10. The Sea-Captain; or the Birthright. A Drama, in Five Acts. By the Author of "The Lady of Lyons," etc. New York: 1839. Harper and Brothers. 18mo. pp. 88.

THIS play may do very well for the stage; the plot is sufficiently exciting; there is the usual number of points, and much clap-trap in the author's accustomed manner, but there is nothing that can be called poetry.

It is one thing to write a thrilling novel or good acting play, and another to compose a genuine drama. The former may be done by of talent who knows the recipe, and will take the pains any person to acquire by practice the necessary mechanical skill; the latter demands genius, imaginative power, and all that is necessary to poeti cal creation in any other form. A drama may be defined as a poem in the form of an imitation of a real action; and dramatic poetry, as that in which the ideal is so realized as to justify itself, without a reference to the whole work in which it specially subsists. Hence, it is evident that the imitation of a real action in which the development of the action is the whole, and constitutes the whole interest, and no part of which is self-justified, is not a legitimate or poetical drama. For the application of these remarks, "the Sea-Captain" be may every

where referred to.

11. Letters on the Latest Form of Infidelity. By GEORGE RIPLey. Boston: 1840. James Munroe and Co. 8vo.

MR. RIPLEY has added to his letter to Professor Norton, published last autumn, two more, addressed to the same gentleman; and the three together form a very handsome octavo, under the general title given above. They pertain to subjects extremely importantthe principles, namely, on which the reception of Christianity depends; what is or is not potential infidelity and atheism; with a critical discussion of the opinions of Spinoza, Schleiermacher, and De Wette. At the late hour at which the volume has come to hand, it is impossible to do any thing like justice, either in the way of exposition, or critical judgment of the controversy between Mr. Ripley and Professor Norton. We must, therefore, leave it for the present, merely informing such of our readers as have not paid any attention to the subject, that it is a controversy between the Old and New school of Unitarianism; and while we think that as to the points in particular issue between these two gentlemen, Mr. Ripley has decidedly the advantage, yet, in a deeper view of the whole matter, they are not unlike combatants for an empty shell from which the living substance has departed.

ART. IX.-QUARTERLY CHRONICLE.

POLITICAL EVENTS ABROAD.-The affairs of the Eastern Continent are assuming in various quarters aspects of increasing interest. The state of things in the East is so extremely complicated, that it is difficult to form an opinion as to the turn which events will take. The Pacha of Egypt refuses to enter into the arrangements made by the Five Powers, or to abate any thing of his pretensions. It is believed that he is secretly supported by France. On the other hand, Russia, England, Austria, and Prussia, have agreed to maintain the integrity of the Ottoman Empire, and a joint demonstration of the Russian and British forces against the Pacha is understood to have been determined on, with a view of driving him from Syria and Arabia. According to the plan of operations laid down, Russia was to send a squadron to Constantinople, and at the same time a body of her forces was to enter Asia and menace Ibrahim Pacha; while a portion of the English fleet was to enter the Dardanelles, another portion to move upon Alexandria, and the remainder of the squadron to take possession of Candia. Certain it is, that Russia is making immense warlike preparations at Odessa, and at all the ports of the Black Sea. It is not unlikely she wishes to take advantage of the arrangements with England, Austria and Prussia, to put herself in readiness to improve any opportunities which may be offered to promote her old ambitious views with respect to the Turkish territory. M. de Pontois, the French minister, has demanded an explanation from the Porte of these movements on the part of Russia, and protested against the landing of any Russian forces in Turkey. It is reported, though not certainly known, that no answer has been given to M. de Pontois, and that all intercourse between him and the Turkish government has ceased.

In the meantime, measures of civil and political reform are actively proceeding in the internal administration of the Ottoman Porte. An edict has been issued directing the formation of municipal councils in the cities and large towns.

Central Asia. The Russians are pressing forward successfully in their war upon Khiva, which is on the direct route to Hindostan, and not far from Herat. It is now pretty clearly established, that the expedition against Khiva was undertaken solely for the purpose of overthrowing the British influence in central Asia. Persia is convulsed with rebellions, yet persists in her hostile feelings towards England, and is evidently ready for war. The Russian influence is predominant at the court of Teheran.-The chief of Herat has declined the assistance of the English against Persia. Cabool has been again threatened by Dost Mohammed Khan, and

the English army has received orders to return to that city to defend Shah Soojah-ool-Moolk. It is evident that his throne can be The Persians have sent large upheld only by the British arms.forces from Teheran into the provinces of Shiraz and Ispahan, ostensibly to suppress insurrections there, but it is supposed the real object is to drive the English out of the Persian Gulf. Russian troops have been landed within the Persian territory, greatly to the satisfaction of the Court of Teheran, from their being so posted as to embarrass the operations of the British near Herat.

The difficulties in China, growing out of the resistance of the government to the smuggling trade in opium, were spoken of in our last number. Since then affairs have arrived at a crisis which threatens to involve the Chinese Empire in a war with England. A vast amount of opium was seized and destroyed by the Chinese authorities. The English were obliged to leave Canton, and then Macao, and finally to take refuge on board their shipping. The British commander declared a blockade of the port of Canton; but upon protest against it being made by the American merchants, it was revoked. The irritation between the Chinese and English became very great, frequent affrays taking place.-At length, an attempt was made upon the British ship Volage, Capt. Elliott, in consequence of the latter refusing to deliver up a man for one of the natives who had been killed by the English. The British fired into the Chinese vessels, sinking five junks, and destroying about five hundred men.

The British government have determined upon a war with China, and have decided upon the plan for a vigorous campaign. A large body of native troops from India will be sent against Canton; and Admiral Elliot has been ordered to Singapore to superintend the naval operations against the Chinese.

In the meantime, Russia has dispatched an embassy to Pekin, and it is supposed the object of it is to encourage the Chinese to an obstinate resistance to the demands of the English.

Of English news received during the last quarter, the most prominent event is the marriage of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg. It took place on Monday, the tenth of February. It is noted, that the Duke of Wellington was the only member of the Opposition invited to the ceremony. Parliament have voted to the It is reported that the queen desired prince 30,000l. per annum. his allowance should be 100,000l., but ministers did not dare to move for more than 50,000l., in which they were defeated. The position of the ministry is thought to be precarious, and reports were current that Lord Melbourne would resign. On the motion of Sir John Buller, in the House of Commons, that the House has not confidence in the present ministry, the vote stood two hundred and eighty-seven to three hundred and eight, giving a majority for the ministry of

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twenty-one. Still, on several incidental questions, the Opposition have prevailed. On a motion to grant a retiring pension, the ministry were defeated by a majority of twenty-eight.

The violent and insurrectionary proceedings of the Chartists were carried to such an extent, as to require the strong arm of the military to back the civil force. A number of seditious leaders were seized at Newport, of whom three were convicted and sentenced to death. Their sentence was, however, commuted for transportation, and they have been sent to Van Dieman's Land.

France. Government has been carrying on its warlike operations. in Africa during the last quarter, but with no results of sufficient importance to be noted here. Blanqui, one of the conspirators against the king, was sentenced to transportation for life; his accomplices to imprisonment, for different terms, from three to sixteen years.

The most recent event of importance is the resignation of the French ministry, in consequence of being defeated in the Chamber of Deputies on the question of a dotation for the Duc de Nemours, on occasion of his contemplated marriage with a princess of the house of Coburg. The ministry found themselves in a minority of twenty-six, and immediately resigned in a body. The king applied to the Duke de Broglie to form a new administration, but he declined the attempt. M. Thiers was then sent for by the king; but up to the twenty-seventh of February, (the last dates,) a ministry had not been formed.

Spain is not yet quiet, though the news of the last quarter is more favorable for the establishment of the queen's authority. The provinces of Galicia, Toledo, and Ciudad Real, are represented as pacified. The forces of the queen are concentrated in Lower Arragon, and the government anticipates complete success in the ensuing campaign. The Cortes was opened on the 18th of February, by the queen in person, who directed the attention of that body to measures necessary to repair the resources of the kingdom, exhausted by seven years of war, and to various matters of legal and municipal reform.

POLITICAL EVENTS AT HOME.-Among the most interesting questions that have occupied the attention of Congress since our last number, is the Sub-Treasury Bill, which seems destined to become a law. Its provisions will be more properly presented at large, whenever the final action shall have been taken.

The disposition made by the House in relation to the contested seats from New Jersey, has created great interest throughout the country. A great portion of the time of the whole session has been consumed in discussion and party action on this subject. The duly

commissioned members having been excluded from their seats pending the decision of the title of the contesting claimants, the subject, after several weeks' debate, was referred to a committee, to report to the House which of the candidates had the largest number of lawful votes. This committee reported in favor of the Administration candidates. This report was accepted by the House, and Messrs. Vroom, Dickerson, Kille, Cooper, and Ryall, were admitted to the contested seats, until those who received the legal evidence prescribed by the constitution, and yet were rejected, shall be able to make good their claim. A counter report was presented by a minority of the committee, but the House refused to receive it. Some fourteen or fifteen members refused to vote on the question of admitting the non-commissioned members, and protested against the action of the House. At the time the report of the committee was presented and acted upon, the candidates having the legal commission from the State of New Jersey, were at home, collecting evidence in the case, under a pledge that the report would not be made without awaiting their return. Shortly after the vote of the House of Representatives, excluding the legally commissioned candidates, was taken, the legislature of New Jersey passed resolutions protesting against this subversion of her constitutional rights, which were forwarded to Washington, but the speaker of the House of Representatives declined presenting them to the House. Resolutions condemning the course pursued by the House of Representatives, have passed the legislatures of several states. It is deeply to be regretted, that the violence of party should lead to such a subversion of the constitution. The vote of the House, going behind the qualifications prescribed by the constitution, and refusing to admit provisionally to their seats, the members whose election was certified according to the laws of New Jersey, was a high-handed measure, overthrowing the constitution of the United States, in violation of the rights of the sovereign states, and contrary to all precedent

or usage.

A resolution has been passed in the House, excluding all petitions or memorials on the subject of the Abolition of Slavery. It was passed by a vote of one hundred and fifteen to one hundred and five. The following is the resolution:

"Resolved, That upon the presentation of any memorial or petition, praying for the abolition of slavery or the slave-trade in any district, territory, or state of the Union, and upon the presentation of any resolution, or other paper, touching that subject, the reception of such memorial, petition, resolution, or paper, shall be considered as objected to, and the question of its reception shall be laid on the table, without debate or farther action thereon.

“That no petition, memorial, resolution, or other paper, praying for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, or any state