antic statue, and Edinburgh memorial of Britain's illusl," while London remains orresponding perfect effort to ame so illustrious.

of creating the opening now ning it "Trafalgar," after our ph on the ocean, originated the Fourth. To carry out the iption was opened, and a comsed, the Duke of Buccleuch icient aid as chairman. Unhe sovereign did not live to

Mr. Railton had the advantage of amending his first design. The other candidates perhaps had the same, but we do not know the fact. We should have been glad to have seen something that had more of novelty in the conception and less resemblance to what we possessed before. It is, however, to be hoped it will not remain incomplete. Many have regretted that the figure over the capital cannot be converted into lions to ornament the base.

The following is the comparative height of the principal columns in Europe:Order. Height to top of Capital. Diameter:

Paris

London

son's Monument Ditto

1st Design

Corinthian 156

2nd Design

Corinthian 162

PBELL, THE POET. admired poet Thomas Camp. e. He closed his earthly career last, at Boulogne.

bell was a native of Scotland. at Glasgow in 1777. So early as e years of age, he attempted y. In 1789, he left school to versity of Glasgow, where he ed an excellent Latin scholar, great distinction in a contest date twice as old as himself, any prizes, and in Greek he of all his fellow-students. lasgow, he became a tutor in in Argyleshire. Then among s of his native land he gave poetry, and proved one of its ul votaries. After some time o Edinburgh, where he became Dugald Stuart, and the leads of the University. It was produced his "Pleasures of then but twenty-one years of ne performance at once gave d for twenty years afterwards publishers between two and pounds annually. They had ven £10 for the poem. Aftereived some further remuneras allowed the profit accruing

a true word is spoken in jest," the proverb teaches; and an anecdote told of Campbell may be thought to indicate a feeling within not very favourable to those who had given his poem to the world. Being in a festive party at a period when the actions of Bonaparte were most severely condemned in this country, on being called upon for a toast, Campbell gave "The health of Napoleon." This caused great surprise to all the company, and an explanation was called for. "The only reason I have for proposing to honour Bonaparte," said he," is that he has had the virtue to shoot a bookseller." Palm, a bookseller, had recently been executed in Germany by order of the French chief.

In Germany, Camp p of the two Schle st noted literary and ad was fortunate eno y with the venerable st two years afterwa Campbell in the Ge dered very conside and his own indefatig dy. He eagerly rea et with, some of them pics, and suffered no tween himself and h emight chance to be. and lively temper

a

no means averse hich are so attractive istence, they were re the higher views of sued for recreation distract his attention great business of his life After remaining in ths, he came to Eng first time visited roduced his "Battle of Mariners of England," "In 1793, he man lady of Scottish des rsonal beauty. He the pleasant village of in a house looking this Gertrude o ritten. He soon after London, and subsequent ny, and spent some ti return, he undertook New Monthly Mag rose to great import In 1824 Campbell pu rie, a Domestic Tale,' f his works. Many pie me out in the same vol e the 'Lines to J. P. K Pitled the "Last Man mpbell, however, must Ons publications, wh merous, are stidion

After remaining three years in Edinburgh he resolved to visit the continent. He sailed for Hamburgh, and travelled through a great part of Germany and Prussia, visiting the universities, and acquiring a knowledge of German literature. From the walls of a convent he beheld a part of the field of Hohenlinden during that sanguinary contest, and proceeded afterwards in the track of Moreau's army over the scene of combat. This impressive sight produced the celebrated "Battle of Hohenlinden;" an ode which is as original as it is

spirited and stands by itself in British

d it was found that he had himself in cutting off the e slain horses, which he the vehicle, and drove on bell was also in Ratisbon and Austrian treaty saved nent-a most anxious mo

Campbell made the friendSchlegels, of many of the y and political characters, e enough to pass an entire erable Klopstock, who died terwards. The proficiency he German language was onsiderable by this visit, efatigable perseverance in -ly read all the works he f them upon very abstruse ed no obstacle to intervene and his studies, wherever to be. Though of a cheeremper and disposition, and erse from the pleasures active in the morning ot were rendered subservient ews of the mind, and were reation only, nor suffered ention a moment from the his life."

g in Germany thirteen to England, and then for sited London. There he attle of the Baltic," "Ye and," and his "Hohenlinhe married Miss Sinclair, sh descent, and of great

He established himself llage of Sydenham, and it looking on the reservoir trude of Wyoming" was on afterwards removed to sequently re-visited Gersome time in Vienna. On dertook the editorship of y Magazine, which under importance.

pbell published his 'TheoTale,' the least popular [any pieces of great merit ame volume, among which › J. P. Kemble,' and those ist Man.' The fame of er, must rest on his prens, which, though not o correct, and were ed that, while they remain purity in the English

SO

cunlain why thein

education, exhibited symptoms of an erring mind, which, on his return to England soon afterwards, ripened into mental derangement of the milder species. This disease, it is probable, he inherited on his mother's side, as on his father's no symptoms of it had ever been shown. After several years passed in this way, during which the mental disease considerably relaxed, so that young Campbell became wholly inoffensive, his father received him into his house. The effects of such a sight upon a mind of the most exquisite sensibility, like the poet's, may be readily imagined; it was, at times, a source of the keenest suffering."

To Mr. Campbell we owe the origin of the London University. He had thrice the honour of being elected lord rector of Glasgow in the university where he had formerly studied. His life, for the most part, was a prosperous, peaceable, and joyous career. He was associated with the ablest poets and most celebrated wits of the age. Though irritable, and sometimes not sufficiently cautious at the convivial board, every one gave him credit for kindly feeling, and regarded him as a most estimable character. Those who knew his virtues will fondly linger near his tomb. But while they mourn that he is withdrawn from this scene, they will perhaps be consoled, repeating his thoughts, so beautifully expressed in his "Last Man," and exclaim

"This spirit shall return to Him

That gave its heavenly spark;
Yet think not, sun, it shall be dim
When thou thyself art dark!
No! it shall live again, and shine

In bliss unknown to beams of thine!
By him recall'd to breath,

Who captive lead captivity.
Who robb'd the grave of victory,
And took the sting from death.

SELF-CONCEIT.

Amongst those follies which are nourished by mankind, few are more conspicuous than self-conceit. The learned in science, the renowned in literature, the ignorant, and the savage, are all blemished by its pleasing yet baneful influence. The false position in which individuals are placed by this feeling is not perceivable to themselves, but apparent to those with whom they associate. Without the unction of flattery, which panders to their weakness, it would not exist, excepting in a dormant state. There are very few persons

voicet adulation and if we honnon

to possess one quality on which we secretly plume ourselves, how gratifying it is to be applauded; and the flatterer at once possesses our regard. Should we possess the powers necessary to unite disquisitions on science, literature, the fine arts, politics, or religion, we are soon flattered into a belief of a fancied superiority, and while we have merely attained a decent mediocrity, yet we imagine we excel, and elevate ourselves above the common herd of mankind; for"Conceit in weakest bodies, strongest works."

An affected love for mankind will frequently induce individuals to dedicate their energies for the benefit of society; will impel them on to impair their worldly circumstances by wasting the "midnight oil" in attempts which, from their imperfect talent, are abortive; and, should they fail, they are astonished at the want of comprehension of mankind; yet if they truly analysed the cause, they would discover that they had been flattered into the conceit of being able to effect all they desired. An attachment to literary pursuits will often operate so as to mislead such persons, imaginations, until they conceive the most stupendous projects, in order to attain wealth and fame. If affected by the cacoethes scribendi, they luxuriate in poetic fiction, exhibiting bright thoughts, and well turned periods; and they suppose their jingling the acme of excellence in composition, whereas, for all practical purposes they are totally unsuitable. "Science, the partizan of no country, but the beneficent patroness of all, has liberally opened a temple where all may meet;" and self-conceit but too often enters this edifice with an idea that it can enlighten and instruct, and leave all competitors at an immeasurable distance. Conceit may flash like a meteor for a short time, but it is soon compelled to yield to real genius, and feed on its solid materials, which it frequently claims as its own. Socrates has said that "the surest way to the temple of wisdom is through the portals of doubt; and that he only knew one thing-his own ignorance." This is a beautifully expressed opinion of one of the greatest of ancient philosophers; conceit did not blind him; for he well understood his own powers; and it would be better for science and literature if there were more followers of this illustrious man, whose doctrine was, "that the more mortals know, the greater consciousness they have that they know nothing;" whereas the conceited modern philosopher pretends to universal knowledge.

A man may possess wealth, and he is soon flattered into a belief that the essence of all human virtue consists in opulence; and that all who do not possess dross are contemptible, powerless, and mean. Another

may conceive he has the power to compose sentences on particular subjects, and no music is so exhilirating as indirect or direct praise, and should he possess the power to make his dogmas known, he is astonished if people do not acknowledge his superiority.

Imperfect knowledge generally induces conceit, and no circumstance sooner cures this disease than enlightenment. The ingenious mind, that carefully examines the comparative amount of information it possesses will be modest in company, desirous of giving and receiving that "which never dies," and after this sublunary scene his researches are left as a beautiful legacy to mankind; while the hollow and superficial will generally be the noisiest declaimers, endeavouring to hide their ignorance by an attempt at ridicule, or insufferable tinsel; in fine, they are dressed in a “suit of tawdry qualifications which nature never intended them to wear;" and instead of attempting to increase their own knowledge or add to the information of others, they are, by the intelligent community, considered as pests to society, and permitted to pursue their vagaries amidst silent contempt; but, unfortunately, such persons are not sensitive, but impervious to those finer feelings of humanity which real knowledge inspires, cherishes, and refines.

IRELAND.*

"The necessity calls for the assistance of public measures and of a paternal government. It calls for the cordial co-operation of all classes; it is a question between illimitable taxation for pauperism and the punishment of crime, or the proper guidance and employment of the essentially agri cultural population of Ireland."- SIMPSON'S Defence of the Landlords of Ireland.

DRAINAGE.

A very remarkable non sequitur, remarkable yet not uncommon, occurs in a work just published, from the pen of Dr. Rolph, "On the Systematic Colonisation of British Canada:-"The canals, the railroads, the public roads, the aqueducts, the viaducts, the bridges, the harbours, the villages, the towns and cities in America, are principally the result of Irish industry; and a moment's reflection must convince any one, that they would subjugate the forest fully as well as the French habitan; and I am quite per suaded, would cultivate the land with far more diligence, neatness, and success. It is, then a matter of great moment"-what? that these 'faithful, devoted, loyal, improv¡ng, and valuable subjects of the Queen,' as

*Second Annual Report. Drainage, Ireland. (Act 5 and 6 Vict. cap. 89. Royal Assent, 5 Aug., 1842.) Presented to both Houses of Parliament, by com mand of Her Majesty, April 20, 1844.

On the Construction of Wooden Railways for General Purposes of Communication, and more partiready established. London, J. King, 1843. cularly as feeders to the great lines of railway al

our author describes them, should forthwith be employed in the construction of canals, railroads, public roads, aqueducts, viaducts, bridges, harbours, villages and cities on the glorious tabula rasa of their native Ireland? No such thing" that they should take the first occupation offered on their arrival in Quebec, and have no difficulty in settling in Upper Canada."

acres,

as

There are few old women who have not at one period or other of their lives needlessly distressed themselves with a search for the spectacles which were already on the unconscious nose. Great Britain, in her search for new markets and new fields of enterprise, has been not less blind to the market at her very door. While the League on the one side, and Agricultural Protection Societies on the other, have been fighting out the question of extending our foreign relations at the risk of depreciating the property of the English landowner, while the Charles Buller party have endeavoured to compromise the matter by directing attention to the systematic colonisation of our distant, even antipodal, possessions; and Mr. Coningsby and the Times have discovered that Conservatism without maypoles will not conserve-all parties have entirely forgotten that Ireland is but partially cultivated; that in reclaimable well as civilizable savages, she possesses equal attractions with some of the backwoods of America, with the inestimable advantage of proximity. But instead of reclaiming the soil, or that moral wilderness which has been no less fruitful in weeds, one party has grown fat and ambitious upon the very evils of Ireland, while English politicians of all parties have endeavoured to promote its civilisation and happiness by appropriation clauses, and regis tration bills, and mere legislation. The present government, more especially the practical Premier, appear at length to have become awake to the immense importance of Ireland as a field for commercial investment and agricultural enterprise; the only drawback, now, is the inertness of the Irish landlords, and even here also there are, now, some encouraging symptoms. commissioners for the drainage of Ireland have officially stated, that nearly 50,000 acres, to begin with, might be at once protected from liability to flood, and be made to return from 9 to 19 per cent. on judicious investment. Since the passing of the Drainage Act in 1842, they have received several applications from land-owners, with deposits amounting in the aggregate to about £1500, out of an estimated expenditure of £150,000, the districts embracing, in Leinster, the Blackwater river, the Ballytigue Lough, Ardee, Athboy river, Kilmannock, the Loughans, the Glyde and Lagan rivers, Brusna river, Camlin, Cahore,

The

and Dodder; in Munster, the south slob of Cork, Templemore and Burrisokane in Tipperary; and in Connaught, Islandmore and Oranhill in Galway, and the Strokestown and river Lung districts of Roscommon. Of all these, surveys have been made, and a preliminary report printed and distributed, while Lough Corrib, one of the most important districts of colonial Ireland, and upon which a very important correspondence lately appeared between Sir Robert Peel and the marquis of Clanricarde, will be surveyed and reported on forthwith.

From the summary, then, it appears, that nearly 50,000 acres have been surveyed, and measures devised for their improvement, including works extending along near 300 miles of river drains; the remaining districts from whose owners applications for survey have also been received, amount to 25,000 acres. It is to be observed, however, that perfect unanimity on the part of all the landowners has not yet been arrived at; and it is possible that objections and dissents may thwart the great national work, unless, which is hardly to be hoped, a vigorous government will disregard individual opposition for the sake of national benefit.

The objects provided for by the provisions of the Drainage Act, embrace the drainage of flooded and injured lands along rivers, and lakes, and wastes, in the interior of the country; embankment of lands from the sea; the conservancy of river navigation, and the improvement of mill-power.

The greatest difficulty in the way of analysing or thoroughly apprehending the purpose and utility of the proceedings of this commission is its relation with various other Irish improvement commissions, the number of which perhaps unjustly attaches to each new one the suspicion of a job. There is an Irish bog commission, as well as this Irish drainage commission; a Shannon navigation commission an Irish public work commission; a landlord and tenant commission, and others; besides, all necessarily intruding into each other's province. However, we can readily give credence to the statement of the commission under review that "the information already obtained, coupled with that contained in the Bog Commissioners' reports, indicates an almost unparalleled state of neglect of these districts, which will be found to form no inconsiderable proportion of the lands available for agricultural purposes, particularly throughout the central or interior parts of Ireland:" and yet these very lands, adds the report, "are well known to be amongst those capable of being most economically brought into a highly productive state of cultivation.

EVILS AND REMEDIES.

We learn from the Report that not only

causes,

e scarcely conceivable in the where agricultural improveanufactures have made so in advance. Dams and banks, iginally erected for raising a for small mills, and massive ced across river-courses, with enings for the taking of eels, m time to time increased in it, to such an extent, that in s, their level is higher than of the land on the banks of ve them, which is thus rento flood on the occasion of the river. In this way, the tracts of land becomes anorated, and their crops, in es, are totally lost, whilst the of the small mill or cel-weir es not exceed a few pounds; happens that a more valuable id an equally efficient mode of may be obtained in the same ut producing any such injuries. of the removal of these obd the general improvement of ises at length to be urged on nd practical method. One of ous friends which Ireland ever

2nd Class. 3rd Class. S. d.

8. d.

8. d.

The first class fares in Belgium being thus exactly the same as the third class England.*

Je construction of 1 ed, are fully met erred to: and, alt too late to interfe

4 investments in
of Ireland appe
mising field for e

e introduction of
On wooden roads
ity of which is i
re referred to, stea
a speed of thirt
hile the first cost
415,000 to £70,000
Toden line would no
expense.

To the enormous disproportion in the prime cost of construction is principally attributed this commensurate disproportion of fares. It, therefore, becomes a question of first importance as regards Ireland, which in traffic must for some time to come be far behind England, how to reduce this first cost of construction, especially in subsidiary and branch lines. Whilst it is to be acknowledged that the Ulster line has been constructed at a less expense, the Dublin and Kingston has cost more than almost any line in Great Britain-viz., £70,000 per mile. It has occurred to many persons interested in the prosperity of Ireland, that it would be the wisest economy, for Irish branch lines at least, to adopt either the principle sanctioned by Parliament on the Guildford Junction line the employment of metallised wood instead of iron for the rails-or to lay down wooden tramways metallised by the same process; thus greatly reducing the prime cost, with the security of a perfectly durable as well as safe mode of transit. It may be men tioned that by the Dublin and Cashel Railway Bill, the owners of adjoining lands will be empowered to construct branches to the main line.

Earl of Charleville, has put his he wheel, has drawn together ts of the central districts of Irelained to them the great imThe question of Irish reclamaole of Ireland. In a corresponir Robert Peel which appears er Express of Saturday last, of which the Premier states no public matter in which he er interest than in those conthe internal improvement of means of the energetic co-ope-sons interested in that great Charleville mentions that in istrict alone, "the quantity of covered by reducing the river level, would exceed eighteen sh acres, mostly alluvial." This ce, and the speech of the nobleto, are of more value than all ion Hall or House of Commons of the last twelvemonth, and the hands of every friend of

tion with the drainage of Irebject of railways cannot be Whether as regards its prination, or the development of ial resources, no consideration

It is well known that in the year 1831, &

WOODEN

It is to be acknowl

ben metallised, will
erties of iron; and, a
shown that the fla
comotive wheels, th

de wooden rail. T
as given birth to a
, as it were, grow
resented by the exp

e purposes to which
ght be made subse
evel wheel of Mr.
sedes the use of th
Potects the wood fi
gives a new se
sengers by railwa

ods.

A series of exper Adelaide Gallery, Fooden railway, pr od, established the In the first place taining pressure: ch, three inches aches and a half, pressure of 140 tons, To wheel four feel aches in

*[Appendix to 5th Report from Select Committee on Railways, (p. p. 552.) page 5.]

+ A detailed account of the process here mentioned anneared in the May number of this maga