1829.] REVIEW.-Napoleon Buonaparte. of Marlborough or Wellington. As France had however become a nation of journeymen-devils, it pleased Providence that they should not be without the curse of a master-devil to draw them into useless waste of life and impracticable follies. For every innocent person sacrificed in revolutionary dæmoniacism, they lost twenty in conquest; and as they acted in imitation of Rome, they had, like that, though for less time, a temporary supremacy, and a final overthrow by Goths, Huns, and Vandals. It has always been the rule to oppose an invading enemy by taking up a strong position, and acting on the defensive. It is a manoeuvre which has rarely failed of success, from the time of Fabius to that of Wellington at Torres Vedras; and had been practised by Dumourier against the Prussians. But Napoleon probably thought that, under his lofty pretensions, it was a measure which his godship could not adopt, though in fact it was the only one which he could or ought to have taken, with a rational hope of escape from his perils *; because it induces starvation and desperation of the enemy. However, having in vain tried the effect of repeated battles, against generals who did not expect to conquer, only to wear him out, he resolved upon a measure which he thought, no doubt, would withdraw them from continuing their advance to the capital. He was, in fact, placed in such an emergency through these foolish battles, that whatever line of action he might adopt was at the best hazardous in the extreme. "Should he hasten after Blucher on the Marne, what was to prevent Schwartzenberg from reaching Paris ere the Silesian army, already victorious at Laon, could be once more brought to action by an inferior force? Should he throw himself on the march of Schwartzenberg, would not the fiery Prussian be at the Tuilleries long before the Austrian could be checked on the Seine ? There remained a third course, namely, to push at once into the country in the rear of the grand army; and to this there were sundry inducements. By doing so, he might possibly-such were still the Emperor's conceptions as to the influence of his name-strike the advancing Allies, both Robertson and others of our first historians, but the former especially, show the efficacy of this mode of defence. 581 the Austrian and the Prussian, with terror, and paralyse their movements. Were they likely to persist in their Hurrah on Paris (at this period the Cossack vocabulary was in vogue), when they knew Napoleon to be posting himself between them and their own resources, and at the same time relieving and rallying around him all the garrisons of the great fortresses of the Rhine? Would not such conduct be considered as entirely out of the question by superstitious adherents to the ancient technicalities of war? Would not Schwartzenberg at least abandon the advance, and turn to follow him, who still fancied that no one could dream of eon quering France without having ruined Napoleon? But even supposing that the allied powers should resist all these suggestions, and proceed upon the capital-would not that great city, with Marmont and hold the enemy at bay for some considerable Mortier, and the national guard, be able to Emperor fail to release his garrisons on the space; and during that space could the Rhine, and so place himself once more at the head of an army capable, under his unrivalled guidance, of relieving France, and ruining her invaders, by a great battle under the walls of Paris?" ii. 260. The success of this manœuvre entirely turned upon the force of Marmont and Mortier being adequate to resist the Allies in junction; but it was not, and so great a hazard should not have been run upon so gross a miscalculation. These professional branches of knowledge were not unknown to Napoleon; but, as he was not born among those "who will never be conjurors," he was by nature a conjuror, and was always conjuring, disdaining prudence, and thinking to effect every thing by magic. But, though he ultimately lost all by neglect of the first principle of generalship, caution, the glory of his history will be his tactics, for much of which he was, by the way, indebted to Marlborough. In his twelfth-night kings and queens, created during the Imperial Saturnalia, there was, however disputed, sound policy, for he never could have conciliated legitimate sovereigns; and envy no man can conquer. Ambition was his passion, and therefore mind was predominant in his character as a man. His body he treated with no more than unavoidable attention. He occasionally indulged in illicit amours, but he managed them with attorney slyness. Religion he had none, for he well knew that he had no 532 100. REVIEW.-Family of Brubazon. reasonable prospect of empire in another world. "There was," he said himself, "one God, and all the rest was human invention;" but, because his father was a Catholic, he declared upon his death-bed that he died one With men of his description, as with Cromwell, religion is only a staircase, by which they can ascend, and, others descend-they become rulers, and the others dupes. He was too irascible and coarse for a gentleman; but few wise men can take blunders with patience, or proud men be philosophically cool under them. But what of this? Lions roar, but do not whine like spaniels; and Napoleon was as much above Chesterfield, as Hercules was above Lycas. If a mountain bursts out into a volcano, it is in the course of things; it was never intended for a flower-bed in a garden. As to the book before us, written, we understand, by Mr. Lockhart, the son-in-law of Napoleon's former biographer, it is a beautiful piece of biography, full of instruction, judgment, taste, and effect. Extracts have been so frequent in the periodicals and newspapers, that they are unncessary; and, moreover, we do not believe that Buonaparte ever had his hair cut without thousands having assembled, and divided a hair apiece as a relic. His bridge of Lodi, his Marengo, all his public acts, are familiar even to the deaf, dumb, and blind; even to those who can neither hear, speak, or see. Every man, however, likes to have a print or a bust of so distinguished a person, from natural curiosity, though, excepting in his eagle. eye, he had more the look of an alderman than a hero. Hit or miss, therefore, we shall give the following account of his living at St. Helena: "He rose early, and, as soon as he was out of bed, either mounted on horseback, or began to dictate some part of the history of his life to Montholon or Gourgaud. He breakfasted à la fourchette, sometimes alone, sometimes with his suite, between 10 and 11 o'clock; read or dictated until between 2 and 3, when he received such visitors as he chose to admit. He then rode out, either on horseback or in his carriage, for a couple of hours, attended generally by all his suite; then read or dictated again until near eight, at which hour dinner was served. He preferred plain food, and ate plentifully. A few glasses of claret, less than an English pint, were taken during dinner; and a cup of coffee concluded the * O'Meara. [June, second and last meal of the day, as the first. A single glass of champagne, or any stronger wine, was sufficient to call the blood into his cheek. His constitutional delicacy of stomach, indeed, is said to have been such, that it was at all times actually impossible for him to indulge any of the coarser appetites of our nature to excess. He took, however, great quantities of snuff. aloud, or conversation, closed the evening. game of chess, a French tragedy read The habits of his life had taught him to need but little sleep, and to take this by starts; and he generally had some one to read to him after he went to bed at night, as is common with those whose pillows are pressed by anxious heads. A "Napoleon was elaborately careful of his person. He loved the bath, and took it at least once every day. His dress at St. Helena was generally the same which he had worn at the Tuilleries as Emperor-viz. the green uniform, faced with red, of the chasseurs of the guard, with the star and cordon of the Legion of Honour. His suite to the last continued to maintain around him, as far as was possible, the style and circumstance of his court." ii. 369. Genealogical History of the Family of Brabazon, from its Origin down to Sir William Brabazon, Lord Treasurer and Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, temp. Henry VIII, who died in 1562; the common an cestor of the Earls of Meath and of the Brabazons of Brabazon Park, by Elizabeth Clifford, of the illustrious house of Clifford; and thence from his younger son, Sir Anthony Brabazon, of Balinasloe Castle, Governor of Connaught, down to his present representative and heir male, of this branch, Sir William John Brabazon, of Brabazon Park, in the County of Mayo, Bart. now surviving. Paris, 4to. THIS curious genealogical volume has been compiled, for private distribution only, by Hercules Sharpe, of Black Halls, co. Durham, esq. from respect to the family of his lady, who is the sister of the present Sir William Jahu Brabazon, Bart. The noble family of Brabazon assumed that surname from the castle of Brabazon in Normandy, whence Jaques (or James) le Brabanson (called the great warrior) came to the aid of William Duke of Normandy in his conquest of England, as appears by his name being inserted in the roll of Battle Abbey. In this country the family flourished for many generations at Betchworth Castle in Surrey, and at Moseley and Eastwell in Leicestershire. 1829.] REVIEW.-Montgomery's Poems. Sir Roger le Brabazon, the fifth in descent from Sir James, was Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, and Constable of the Tower, 35 Edw. I. He acquired the manor of Sproxton in Leicestershire by marriage with the heiress of the Sproxton family. In 1534 Sir William Brabazon was appointed Vice Treasurer and General Receiver of Ireland. He was styled, by the Lord Chief Justice Aylmer," the man that prevented the total ruin and desolation of the country, and is extolled as the saver of the kingdom.". In 1543 he was constituted Lord Justice of the kingdoin. He married Elizabeth Clifford, descended from the illustrious family of Clifford Earls of Cumberland. He died at Knockfergus in Ulster in 1548, having his heart interred with his ancestors at Eastwell, and his body buried in St. Catherine's church, Dublin, where a monument was erected to his memory, which monument disappeared on the rebuilding of that church in the last century; but the inscription and a view of the monument were fortunately preserved in the Heralds' College, Dublin, and an engraving of the monument embellishes the present volume. Sir William left issue, by Elizabeth Clifford, two sons and two daughters; 1. Edward, created Baron of Ardee, whose son William was created first Earl of Meath, and was ancestor of the present Earl; 2. Sir Anthony, ancestor to the present Brabazons of Brabazon Park. Sir Anthony Brabazon, created a Bart. in 1797, married Anne, daughter of Sir Capel Molyneux, Bart. His son, the present Sir Capel, appears to have printed, for private circulation, a biographical memoir of his family, which has been abridged by Sir Egerton Brydges for the present volume. This "For is a most interesting article. two centuries and a half," says Sir Egerton Brydges," the Molyneuxes of Ireland may be said to have led a public life. Few pedigrees convey a more unbroken series of discriminate and individual characters. The memoirs of them transmit to us portraits as familiar as of our own acquaintance.” Sir Egerton Brydges has also contributed a most extensive genealogical table of the Cliffords, drawn up con amore, as may be supposed, from his own connexion with that illustrious house. 533 The Appendix contains many other curious articles; among which are, notices of the foreign families of the name of Brabanzon; and particulars as to the probability Barbansons of Hainault and those of England being of the same family. The arms are poorly executed in lithography, for which the Compiler apologizes. They would, in this country at least, have been much better executed in wood. We take leave of the Compiler of this volume, with thanking him for the pleasing results of his investigations into the history of the noble families with which he is allied by marriage. A Universal Prayer; Death; a Vision of us. It differs from the former by the addition of some short minor pieces, among the most beautiful of which we may notice the lines on the death of Mr. Canning, and the Spirit of Time.' In the Lines entitled Loneliness are the following beautiful thoughts: "When the heart is full, the overflow Of bliss, by being shared, is sweeter still. The very flowers that in the May breeze shake, Bloom out together; and the blessed stars But twinkle, tho' unseen, in blissful trines St. Paul, the first Christian Missionary at Athens. A Sermon preached for the benefit of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, at Corsham, Wilts, October 22, 1828; and published at the request of the Magistrates and Clergy there present. By the Rev. W. L. Bowles, Canon Residentiary of Sarum. 4to. pp. 20. THE talents of Mr. Bowles are thoroughly understood, and every virtuous mind will rejoice at finding them emSociety ployed in the service of the " for promoting Christian Knowledge," because to the proceedings of that Society no political evil can be attached, or their duty due to God be made a tool of sedition for destroying the duty due to Cæsar. Common place is out of the question in regard to the writings of Mr. Bowles, and he very ingeniously illustrates a curious passage in Scripture 534 REVIEW-Sermon by Rev. W. L. Bowles. concerning the unknown God, and the altar to his honour at Athens. He says, "We find a heathen writer,* in his graphical description of the country about Athens, speaking of this VERY ALTAR having this very inscription, with this difference, that, in Pausanias, the inscription is stated to be to the Unknown Gods;' in this account of St. Luke (the writer of the Acts of the Apostles) THE UNKNOWN GOD!' only is mentioned. But it has been a question to what deity of the ancient mythology could this altar have been supposed to be erected in this place? I shall therefore briefly state my own opinion. It will be observable, that St. Paul, taking occasion from the circumstance suggested by this INSCRIPTION upon THIS ALTAR, quotes an author apparently familiar to him, who in the Greek language had written a most singular and beautiful poem on the configurations of the stars, nearly as those configurations appear on our celestial globes. as "St. Paul, after speaking of the ALTAR,' which he had just seen, directs the attention of those who heard him to the contemplation of that awful BEING, darkly shadowed by this inscription, and he then refers the Grecians to their own eloquent writers, one of whom says, in him we live, move, and have our being.' He next quotes from another of their illustrious writers the following striking passage, certain also of your own poets have said, For we are his offspring.' The first sentiment is that of the most elevated of the philosophers of that country, in which the Apostle took this occasion to speak of the GOD and FATHER of ALL, adumbrated in the eloquent writings of PLATO; and who is the other Grecian writer to whom he refers? The author of that poem, which is a commentary on the sublime passage of the Psalms, The firmament showeth his handy work.' And what are the very first words of this beautiful and singular poem of Aratus? We are sprung from God!' the passage which St. Paul quotes occurs a few lines afterwards, For we are his offspring!' ་ The Unknown God' was then the Eternal Infinite Being, of whom some account had come down to the Egyptians, from the traditions of the Patriarchs, and it is well known as a matter of historical fact, that the philosophy of Plato derived its loftiest character from what he learned in that ancient land; from the same mysterious land ARATUS derived his knowledge of the configurations of the planets and starst. Thus "Pausanias." [June, we see there is an evident connexion and coherence between this ALTAR to the UNKNOWN GOD,' the sublime doctrines of PLATO concerning this Gon, and the description of the wonders of his power in the heavens, so distinctly described by Aratus, both of which writers St. Paul appeals to, in the city where these writers were held in the highest honour. From the contemplation of the GREAT GOD, the FATHER of all, the apostle with ardent feelings is naturally led to speak of the connexion in which MAN stands with reference to his great but UNKNOWN' Maker; that through the clouds around his throne this ALMIGHTY BEING may be discerned by those who confined to temples made by men's hands,' humbly seek him; that this great God, not as it were pointing to the glittering temple on the Acropolis, was not only the creator of the world, but would "JUDGE it, in righteousness, by that MAN, whom he ordained, whereof he has given assurance to all men, in that he hath raised him from THE DEAD.' "Before I proceed I must make another observation. The heathen philosophers, when they first heard the fearless Apostle marked, that he seemed to be a setter forth reasoning of JUDGMENT TO COME,' reof strange Gods.' The master of Plato § suffered death in consequence of this accusation, and in the same place. But the altar had been already erected concerning which the Apostle took occasion to speak; and, not to offend, he speaks of Jesus Christ the MAN ordained by God the Father to JUDGE the WORLD IN RIGHTEOUSNESS.' The UNKNOWN GOD had already been recognized at Athens, and indeed the knowledge of this infinite UNKNOWN GOD was veiled under the mysteries of Eleusis, derived also from that same country, from whence Plato derived his philosophy, and Aratus his ideas of the celestial sphere." Concerning the Suttee, or burning widows in India, we adduce for the notice of our readers the following beautiful passage: "I do not say if you have Christian hearts-oh, no! if you have only human hearts, exert yourselves to extend that gos +"The Phænomena of Aratus. It is remarkable that Theocritus, who lived also in Egypt, begins one of his poems with the same words as Aratus We have our EVER. " 1.829.] REVIEW.-Miscellaneous Reviews. pel whose still small voice' may be heard among the scenes of superstition and blood. May Christian mercy with Christian love, thus hold on their steady course, till this foul blot on the English Christian legislature, in a distant land, be washed away, till the still small voice' be heard to make the merciless pause and tremble; and if their ears be shut to that • still voice' in a country where English laws prevail, may the stern command of authority be heard, THOU SHALT DO NO MURDER. * "It has been said that we might lose India, if, with the gospel of peace in one hand, and the code of English justice in We highly estimate the talent of the BARRISTER who wrote the Portraiture of a Christian Gentleman, though we are astonished at his ignorance of the world, bad judgment and taste. If, as is proverbially said, "Honey catches more flies than vinegar," railing is not the best mode of reforming; and what reformations does he propose? These: I. That our statesmen should profane the Bible by interlarding their parliamentary speeches with biblical cant; i. e. by revival of the days of the Rump; II. That school-boys should be so harassed with the Bible as to take disgust, and treat it with contemptuous familiarity; III. That clergymen should be always bustling characters, theorists, and factionists; IV. That gentlemen should be in habits and manners fanatical preachers. That such follies as these will ever induce the gentry to set good example and patronise good conduct, we do not believe-only that it will either cause them to be sent to Coventry by their own class, or alienate them from religion in toto. We are happy to announce a third and much improved edition of that highly useful publication, The Clerical Guide, or Ecclesiastical Directory, by Mr. GILBERT, the compiler of the Clergymen's Almanack. It contains a complete register of the dignities and benefices of the Church of England, with the names of their present possessors, patrons, &c.; and lists of the patronage of various public bodies and high functionaries, highly interesting to expectants. The various new hurches are inserted in this edition. The Brighton Road Book, or Travellers' Pocket Companion, by J. GRAVES, is an useful guide to the recreators at that fashionable watering place. The Concise Arithmetician, or Accountant's Manual, has been drawn up for the * "Between five or six hundred of these innocent victims are burnt alive every year, from the age of four to twenty." 535 the other, we thus legislate in a country whose superstitions are inveterate! Lose India! what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul!' 6 RELIEVE THE OPPRESSED, PLEAD FOR THE WIDOW.' "It is death by the Gentoo laws to strike a Bramin; but he who in India inflicts that punishment for the crime, dies as a murderer by the laws of England. Yet INDIA IS NOT LOST! JUSTICE proceeds in her steady but calm course. In the case of women-of the young-of the helpless-of the innocent-shall it alone relax its uncom promising sternness!" senior pupils of schools who are intended for mercantile situations, and its contents will be found useful and not of frequent occurrence. The rule for finding 1 per cent. has received high commendation from several merchants and accountants. In a new edition, being the eleventh, of HUGH CLARK's Introduction to Heraldry, many improvements and additions have been made; among which may be particularly noticed the several orders of knighthood, and a dictionary of mottoes borne by the nobility and gentry, with English translations. This useful compendium appears to be truly deserving of the liberal support it has received for upwards of half a century. M. REICHARD'S Descriptive Road-Book of France, forms part of the useful and entertaining series of guides for travellers and tourists published by Leigh of the Strand. The new edition now before us is entirely rewritten, and exhibits many improvements and novelties. Mr. LEWIS POсock has addressed to the Legislature and the leading authorities of the City of London, some Considerations for the Removal of Smithfield Market to Islington. These seem to be the result of much consideration, and are highly deserving of attention, from the great inconvenience attendant on the market in its present situation, and from the nuisance of driving droves of oxen through crowded streets in every direction. Mr. Pocock recommends that ten acres of land should be purchased at Islington, and the spot, which is freehold, is to be procured, bounded by excellent roads, near Mr. Laycock's farm. Residence is to be provided for the clerk of the market, and convenient offices of every description for market keepers, money takers, &c. The expense attendant on a plan as proposed by the butchers would be £10,021. 11s. 8d. whilst the profit that would be derived from the plan here recommended by Mr. Pocock would be £19,028. 3s. 1d. making a difference of £29,049. 14s. 9d. annually. |