that it was in form a woman; or that it carried " siller cup in her hand; but as we have seen the old stories of the sea-snake, verified by modern observation, so modern observation may be able, if properly exerted, to determine, in consequence of what causes this disastrous "Mer maid" was distinguished. It seems that her appearance was flattering but fatal: she was seen in a calm, but a storm soon followed she smiled to betray, and caressed to destroy. We gather this from a couple of stanzas, describing the sentiments of a company at sea: Then up an' cam a Mermaid, Wi' a siller cup in her han': "Sail on, sail on, my gude Scotch lords, For, 'en your face we've seen the day, Dry lan' we'll never see." These stanzas have no relation to the following poem, which we have selected as a specimen; other than a general reference of temptation to destruction, by delusion and blandishment. THE MERMAID. This beautiful piece of poetry, was recovered from the recitation of a lady, who heard it sung by the servants in her father's family, above fifty years ago. It is believed, notwithstanding some modern expressions, to be very ancient. The lady mentions, that it was formerly popular on the Carrick coast of Ayrshire. It bears a striking resemblance to the following fragment, in Pinkerton's collection : Whar yon clear burn, frae down the loch, There latelie bathed, in hete o'nune A squire of valour hie. He kend nae that the fause Mermaid I trow, that dreirie day. Nac suner had he deft + his claiths, Nae suner 'gan to swim, Aboon the glittering stream. Ye sall hae pleasance o'ilk sort, "I'll tak' you to my emraud ha' Wi' perles lighted round, Whar ye sall live wi' luve and me, And neir by bale be found." Mr. Pinkerton however, in his Preface to the Maitland Poems, asserts that it was written wholly by himself; but without calling in question that gentleman's acknowledged veracity, it will readily be allowed, that the coincidence is such, that it can only be accounted for on the supposition, that the fragment was composed from the indistinct recollection of the story, which he may have heard in childhood. The second line literally stood thus,— "Hides mony an elf an' plum," which, as I did not understand, I took the liberty of altering. Since writing the above, I have seen Mr. Jamieson's Collection of Popular Ballads and Songs, which contains the "Water-woman," a translation from the German of Goethe, exactly similar in the story, and nearly so in description with the "Mermaid; " I do not know at what period the "Water-womm" first made its appearance, but should be inthat it was not imitated from Pinkerton's frag clined to suppose, from internal evidence, ment, which, among other things wants the catastrophe. THE MERMAID. To yon fause stream, that near the sea And sparklin' to the light: Whan as he laved, sounds cam sae sweet, Frae ilka rock an' tree, The brief § was out, 'twas him it doomed Frae 'neath a rock, sune, sune she rose, Stopped in the midst, an' becked¶ and sang Gowden glist the yellow links, That round her neck she'd twine; Her een war o' the skyie blue, Her lips did mock the wine; The smile upon her bonnie cheek Sa: couthie, couthie did she look, Fast in the swirl | he screeched, The Mermaid leuch, her brief was gane, glish Translations, in Poetry and Prose, rom the Greek Poets and Prose Authors; posisting of a Chronological Series of the Jost valuable, scarce and faithful Trausnions extant, and of several never before ublished, &c. with selected and new Totes, entirely English. By Francis Lee, .M. Royal 8vo. Vol. I. Part I. Hesiod. rice 6s. Miller, London, 1808. We take this opportunity of com. iding the intention of collecting transps of the ancient Greek authors into series; and of presenting them in a orm and convenient edition to the ish public. We heartily wish the or success in a work of such extent, ur, and cost; and therefore shall allow to explain his intentions in his own uage. from the best authorities throughout various ancient authors. It may be found of the greatest use towards assisting the memory, and rendering easy a subject otherwise most intri cate and perplexed. What more may be requisite to be observed will be reserved for the prefaces and notes te the different volumes. From perusing these ancient records, the highest estimate will be put on the divine precepts, which the inspired writers have introduced. The whole of these ancient clas sics, in English, preceded by an octavo edition of the sacred scriptures, printed only under privilege, will, it is trusted, prove the most genuine source of science, on authentic re-. cords, from the remotest antiquity. : Mr. Lee will, however, give us leave to add a few words; for we are not satisfied with the execution of the bust of Hesiod, placed by way of frontispiece to this spe-cimen it ought to have been delineated by a superior master. A few guineas are ill saved, in diminishing the satisfaction of the curious with any department of a work like the present :-this may easily be remedied in future. We could have been glad, also, if the Table of the Theogony had been elucidated into that simplicity, which would have rendered it useful, as a subject of reference easily comprehended. There are many, not uninformed persons, who are bewildered by the unintelligible personifications of poetry; and find it difficult to distinguish mythological, metaphorical, and ideal personages, from those who once swayed the sceptre of empire, and were adored by their subjects after their decease. he works of nearly fifty authors, in abont y volumes of various irregular sizes, ted from hundreds of translations, will ompressed to between twenty and thirty nes, printed in double columns, of an When we are told that the evil princio size, to give uniformity to the work.ple, Night, as the associate of Darkness omission of any author is to be attributed, and Hell, produced Death, Sleep, Dreams, r to there having been no English trans- Ridicule, Old Age, Care, Strife, Ven of the work, or to its being on some geance, Fraud, Lust, Murder, and Punishiar subject limited to but few, or on a ment, the moral meaning is not difficult et foreign to Greek literature, or on a of explanation. When the poet describes et improper to be put in the hands of , or to its having been written when the offspring of Strife, as being Labour, anguage was corrupt. The portrait il- Forgetfulness, Famine, Woes, Combats, tions are from ancient statues, busts, Murders, Wars, Slaughters, Quarrels, medals, paintings, and descriptions. Lies, Controversies, Lawlessness, Loss, Mythological Chart of Heathen Deities, Domestic Wounds, and Perjury; who bich the poets greatly differ, is formed that knows any thing of the course of human life, will not acknowledge the correctness of the representation? These preliminary personages, or rather principles, must be disposed of; these laws of outhie, kindly. + Fleeched, flattered. hot, stretched. Swirl, whirlpool. Leepie, the water spirit. Vraith, the spectral appearance of a per-human existence, must be separated, be out to die, or recently dead. Warlocks, wizards. Coarse, tempestuous, rough. VI. [Lit. Pan, Sept. 1809] fore we can properly appreciate the other distinctions in the genealogy of the Gods. 2 P In like manner we must distinguish the geographical descents. Chaos produced Earth; Earth produced the Sea, the Atmosphere, the Mountains, the Groves: these are so many distinctions, with which every inhabitant of the earth is well acquainted. We must also reflect, that, in early ages, the terms son, daughter, child, &c. and their counterparts, did not always imply consanguinity; or family. descent many a son has been imputed to Jupiter, who was only a youth educated at a temple of that Deity; or at most a priest, remarkably assiduous in performing his offices. The term father was bestowed on old men among the Greeks, as well as among the Hebrews, where no relationship was intended. In short, when the proper distinctions have been drawn, and the necessary deductions consequent upon them, have been made, then we may possibly obtain a clearer view of the real progeny of those who afterwards were adored as divinities. Nor let this speculation be thought useless; since it might contribute essential assistance in the question, whether these Tables, when so corrected, betray any thing of an Oriental origin and how far they agree with Brahminical statements of a like description. That the Greeks did not devise, as the original authors, all the mythology they have transmitted to us, we are well convinced; but to ascertain by what channels they received it,' is not easy. Were this service to letters, and especially to poetry, once well done, the benefit would extend throughout the whole of classic antiquity: and we state our opinion, as to its importance, the more freely at this time, because, we apprehend, that the present age possesses materials for this purpose, superior to those obtained by any preceding period. Neither could we have any objection to its forming a subject of comparison, in connection with the Sacred Scriptures: we have no fear on their behalf, if they be fairly compared. Mr. Lee has prefixed a useful" Chronological chart of eminent Hebrew and Greek authors;" and from what we have seen, we doubt not, but his work is conducted with attention and correctness; though we have not had leisure to compare this specimen with other editions of Hesiod; or to mark its variations from Cooke's translation of the Ascrean bard. There are many fragments of transis tions from the ancient poets, scattered among the performances of our English writers: these would afford considerable improvements; but we need not pani cularize them to the present editor. The History of Don Francisco de Miranda Attempt to effect a Revolution in South America, in a Series of Letters. By James Biggs. Revised, corrected, and enlarged To which are annexed, Sketches of the Life of Miranda, and geographical Notices of Caraccas, pp. 328. Price 7s. 6d. Sher wood, Neely and Jones, London, 1809. MR. Biggs was one of the party as sembled by General Miranda, which ac companied him in his attempt on Spa nish America. That project having ende in disappointment, the hopes and ex pectations of the concerned are naturally converted into regret and asperity. W presume, therefore, that we are to make some allowances for the uncompensated sufferings of the writer. If we were cet tain that he had not "set down aught. malice," or under the influence of a de ficiency of information, we should inclin to admit the justice of his complaint hard treatment, and even of inhumanity But, we are not sure, how far it was i the power of the commander in this en terprize to behave to his adherents better than he did. We suspect that Miranda means were too feeble in proportion to hi undertaking; and that he flattered him self with being able to produce events among Spaniards, with the same rapidity as he had seen them produced among Frenchmen. We do not think, after pe rusing the history before us, that this co dertaking was prudently planned, happy commenced, judiciously conducted, o honourably closed. Nevertheless we suspect, that some facts in it might bear a dif ferent colouring, by an advocate for the defendant.' We recommend the volume to the attention of youth who are tempted to engage in undertakings of a concealed and private nature: it may serve as a lesson of caution against every description of inveiglings, whether by military adventu rers or others. We shall not enter into the history of the expedition; but shall endeavour deduce a portion of information from it, manifold deceptions of the French revo lution, turn a deaf ear to solicitation. But, besides, we are told, that when Miranda landed at La Vela, and when he * took the city of Coro, It must be confessed, that there is nething dazling in the prospect of relutions, contemplated merely as a mean the hand of the philanthropist, for eliorating the condition of mankind. hat can be more inviting to the ingeThe people had been compelled to abandon aus than the following propositions? - their homes by the positive orders of the comThe object was to make the province of mandant, who threatened to make severe extaceas, and, in due time, all Spanish America amples of those who remained behind, if ependant. Of this region it was remarked, they ever fell into his hands again. The Nature scarcely ever did more for any coun priests, too, instructed the inhabitants of this? man scarcely ever did less. Imagina province, that it had been invaded by a band saw fifteen millions of people released of lawless heretics and infidels, who came not a colonial dependance, and the system of only to rob them of their property, but also opoly and restriction it involved; enjoying to deprive their souls of salvation, by spread ee government; elevated from their .de-ing damnable tenets and principles among the sed condition; commanding the ample favourites of the Holy Virgin. inexhaustible resources derived from Pro. nce; made happy in themselves, and nected with the civilized world, by direct extensive commerce. A splendid empire unded, a new character is produced in present inhabitants, and the means of indefinite increase and greatness pred. The trade of these fertile regions is nore" dragged through the store-houses magazines of the Havannah and Spain; finds new channels and new customers. flags of every nation are seen flying in harbours. The vessels of the United es, instead of plying a smuggling and raband trade, lade and unlade their carin the face of day, and under the eye of government. The contest between plunand subterfuge no longer exists. The drais for ever put to sleep, and the golden t of the Hesperides is within the reach of y visitant.” ut, this flattering picture has its des; for it is observed, on the cony: Whether human nature, or the people of country, are so interested in the success he project of emancipation, as we relicans are apt to imagine, seems to me to it a question. I reflect that amidst all alledged grievances, they have great Ith and prosperity; and whatever they er, they have in general no pain from the sciousness of oppression. If they were in a worse state than they are, their ess characters would make them little exle by doctrines of liberty. These hints are sufficient to describe the nish character in the provinces of Caraccas. Such a people would ree to be well assured of the advantages y to accrue from change of their conon; and if they discovered them to be er speculative than real, they would, cially after what they knew of the The governor drove the multitude be fore him like cattle; and would listen to no entreaties from those who desired to stay. Much misery was suffered on this occasion. It is however relieved by an instance of humanity in a Spanish priest, at Coro, towards the sick and wounded,> which we deem worthy of being recorded. He discovered a most amiable solicitude, both for the comfort of their bodies, and the future welfare of their souls. Towards Colonel Kirkland, for whose life we entertained serious apprehensions, he exercised the benevolence of a Christian, and the tenderness of a father. He provided for him not only a comfortable but elegant apartment, with several attendants, and every necessary which his situation required. He is held in the most grateful remembrance by that officer. When regarded us as enemies to his religion, his we considered that this good catholic must have king and country, and probably to mankind, his benevolence touched our feelings with peculiar force, and contributed to sharpen the regret we could not but feel at the terror and distress we occasioned. ༄། The distress occasioned among the merchants at Trinidad, by the presence of Miranda and his force, was little short of -1 that which he produced on the continent. The launches, which brought ntules and cattle from the main,* quitted the island ▾ -the French and Spanish merchants, in particular, sent away their money in them: provisions rose in price 100 per cent: currency disappeared: goods pe rished on hand: and the whole commercial community was in a state of confusion. In the issue, the property belonging to this adventure was sold; but, Mr. Biggs Compare Panorama, Vol. IV. p. 1192. affirms, that none of the officers, or soldiers, were paid their arrears. Those however, who escaped with their liberty, had greatly the advantage of good fortune over many of their comrades. Of those taken by the Spaniards ten were executed: fifteen were sentenced to ten years hard labour at Omoa: fifteen to Porto Rico, for the same purpose, and the same term of years and nineteen to eight years labour at Bocca Chica. A sketch of the life and character of Miranda concludes the volume. Letters from an Elder to a Younger Bro- serve them endeavouring to render palata ble vices of the blackest dye, and crimes, of the most dangerous example, by clo thing them with the gentler names of failings, errors, faults, imprudences, weaknesses, and indiscretions." p. 121. We do not affect to controvert the sentiment intended to be inculcated by the author: but we ask, how can any thing be rendered palatable by clothing it?And further, what analogy is there between what is palatable, the subject of taste, and the blackest dye, the subject of sight?, -If we might charitably tolerate the phraseology of" ciothing with names"-though by the bye, had our author o other clothing, he would hardly abide the pelting of the pitiless shower, or the force of the keen North-easter-yet, how can we pass without notice such expres How many qualifications are necessions as "softening the blackest crime sary for a good writer ! It is not enough almost into estimable qualities," p. 124 that he has received from nature an un-"the incessant rattling of vapid derstanding mind, or from education the thingness," p. 64.-nothingness canist power of committing his sentiments to ratile. "The flexibility, and, I may say, paper. If he have studied things, the obstinacy, (i. e. inflexibility) of an unchances are ten to one against him, that settled mind, is perpetually carrying thera he has contracted a harshness of style, (it) to extremes: if told that the East and offends his readers by a kind of verbal crabbedness of which intense thought ren-mediately fly (incline) to the West, w not the right course, they (it) will im ders him insensible. If he has studied words, he may pass for a superficial writer, and his readers will regard him as they would one who plays mighty not mean to describe these letters as a Notwithstanding these remarks, we d prettily on the flute, or other soft instrament, but makes no impression on the together unworthy of perusal. They con mind. Why do not writers in our lan-tain many just observations; and tlie sen guage pay attention to the etymology of the words they employ? Why do they not advert to what we may call their roots, or primary significations, when received into our vernacular tongue? If we were indolent enough to be deceived by appearances, we should have marked, at once, as worthless, a work in which we found such uncouth associations as these: we inculcate the expansive attributes of virtue, he (the pupil) must necessarily coimbibe a detestation of vice in every form." Preface, p. viii. We are at a loss to know in what sense the attributes of virtue are expansive: and why, if these be inculcated, any draught must be drank in together, (coimbibed).Where is the connection between this drinking and impressing on a surface ?-Moreover, out inquiring whether the North or South may not be correct," p. ix. timents they recommend are favourable Poets lose half the praise they would have gut, We select our author's remarks on Corage, as a specimen of his manner of treat Ling the subjects he introduces. bounds, but sober, steady, and resolute, True Courage is not vehement or withert the characteristic of cowardice, and not of "Suaviter in modo, fortiter in red Its courage, to be ostentatious of showing ear What can we say to the following con- superiority over our adversaries; and to persist fusion of metaphors? "You will ob-in chastising or exposing them, when they |