of rocks, and appearing to set cultivation at defiance.--_Brande's Outline of Geology_.
[2] John Britton and E.W. Brayley: in the Beauties of England and Wales, vol. iv.
[3] A poet of considerable eminence in his day, born at Tavistock, in the year 1590. He was noticed by Selden, Drayton, Brooke, Glanville, and Ben Jonson.
[4] Warner's Walk through the Western Counties.
* * * * *
_Libels on Poets._--Cicero tells us, Democritus and Plato said that there could be no good poet without a tincture of madness; and Aristotle calls poets madmen.--P.T.W.
* * * * *
THOU WERT THE RAINBOW OF MY DREAMS.
Thou wert the rainbow of my dreams, To whom the eyes of Hope might turn, And bid her sacred flame arise Like incense from the festal urn; But as the thunder clouds conspire To wreck the lovely summer sky, So Death destroyed the liquid fire Which shone so brightly in thine eye!
The cypress weeps upon thy tomb: But when the stars unfold their leaves Amid their bow'rs of purple gloom, More fervently my spirit grieves; And as the rainbow sheds its light In fairy hues upon the sea, So this cold world appears more bright When pensive Memory thinks of thee!
G.R.C.
* * * * *
LORD BYRON.
Translation of a letter written by Lord Byron, in Greek and Italian, to the Pacha of Patras.[5]
Highness.--A vessel containing several of my friends and servants, having been captured and conducted by a Turkish frigate to your fortresses, was released by your highness' command. I return you thanks, not for releasing a vessel bearing a neutral flag, and which being under British protection, no one had a right to detain; but for having treated my friends with great courtesy while at your disposal. Hoping it may not be unacceptable to your highness, I have requested the Greek Governor of this place to grant me four Turkish prisoners; which has been readily conceded. I send them therefore, free, to your highness, in order to return your courtesy as far as is in my power. They are sent without conditions, but if the affair is worthy of your remembrance, I would merely beseech your highness to treat with humanity such Greeks as are in your power, or may chance to fall into the hands of the Musselmen, since the horrors of war are sufficient in themselves, without adding on either side cruelties in cold blood.
I have the honour to be, &c.
NOEL BYRON, Peer of England.
_Missolonghi, Jan. 23, 1824._
[5] From a correspondent (E.), who believes that no English version of this letter has hitherto appeared in print.
* * * * *
WHEN WILT THOU RETURN?
When wilt thou return? The silver clouds are closing Like billows o'er the fairy path Of sunset there reposing; The sapphire fields of heaven, With its golden splendour burn, And purple is the mountain peak,-- But when wilt thou return?
When wilt thou return? The woods are bright with summer, And the violet's bower is grac'd With the rose--a queenly comer; The stars, that in the air Like ethereal spirits burn, Seem watching for thy steps,-- Oh I when wilt thou return?
When wilt thou return? The sheathless sword is idle, And each warrior from his steed Has thrown aside the bridle. Hark!--'tis the trumpet's call! With hope our bosoms burn; Its echo wakes the distant hills, Announcing thy return!
G.R.C.
* * * * *
ANECDOTE GALLERY.
* * * * *
RECORDS OF MY LIFE.
BY THE AUTHOR OF "MONSIEUR TONSON."
_Angelica Kauffman._
The person of this lady, by all accounts, was highly interesting, and her manners and accomplishments were peculiarly attractive. It is said that Sir Joshua Reynolds, who was thoroughly acquainted with human nature, and never likely to be deceived in his estimate of individuals, was so much attached to her that he solicited her hand. It appeared, however, that she refused him as she was attached to the late Sir Nathaniel Holland, then Mr. Dance, an eminent painter, whose portrait of Garrick in the character of Richard the Third is the best and most spirited representation of that unrivalled actor that ever appeared, though all the most distinguished artists of the time employed themselves on the same admirable subject. The correspondence that had taken place between Mrs. Kauffman and Mr. Dance became known, and was thought to be of a very interesting description, insomuch that his Majesty George the Third, who generally heard of anything worthy of attention, requested Mr. Dance would permit him to peruse the letters that had passed between them during their courtship. What put a period to an intercourse which, being founded upon mutual attachment, held forth so favourable a prospect of mutual happiness, has never been developed, and is only matter of conjecture. Mrs. Kauffman, after the termination of this promising courtship, went abroad, and was unfortunately deluded into a marriage with a common footman, in Germany, who had assumed
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