RICHARD TEMPLE. (Left College, June, 1846.) Review.-Laman Blanchard's Sketches from Life 368 382 372 392 THE HAILEYBURY OBSERVER. Liberius si Dixero quid, si fortè jocosius, hoc mihi juris Cum venia dabis. Hor. Lib. 1. Sat. iv. 103. OCTOBER 4, 1843. "Disce, docendus adhuc, quæ censet amiculus." ANOTHER Term has again brought to us its cares and lectures, its joys and its "Observer." But of this latter, may we not well say quantum mutatus, and that too a change for the better. A step has been taken in the rank of the works of literature,-from an anomaly of publication, from a sort of pamphletized newspaper, we have risen into an externally legitimate Magazine. It may, perhaps, seem to be presumption in us thus to appear wiser than our predecessors, as if we affected to despise the solid merits of their now time-honoured productions. But far be such thoughts from us. We may wish to excel, but we can scarcely hope to more than rival their admirable performances. May we, however, have the praise, if, under our modest blue exterior, and in our improved print, a new spirit of interest and animation should be infused, corresponding somewhat to our emblematic advancement. The external change, however, of which all can judge, has been effected; the Second Volume of the "Observer" has been brought to a close, and this, the new one, commenced on a more brilliant scale. A reform, or rather an improvement, was certainly wanting somewhere. All must remember, but few can assign the cause for, the sudden stoppage of the "Observer," during the last Term. The steam had been got up, the train had started; one, and even two stations had been passed with almost the prescribed punctuality; but in vain did the eye of expectation await the carriage of fulfilment. Expectation led to alarm; alarm produced enquiry. But in what a state were they found? They themselves, the engineers, or, as we may call them, stokers-asleep! the fire extinguished, the steam blown off. Unfortunately, before the hour of investigation could arrive, one of the engineers had obeyed the laws of nature, another had committed suicide, -the third, uttering, or rather insinuating accusations against the conduct of the Joint-stock Collegiate Company, his masters, had voluntarily retired into privacy and obscurity. The charges brought by him, concerning a deficient supply of coals and water, have been, curious to state, hushed up. NO. I.-VOL. III. B Whether this conduct implied a consciousness of error in the Company, is an open question; they, however, appointed new officers of much practice and still greater promise, who having submitted the engine, which had grown somewhat rusty, to a complete and thorough repair, both within and without, are now ready for a start, as soon as a sufficient supply of water and coals,-that is, poetry and prose, or prose and poetry, shall have been laid in by their employers; all and each of whom they invite to lose no time in making at least an experimental trip in their now really handsome means of conveyance. But it is time to lay aside the language of metaphor, and at once assail and lay bare the uncompromising truth. We believe that the scarcity of contributions was owing to a misapprehension of the real objects of the "Observer." These have been elsewhere clearly stated by one of the most distinguished of our predecessors in office. With some modification of his opinions, we may say, that our first and principal motive is to induce the exercise of those powers which only want an opportunity to develope themselves;-to awake those powers of mind and thought which, from disuse, fall into a state of torpidity, but in action, quickly bring their own reward, in the consciousness of their utility. Our secondary object, which to many, nay, the majority, may seem the primary one, is that which hopes to edify and to amuse our readers, or, at least, to excite to emulation those whom a want of self-confidence, or a misplaced modesty has deterred from appearing in the ranks of Fame. Let them recollect, a contributor is still a reader; let them learn the increased interest with which he reads. We do, indeed, trust to a strenuous and willing support from our companions. Their numbers and their character justify our expectations. They may be sure that their contributions will be received with most open hands, with most lenient criticism. On one point alone would we offer any suggestion or advice. The rock on which the hopes of many are wrecked is-personality. No subject presents a more easy, or to the writer a more heartfelt theme. But to our readers, our public, none can be more unsatisfactory. Allusions are either ridiculed or mis-appreciated; and though a temporary triumph may reward the writer, that is, at least, but partial and mingled with disgust: a short time passes away, and it has ceased to please, or to provoke a smile but in contempt. Experience has confirmed this; and the articles in our former volumes which we still read with the greatest pleasure, are those of universal, or at least, a general collegiate interest, and of original and a truly intellectual merit. It is such material as this, which we both hope for and expect; that we may maintain and confirm our promises and expectations, that we may begin and carry on our new volume with increasing interest and more sterling value. AN ACCOUNT OF A MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT TO TWO UNDERGRADUATES ON THE CAM, DURING THE SECOND FROST OF 18-; THE STANZAS CONTRIBUTED BY VARIOUS CELEBRATED POETS. Quorum pars magna fui. [BYRON.] The winds of heaven are high, but Granta's wave Rolls not its turbid tribute to the main ; Full brittle was the ice I ween, As brittle as could be; Its bue the emerald's softest green, Yet not so green as we! [COLERIDGE.] With coats outspread to catch the wind, And as the breeze sprung up behind, We mizzled on before. [WORDSWORTH.] The ice was weak, full, full of holes, A sudden crash, and in we bowls [GOLDSMITH.] A bough was hanging from the bank, Both oak and ash and osier rank, And boughs of low degree. [WORDSWORTH.] That bough was torn with many a rent, For three it could not hold; And so it broke, and again we went Into the water cold. [SCOTT.] With foot and hand each one must strain, Ere he can reach the bank again And stand upon its brow; Change his damp robes for dry at last And talk of all his perils past In accents calm and low. Z. |