manner. The ladies and the young men had had time to note all this; and the old men had had time to think to themselves, "What a very strange-looking little body!" when the dinner-bell at length rang. through the ordeal of being presented to the The hair was most remarkably abundant, various individuals of his new neighborhood. and beautiful in quality, and as black as And this peculiarity of manner was yet night. The whole face, except the lips, was more marked in the case of his sister. She entirely colorless. was very small, moreover, and really fairylike in figure, which increased the effect of her shrinking timidity and nervousness of Her little figure, in its almost miniature proportions, was exquisitely perfect; but the face had peculiarities which preMr. Lindisfarn gave his arm to Lady Farnvented it from being beautiful. The large, leigh; Mr. Falconer took Miss Immy; Dr. fair forehead, which seemed first to attract Theophilus seized on Margaret, to her exanybody who saw Miss Merriton for the first ceeding great disgust, making her feel as time, was too large, and too square, and too though she should burst into tears amid the prominent for the small face. The eyes had sweet smiles with which she looked up also the rare defect of being too large. But his face, and pretended to coax him, as they perhaps their size alone would not have walked to the dining-room, to tell her what seemed a fault, if they had not also been too was inside the brown-paper parcel; Captain prominent, and what the French call à fleur Ellingham's character of stranger, as well as de tête. The other features of the face were his rank, secured him Kate's arm; Freddy good and delicate. Exceeding delicacy, in- Falconer had Miss Merriton under his care; deed, was the prominent and paramount and so, with Mr. Merriton and Mr. Mat characteristic of the entire face and figure. bringing up the rear, they went to dinner. into ORIGIN OF BRANDY.-Brandy began to be dis-"proof," it is obvious that its meaning must tilled in France about the year 1843; but it was have been deemed very indefinite.—Quebec Paprepared only as a medicine, and was considered per. as possessing such marvellous strengthening powers that the physicians termed it Eau de Vie, "the water of life," a name it retains, though now rendered, by excessive potations, one of life's most powerful and prevalent destroyers. Ray- So bad is now the state of Rome that, accordmond Lully, a disciple of Arnold de Villa Nova, ing to the Post, the Princess Corsini, desiring to considered this admirable essence of wine to be attend a reception at the Colonna Palace, and an emanation from the Divinity, and that it was wishing to wear her jewels, was compelled to deintended to reanimate and prolong the life of mand an escort of the Papal Dragoon Guards. man. He even thought that the discovery indi- The citizens assert that they have absolutely no cated that the time had arrived for the consum- protection, that the police are brigands in unimation of all things,-the end of the world. Be- form, and that no redress is to be obtained in the fore the true means of determining the quantity most ordinary case of robbery except through the of alcohol in spirits were known, the dealers were French authorities. If the latter interfere, Mgr. in the habit of employing a very rude method of de Morode makes a point of refusing the request, forming a notion of the strength. A given quan- and the poor Romans are therefore crushed by tity of spirits was poured upon a quantity of the French, pillaged by the brigands, and neggunpowder, in a dish, and set on fire. If, at the lected by the government which ought either to end of combustion, the gunpowder continued dry protect or to surrender them. If they resist the enough, it took fire and exploded; but if it had French intruders, they are imprisoned; if they been wetted by the water in the spirits, the flame object to the brigands in uniform, they are arof the alcohol went out without setting the pow-rested; and if they support the authorities who der on fire. This was called the proof. Spirits which kindled gunpowder were said to be above proof; those that did not set fire to it were said to be below proof. From this origin of the term do nothing for them, they are pretty sure to be surrendered to one or the other of the other two hostile powers. It is a happy life which infallibility produces in its capital.-Spectator. From Macmillan's Magazine. without pleasure, never without my making LETTERS FROM COLERIDGE TO WILLIAM out of the past a little day-dream for the future. I left Wordsworth on the 4th of this GODWIN. and at Stowey, I return to Cumberland and settle at Keswick, in a house of such prospect that if, according to you and Hume, impres sions constitute our being, I shall have a tendency to become a god, so sublime and beautiful will be the series of my visual existence. thither, I shall be in a beautiful country, and But, whether I continue here or migrate have house-room and heart-room for you, you must come and write your next work at my house. My dear Godwin! I remember sations so distinctly, that, I doubt not we you with so much pleasure, and our converhave been mutually benefited; but as to than suspect that dear little Fanny and Mary your poetic and physiopathic feelings, I more have had more to do in that business than I. Hartley sends his love to Mary.* and not to Fanny?" "What, but I'll have Mary." [THE author of "Caleb Williams " enjoyed month; if I cannot procure a suitable house the acquaintance--and, at various periods, the correspondence of almost every contemporary of literary celebrity. Methodical to a passion, endowed with the most indefatigable industry, he not only kept every letter of importance that came into his hands, but carefully transcribed his own when he considered that he had written anything worthy of preservation. The result has been the accumulation of a very extensive and interesting body of documents in the hands of his descend ants, the more important portion of which, it may be hoped, will one day be given to the world. To it belong the letters now published, selected from a larger number proceeding from the same pen. It is not much to describe them as superior in every respect to such of Coleridge's letters as have hitherto found their way into print, since, from causes on which it is unnecessary to dwell, these have, for the most part, been little calculated to exhibit his powers to advantage. Those now published constitute, in their editor's opinion, crowd upon him! I am glad that you think My poor Lamb, how cruelly afflictions a much more entertaining and lively body of of him as I think he has an affectionate familíar correspondence than, from the gen-heart, a mind sui generis; his taste acts so as eral character of Coleridge's prose style, he had been in any way prepared to expect. like the unmechanic simplicity of appear an instinct; in brief, he is worth an hundred Though printed with but few alterations or omissions, they will not, he thinks, be found latter tribe is like the use of leaden bellsmen of mere talents. Conversation with the to contain a line to disturb the opinion entertained of Coleridge by those most pro-and then irradiates, and the beam, though one wearies by exercise. Lamb every now foundly impressed with the pre-eminence of his intellect, and the goodness of his heart. R. GARNETT.] them. to Yes, and to Fanny, He often talks about single and fine as a hair, yet is rich with colors, and I both see and feel it. In Bristol I was much with Davy, † almost all day. He always talks of you with great affection, and defends you with a friendly zeal. If I settle at Keswick, he will be with me in the fall of the year, and so must you: and let me tell you, Godwin, that four such men as you, I, Davy, and Wordsworth, do not meet together in one house every day in the year -I mean four men so distinct with so many sympathies. I received yesterday a letter from Southey. He arrived at Lisbon after a WEDNESDAY, May 21, 1800. DEAR GODWIN,-I received your letter this morning, and had I not, still I am almost confident that I should have written to you before the end of the week. Hitherto the translation of the Wallenstein has prevented me, not that it engrossed my time, but that it wasted and depressed my spirits, and left a sense of wearisomeness and disgust which unfitted me for anything but sleeping or immediate society. I say this because I ought to bave written to you first; yet as I am not behind you in affectionate esteem, so I would not be thought to lag in those outward and visible signs that both show and verify the inward spiritual grace. Believe me, you recur to my thoughts frequently, and never p. 431.) * Mrs. Sholley. tI like him [Godwin] for thinking so well of extraordinary of human beings he had ever met Davy. He talks of him everywhere as the most with. I cannot say that, for I know one whom I feel to be the superior [Wordsworth probably is meant], but I never met with so extraordinary a young man. (Coleridge to Wedgwood, "Cottle," October. prosperous voyage, on the last day of April; punctually redelivered to you on the first of his letter to me is dated May-Day. He girds up his loins for a great history of Portugal, Your tragedy to be exhibited at Christwhich will be translated into Portuguese in mas! I have, indeed, merely read through the first year of the Lusitanian Republic.* your letter; so it is not strange that my Have you seen Mrs. Robinson † lately-heart continues beating out of time. Indeed, how is she? Remember me in the kindest indeed, Godwin, such a stream of hope and and most respectful phrases to her. I wish fear rushed in on me, as I read the sentence, I knew the particulars of her complaint; for as you would not permit yourself to feel! If Davy has discovered a perfectly new acid by there be anything yet undreamt of in our which he has restored the use of limbs to philosophy; if it be, or if it be possible, that persons who had lost it for many years (one thought can impel thought out of the usual woman nine years), in cases of supposed limit of a man's own skull and heart; if the rheumatism. At all events, Davy says, it cluster of ideas which constitute an identity can do no harm in Mrs. Robinson's case, and, do ever connect and unite into a greater if she will try it, he will make up a little whole; if feelings could ever propagate themparcel and write her a letter of instructions, selves without the servile ministrations of unetc. Tell her, and it is the truth, that Davy dulating air or reflected light; I seem to feel is exceedingly delighted with the two poems within myself a strength and a power of dein the Anthology. sire that might dart a modifying, commanding impulse on a whole theatre. What does all this mean? Alas! that sober sense should To Mrs. Smith I am about to write a let-know no other way to construe all this than. ter, with a book; be so kind as to inform me by the tame phrase, I wish you success! of her direction. That which Lamb informed you is founded on N.B. Did you get my attempt at a tragedy from Mrs. Robinson? Mrs. Inchbald I do not like at all; every truth. Mr. Sheridan sent, through the metime I recollect her I like her less. That dium of Stewart, a request to Wordsworth to segment of a look at the corner of her eye-present a tragedy to his stage; and to me a O God in heaven! it is so cold and cunning. Through worlds of wildernesses I would run away from that look, that heart-picking look! 'Tis marvellous to me that you can like that woman. I shall remain here about ten days for certain. If you have leisure and inclination in that time, write; if not, I will write to you where I am going, or at all events whither I am gone. God bless you and Your sincerely affectionate MR. T. POOLE'S, Sara desires to be remembered kindly to you, and sends a kiss to Fanny and " dear meek little Mary." MONDAY, Sept. 22, 1800. DEAR GODWIN,-I received your letter, and with it the enclosed note, which shall be *The letter is printed in the first volume of Southey's correspondence, edited by his son, where, however, the passage respecting the projected history is omitted. The celebrated Perdita. She died in the following December. A loan of ten pounds. declaration, that the failure of my piece t was owing to my obstinacy in refusing any alteration. I laughed and Wordsworth smiled; but my tragedy will remain at Keswick, and Wordsworth's is not likely to emigrate from Grasmere. Wordsworth's drama‡ is, in its present state, not fit for the stage, and he is not well enough to submit to the drudgery of making it so. Mine is fit for nothing, except to excite in the minds of good men the hope that the young man is likely to do better." In the first moments I thought of rewriting it, and sent to Lamb for the copy with this intent. I read an act and altered my opinion, and with it my wish. My wife is now quite comfortable. Surely you might come and spend the very next four weeks, not without advantage to both of us. The very glory of the place is coming on; the local genius is just arraying himself in his higher attributes. But, above all, I press it *"Antonio." "Remorso." Many years afterwards, when Lord Byron had an interest in Drury Lane, he generously procured the representation of the piece, which met with great success. "The Borderers." & Mrs. Coleridge had been confined ten days proviously. because my mind has been busied with spec- I may be able to scrawl in the present paper; ulations that are closely connected with those but some parts in your letter interested me pursuits that have hitherto constituted your deeply, and I wished to tell you so. First, utility and importance; and, ardently as I then, you know Kemble, and I do not. But wish you success on the stage, 1 yet cannot my conjectural judgments concerning his charframe myself to the thought that you should acter lead me to persuade an absolute passive cease to appear as a bold moral thinker. I obedience to his opinion, and this, too, bewish you to write a book on the power of cause I would leave to every man his own words, and the processes by which human trade. Your trade has been in the present feelings form affinities with them; in short, instance, first to furnish a wise pleasure to I wish you to philosophize Horne Tooke's sys- your fellow-beings in general, and, secondly, tem, and to solve the great questions-whether to give Mr. Kemble and his associates the there be reason to hold that an action bearing the semblance of predesigning consciousness may yet be simply organic, and whether 8. series of such actions are possible, and close on the heels of this question would follow the old, "Is logic the essence of thinking?" -in the words, "Is thinking possible within arbitrary signs? or how far is the word arbitrary a misnomer? are not words, etc., parts and germinations of the plant, and what is the law of their growth?" In something of this order I would endeavor to destroy the old antithesis of words and things, elevating, as it were, words into things, and living things too. All the nonsense of vibrations, etc., you would, of course, dismiss. If what I have here written appear nonsense to you, or common sense in a harlequinade of outré expressions, suspend your judgment till we see each other. Yours sincerely, S. T. COLERIDGE. I was in the country when "Wallenstein " was published. Longman sent me down half a dozen-the carriage back the book was not worth. MONDAY, Oct. 18, 1800. DEAR GODWIN,-I have been myself too frequently a grievous delinquent in the article of letter-writing to feel any inclination to reproach my friends when, peradventure, they have been long silent. But, this out the question, I did not expect a speedier answer; for I had anticipated the circumstances which you assign as the causes of your delay. power of delighting that part of your fellowbeings assembled in a theatre. As to what relates to the first point, I should be sorry indeed if greater men than Mr. Kemble could induce you to alter a "but" to a "yet" contrary to your own convictions. Above all things, an author ought to be sincere to the public; and, when William Godwin stands in the title-page, it implies that W. G. approves that which follows. Besides, the mind and finer feelings are blunted by such obsequiousness. But in the theatre it is Godwin and Co. ex professo. I should regard it in almost the same light as if I had written a song for Haydn to compose and Mara to sing; I know, indeed, what is poetry, but I do not know so well as he and she what will suit his notes or her voice That actors and managers are often wrong is true, but still the trade is their trade, and the presumption is in favor of their being right. For the press, I should wish you to be solicitously nice; because you are to exhibit before a larger and more respectable multitude than a theatre presents to you, and in a new part, that of a poct employing his philosophical knowledge practically. If it be possible, come, therefore, and let us discuss every page and every line. Now for something which, I would fain believe, is still more important; namely, the propriety of your future philosophical speculations. As to your first objection, that you are a logician, let me say that your habits are analytic, but that you have not read enough of travels, voyages, and biographyAn attempt to finish a poem of mine for especially men's lives of themselves; and you inserton in the second volume of the "Lyri- have too soon submitted your notions to other cal ballads" has thrown me so fearfully back men's censures in conversation. A man should in my bread and beef occupations, that I nurse his opinions in privacy and self-fondshall scarcely be able to justify myself in put-ness for a long time, and seek for sympathy ting you to the expense of the few lines which and love, not for detection or censure. *"Christabel." miss, my dear fellow, your theory of collision Dis However I will do what I can. Taste and feeling have I none, but what I have, give I unto thee. But I repeat that I am unfit to decide on any but works of severe logic. of ideas, and take up that of mutual propulsion. I wish to write more, and state to you a lucrative job, which would, I think, be eminently serviceable to your own mind and which you would have every opportunity of I write now to beg that, if you have not doing here. I now express a serious wish sent your tragedy, you may remember to send that you would come and look out for a house." Antonio" with it, which I have not yet seen, Did Stuart remit you £10 on my account? and likewise my Campbell's Pleasures of S. T. COLERIDGE. Hope," which Wordsworth wishes to see. Have you seen the second volume of the I would gladly write any verses, but to a prologue or epilogue I am absolutely incom-"Lyrical ballads," and the preface prefixed petent. * to the first? I should judge of a man's heart be sure to say, made him know that he himself was no I WEDNESDAY, March 25, 1801. DEAR GODWIN,-I fear your tragedy will find me in a very unfit state of mind to sit in judgment on it. I have been during the last three months undergoing a process of intellectual exsiccation. During my long illness I had compelled into hours of delight many a sleepless painful hour of darkness by-chasing down metaphysical game, and since then I have continued the hunt, till I find myself, unaware, at the root of pure mathematics, and up that tall smooth tree, whose few poor branches are all at the very summit, am climbing by pure adhesive strength of arms and thighs, still slipping down, still renewing my ascent. You would not know me! All sounds of similitude keep at such a distance from each other in my mind that I have forgotten how to make a rhyme. I look at the mountains (that visible God Almighty that looks in at all my windows)-I look at the mountains only for the curves of their outlines; the stars, as I behold them, form themselves into triangles; and my hands are scarred with scratches from a cat, whose back I was rubbing in the dark in order to see whether the sparks from it were refrangible by a prism. The Poet is dead in me; my imagination (or rather the somewhat that had been imaginative) lies like a cold snuff on the circular rim of a brass candlestick, without even a stink of tallow to remind you that it was once clothed and mitred with flame. That is past by! I was once a volume of gold leaf, rising and riding on every breath of fancy, but I have beaten myself back into weight and density, and now I sink in quicksilver and remain squat and square on the earth amid the hurricane that makes oaks and straws join in one dance, fifty yards high in the element. * I think, but am not certain, that this tragedy was entitled "Abbas." GRETA HALL, KESWICK. P. S.-What is a fair price-what might an author of reputation fairly ask from a bookseller-for one edition, of a thousand copies, of a five-shilling book? I congratulate you on the settlement of Davy in London. I hope that his enchanting manners will not draw too many idlers about him, to harass and vex his mornings. GRETA HALL, KESWICK. DEAR GODWIN,-I have had, during the last three weeks, such numerous interruptions of my "uninterrupted rural retirement," such a succession of visitors, both indigenous and exotic, that verily I wanted both the time and the composure necessary to answer your letter of the first of June; at present I am writing to you from my bed. For in consequence of a very sudden change in the weather from intense heat to a raw and scathing chillness, my bodily health has suffered a relapse as severe as it was unexpected. I have not yet received either "Antonio," or your pamphlet, in answer to Dr. Parr and the Scotch gentleman (who is to be professor *Mackintosh. |