his "Forget me Not;" but in general they had fallen behind, and become obscure. The summons of Ackermann recalled ANNUALS to fresh life, and since then every year has added two or three new ones to the list, under the titles of "Friendship's Offering" "The Graces" (now" The Literary Souvenir"); "Remember Me," &c. &c. Two new ones have been already announced for November, one of a religious cast, the other on the usual plan, with the exception of the embellishments, but to be published at Edinburgh, and entitled "Janus." Of all this class the Forget Me Not" and "Literary, Souvenir" claim the pre-eminence both

เน

in plates and contents. "Friendship's Offering" also is very creditable to the editor and publisher. "The Spirit of the Public Journals," edited by Westmacott, of "Gazette of Fashion and English Spy" notoriety, consists of selections from the periodical publications of the preceding year. It is deserving of patrouage, although infinitely inferior to what it might be in able hands. To introduce Geoffrey Crayon's "Bold Dragoon," it is foolishly extracted from "The News of Literature and Fashion!" Some ancient jokes are likewise quoted from the holes and corners of the newspapers into which they have crept. En passant, the story of "The Ghost" in Jackson's Four Ages, copied, without acknowledgment, into at least a dozen works, and from thence into a dozen others, was lately inserted in a morning paper, with an observation at the end, that the story was good, and though it had not hitherto appeared in print, was worthy of preservation. "Oh face of triple brass!"'

AS

As it would be wholly useless and unentertaining to comment on the heaps of Diaries, Almanacks, Pocket-books, &c. which annually spring from the fertile hotbeds of Messrs. Poole and Marshall, we pro

ceed to

WEEKLY REVIEWS. Of these "The Literary Gazette" is the principal. The extent of its literary information, and the many works it notices, are its principal support. The Literary Chronicle" follows, and enjoys nearly an equal portion of ap plause. "The News of Literature and Fashion" is somewhat of a different cast, as the beau monde is the principal subject of its articles. An attempt was made a little time ago to establish another, entitled "The Phoenix." Amongst the defunet works of this sort are "The Literary Journal" and "The Literary Register."

STAGE ANTIQUITIES. "Researches on the Costume proper to be adopted in Shakespeare's Plays," have appeared for some months. The undertaking is praiseworthy. The author is Planche, the dra matist. The illustrations are not surpassingly excellent.

CRIMINAL JURISPRUDENCE. Six thick volumes on the plan of the "Causes Celèbres," and under the title of "Celebrated Trials," have recently made their appear

ance.

It is much to be regretted that some man of ability does not devote himself to such a work. The present is not at all equal to the expectations it caused, and does no honour to the editor.

ANECDOTAL LITERATURE is at present in all its glory, as volumes of it are almost daily published by Messrs. Knight and Lacy; but this is not to be wondered at, after the great success of "The Percy Anecdotes," which has, luckily, not glatted the market. The latter are now reprinting by Cumber

land.

MEMOIRS are at present scarce in English Literature; although the French possess them in abundance. Those of Madame Genlis are translating as the volumes come across the channel; but they excite no great interest. It is a pity that many interesting French works are not "done into English." Barantes' "Ducs de Bourgogne" is worthy of the honour. Mazure's "Revolution de 1688," and the "Theatre de Clara Gazul," are announced.

SHAKSPERIAN LITERATURE is, as usual, bighly cultivated. A new edition has lately appeared, which contains all his plays and poems, a life, accounts of all the novels and other sources from which the plots of his dramas have been taken, with their chronological order -a dissertation on his clowns and fools-an account of his dramatic contemporaries-a description of the theatre in his time (with plates)-lives of the original actors in his plays, and of the performers who have since distinguished

451

themselves in, his characters (with copperplate portraits) — ―an account of the Shaksperian reliques, the original dedication and verses to the Players' Edition, the commendatory verses, Dr. Johnson's preface, notes, &c. A new edition by the Rev. William Harness, in eight volumes, is also announced.

THE ARTS AND MANUFACTURES are about to be illustrated by a magnificent work by Dr. Birkbeck, which, in shilling weekly numbers, will occupy four years in publica tion! Numerous engravers (amounting to more than fifty) have been for some time engaged on this work, which is to appear in January. A publication now defunct, entitled "The Circulator," paid some attention to this subject. At present there is no work which does so in particular, with the exception of "The Trades" and "The Mechanics" Newspapers.

The NEWSPAPERS are too important a subject to be entered upon at present. It may however be mentioned, that new ones have been commenced, one of which was on a singular plan, being supported entirely by advertisements, and distributed gratis to the public. The late Act respecting this species of publication gave it a check, by imposing a stamp on it; but it still continues its existence.

Ready for Publication.

The History of the Church of England during the reign of King Henry the Eighth, in two large volumes octavo. By HENRY SOAMES, M. A. Rector of Shelley, in Essex.

A Critical Essay on the Writings of St. Luke, translated from the German of Dr. Frederie Schleiermacher; with an Introduction by the Translator, containing an Account of the Controversy respecting the Origin of the three First Gospels since Bishop Marsh's Dissertations.

The Holy Inquisition, being an Historical Statement of the Origin, Progress, Decline, and Fall of that infamous Tribunal. Originally written in Latin, by Philip A. LIMBORCH, D. D.; re-modelled and enlarged by C. MACKENZIE.

The Reign of Terror; containing a collection of authentic narratives, by eye-witnesses, of the horrors committed by the Revolutionary Government of France under Marat and Robespierre.

The History of Lymington and its immer diate neighbourhood; with a brief Account of its Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral Productions, &c. &c. By DAVID GARROW, of St. John's College, Cambridge.

Tavern Anecdotes, and Ren.iniscences of the Origin of Signs, Clubs, Coffee-houses &c. &c. Intended as a Lounge-book for Londoners and their Country Cousins.

Early Metrical Tales, including the His

tory