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SIR EDWARD E. LYTTON BULWER, BART., M.P.

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In 1831, his Eugene Aram appeared, in 3 vols. It is decidedly the most finished of Mr. Bulwer's productions. An admirably wrought-out story, of which we never lose sight, gradually rises in interest, till the feeling becomes equally intense and painful. There are scenes, in the third volume especially, superior in power and effect to any thing he has yet done. Eugene Aram is a fine, and most original conception. In this graphically-told novel are many papers displaying great pathos, and powerful imagination. Amidst the display of guilty actions, the author has checkered the melancholy scene with the following description of Autumn :-" Along the sere and melancholy wood, the autumnal winds creep, with a lowly but gathering moan. Where the water held its course, a damp and ghostly mist clogged the air; but the skies were calm, and checkered only by a few clouds that swept in long, white, spectral streaks over the solemn stars. Now and then, the bat wheeled swiftly round, almost touching the figure of the student, as he walked musingly onward. And the owl, that before the month waned many many days, would be seen no more in that region, came heavily from the trees, like a guilty thought that deserts its shade. It was one of those nights, half dim, half glorious, which mark the early decline of the year. Nature seemed restless and instinct with change; there were those signs in the atmosphere which leave the most experienced in doubt whether the morning may rise in storm or sunshine. And in this particular period the skie's influences seemed to tincture the animal life with their own mysterious and wayward spirit of change. The birds desert their summer haunts, an unaccountable inquietude pervades the brute creation, even men in this unsettled season have considered themselves more (than at others) stirred by the motion and whisperings of their genius. And every creature that flows upon the tide of the universal life of things, feels upon the ruffled surface, the mighty and solemn change which is at work within its depths." How deliciously beautiful is our next extract:

"If there be any thing lovely in the human heart, it is affection! All that makes hope elevated, or fear generous, belongs to the capacity of loving. For my own part, I do not wonder, in looking over the thousand creeds and sects of men, that so many religionists have traced their theology,—that so many moralists have wrought their system from love. The errors thus originated have something in them that charms us, even while we smile at the theology, or while we neglect the system. What a beautiful fabric would be human nature-what a divine guide would be human reason—if Love were indeed the stratum of the one, and the inspiration of the other! what a world of reasonings, not immediately obvious, did the sage of old open to our inquiry, when he said the pathetic was the truest part of the sublime! Aristides, the painter, created a picture in which an infant is represented sucking a mother wounded to the death, who, even in that agony, strives to prevent the child from injuring itself by imbibing the blood mingled with the milk. How many emotions, that might have made us permanently wiser and better, have we lost in losing that picture !"

Mr. Bulwer published his Last Days of Pompeii, in 3 vols. in the year 1834. Like most of this gentleman's productions, it is replete with fine imaginings; but perhaps the most interesting character in the work, is the Blind Flower Girl-a personification worked up with heart-rending incidents, displaying the greatest intensity of feeling. Amidst many pleasing ideas, is the following, on Natural Loveliness." Is nature ordinarily so unattractive?' asked the Greek,-'to the dissipated-yes.'-' an austere

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SIR EDWARD E. LYTTON BULWER, BART., M.P.

reply, but scarcely a wise one. Pleasure delights in contrasts; it is from dissipation that we learn to enjoy solitude, and from solitude, dissipation.' So think the young philosophers of the garden,' replied the Egyptian; they mistake lassitude for meditation, and imagine that, because they are seated with others, they know the delight of loneliness. But not in such jaded bosoms can nature awaken that enthusiasm which alone draws from her chaste reserves all her unspeakable beauty; she demands from you, not the exhaustion of passion, but all that fervour from which you only seek, in adoring her, a release. When, young Athenian, the moon revealed herself in visions of light to Endymion, it was after a day passed, not amongst the feverish haunts of men, but on the still mountains, and in the solitary valleys of the hunter.'"

Rienzi, the last of the Tribunes, was published in 1836. In vol. xxvii. of the Mirror, will be found copious notices of this work.

Mr. Bulwer came before the public as a dramatic author in 1836, in the production of a play, The Duchess de la Valliere. It was not well received by the critics, who described the plot as devoid of dramatic interest, and the language deficient in imagination and effect.

In 1837 appeared his Ernest Maltravers, in 3 vols. This work contains a few fine thoughts-original ideas; but it is also festered with language that we grieve to think came from the pen of the subject of this memoir.

Exclusive of the above enumerated works, Sir Edward has produced several others, particularly the dramas of the Lady of Lyons, and Richelieu, both successful productions.

In 1838 the Queen was pleased to create Mr. Bulwer a baronet of the United Kingdom.

It is rather strange that a gentleman of Sir Edward's literary attainments can find time to attend his parliamentary duties, he being member for Lincoln. With politics (thank Heaven!) we have nothing to do; but it may be as well just to notice that Sir E. Bulwer is what is termed a Liberal. In the Senate he does not form a prominent character, seldom addressing the house.

His lady has lately given a specimen of her literary acquirements, in a novel, called Cheveley, or the Man of Honour, which the reader may perhaps recollect called forth some epistolary correspondence. We are ignorant as to whether Sir Edward has any family by this lady.

His brother, Mr. H. L. Bulwer, who was formerly member for the borough of Marylebone, is now Secretary of Embassy at Paris.

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INTERIOR OF THE NEW SYNAGOGUE, GREAT ST. HELEN'S. VOL. XXXIII.

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THE NEW SYNAGOGUE, GREAT
ST. HELEN'S.

THE profound and philosophical Montesque remarks -« All civilized nations dwell in houses; thence the idea naturally arose in the minds of men to build a house for GOD, in which they might adore Him, and seek Him; both in their fears and their hopes. Nothing, indeed, can be more consoling to the hearts of men, than to assemble in one place, where they all, with one accord, give utterance to those supplications which their wants, and a sense of their weakness, dictate." This observation is subjected to the correction of a divine, who says, "It would be more true, and also more becoming, to state, that the necessity of instructing mankind, of recalling them to a sense of their duties and obligations, and of preaching to them the doctrines of their creed, first gave rise to the idea of building a house for God.' Here are the opinions of a philosopher and a divine, respecting the cause which has led mankind to build a house for God. We do not intend to examine the merits of either. Suppose it was revealed and declared to the chosen people of GoD, as contained in those solemn writings of which they have been the chosen depositories, "Let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them." (Exodus, xxv. 8.) This sets the question at rest, and disposes at once of the opinions of the philosopher and the divine. It was not because the Israelites dwelt in tabernacles; nor because they stood in need of instruction, that a sanctuary was erected; but it was at the express command of GOD, that manifesting there, as He was wont, the visible symbols of his presence and his power, a standing miracle might declare the uncontrovertible evidence of the truth of their religion and its history. When Jerusalem's lofty temple was laid low, and the plough turned up the holy ground on which it once stood, and the Jews were driven forth a nation "scattered and peeled," his synagogue became to the son of Abraham what his temple had been heretofore. The following are the reflections of a pious Jew on the subject.* "When the Jew enters the portals of the synagogue, the feel ings that take possession of him are those of awe and veneration for that invisible Sovereign, whose presence he is permitted to approach. While performing his devotions, he is penetrated with humility and gratitude, and bows with resignation to that just doom, which has exiled him and his fathers from that sanctuary which had been the glory of his nation. His stay in the synagogue is marked by that decorum, which becomes him who stands in the presence of Omnipotence. No idle talk, no mundane ideas interrupt and disturb the

• Hebrew Review, October, 1835.

train of his thought, by which he strives to elevate his soul unto contemplation of the Deity. He feels and knows that the place is sacred; and that it is his duty not to violate its sanctity: and though banished, a wanderer, and perhaps despised, his mind is imbued with sacred feelings, analogous to that of those who worshipped of old on Moriah's brow; and the place of his worship becomes to the Jew, though mean in comparison to the temple, the " "sanctuary of the Lord."

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There are in London about eleven synagogues; the chief one, the German, is in Duke's Place, Hounsditch, in the midst of the Jewish population. The approaches are rather uninviting; but when reached, the place, the worship, the people, and all the associations connected with their awful and sublime history, more than repay the visit. The Sabbath commences at sunset on Friday, when the synagogue is opened; and again at ten o'clock on Saturday morning. The singing, handed down from the temple-service, and the chanting of the law, said to be the manner in which it was revealed to Moses, is deeply affecting and interesting. The Jews, and the officers in attendance, are most kind and polite to strangers. The interest of the visit is enhanced, by procuring a Jewish prayer-book, with the English translation on the opposite page. Strangers are reminded not to take off their hats as they enter: it is an abomination to the Jews, who worship with their heads covered. Surely no one, on departing from such a scene, but will evince a holy impatience for the return of this people to their own land, and their exaltation amongst the nations; which will be fraught with the most eventful and glorious consequences to the whole world.

The preceding Engraving is a faithful representation of the Interior of the New Synagogue, Great St. Helen's: the cere mony of consecrating this edifice sacred to the Jewish religion, took place on Thursday, September 13, 1838; about 1,000 persons being present. At a few minutes after two o'clock, the chief rabbi (Dr. Hirschel,) and the officiating rabbins having taken their places, the consecration anthem was given. The introductory symphony was performed very skilfully by the instrumental band, accompanied by the choruses. The high priest then entered the door of the synagogue, followed by the wardens and other honorary officers of the congregation, carrying the sacred scrolls of the law. The doors having been opened, the chief rabbi and the bearers

pear in our next number. A view of the Exterior, with description, will ap

The congregation located for several years past in Leadenhall Street, where they had been established about eighty years, and was always known as the "New Synagogue."

entered, and proceeded along the aisle to the ark, which, with respect to the cardinal points and relation to other objects, occupies a position similar to our high altar or communion table. During this time the choris ters sung an impressive hymn, and at the conclusion of the chorus the procession proceeded to circumambulate the synagogue seven times, and during each circuit a psalm was chanted by the reader and the congregation with great effect.

When the last circuit was completed, the persons in the procession separated into two lines, one on each side of the ark, when the readers, the principal singers, and chorus, sung a psalm of David; after which the chief rabbi, standing before the ark, delivered, in Hebrew and English, an appropriate address on this occasion, so interesting to the Jewish people; after which the venerable man read a long prayer in behalf of the people of Israel; after which the consecration anthem was given, the words by the late Dr. H. Hirschel (father of the present chief rabbi). Then the secretary read a list of the donatious bestowed towards defraying the expense of the synagogue; after this a hymn, composed by Professor Hurwitz, was sung with choruses. This was followed by an impressive prayer for the Queen and royal family, sung by the whole congregation. The finale was a Hallelujah Chorus, which was equally effective. The whole closed by the performance of the afternoon and evening service. On ordinary occasions the daughters of Zion are kept out of view, in the Asiatic fashion, but on this occasion, although the ladies were all in the galleries, yet the ingenuity of the architect has contrived a handsome screen, so tastefully perforated that the fair sex could see clearly all that was passing below, and at the same time those below could easily discover that the Jewish females of our time might vie with those so much admired in ancient times. The interior of the synagogue is characte rized by considerable lightness and loftiness; the height from floor to ceiling of centre nave being 45 feet; the entire length from the entrance to the back of the ark is 72 feet; the extreme width 54 feet; the width of the centre nave 32 feet.

The ark consists of a semi-circular recess and domed head, decorated with Corinthian columns and painted glass windows. This part is designed with especial reference to the Jewish worship, and is intended to form the chief attraction of the interior. The steps, paving, and pedestals are of marble; the latter supporting rich brass candelabra, Light Doric piers and pilasters, in imitation of porphyry and verd antique, sustain an appropriate entablature of light Italian Doric with dentils, the metopes enriched with pateras and stars alternately, richly gilt; this

order, which goes round the circular part of the ark, sustains a light Corinthian order. The recesses for the law are inclosed with massy circular mahogany doors, and are fitted up in the interior with crimson silk; a rich velvet curtain, with gold fringe, is drawn over and partly conceals the doors and recesses. The Corinthian columns and three-quarter columns are in imitation of Sienna marble; the capitals, white and relieved in gold, with festoons of fruit and flowers, connecting the same; the ornaments of the Corinthian entablature are also enriched in gold; there are three semi-circular windows of richly-painted glass, by Mr. James Nixon; the centre window containing the name JEHOVAH in Hebrew characters, also the tables of the law. The windows are painted with rich arabesques, any sort of figure being inconsistent with the Hebrew worship. On the frieze of the Corinthian order, in large Hebrew characters, is an inscription, importing, "Know in whose presence thou standest!" and on each side of the ark are panels containing a prayer for the Queen and royal family, in Hebrew and in English. The whole composition of the ark, which is 44 feet high by about 25 feet wide, is crowned with a semidome, panelled with five rows of octagon panels, with rosettes in each. The ladies' galleries are supported by Portland-stone piers of a novel design, combining strength with lightness; these support a light Doric entablature with a Corinthian order above, of the same description and proportions as decorate the ark, only without the decoration of painting or gilding; above the Corinthian order is a lofty attic, with semicircular windows. All the windows are of groundglass, with coloured margins and appropriate dressings. The ceiling is divided into 30 central panels, having each a massy flower. At the north end is a semi-circular arch corresponding with that of the south end, in which is a large painted glass fan with rich border, also painted by Nixon.

Between the columns of the ladies' gallery is a rich and light railing of wrought brass work. All the seats throughout the building are of wainscot varnished. There are no pews, as in churches, but benches with lockers. Each seat is numbered, and a moveable flap is provided for the books.

The platform is also of wainscot, and is raised four steps at the four angles, and pedestals supporting four rich brass candelabra, similar to those at the ark; in the front of the platform are the seats of the principal officers of the synagogue. There are no other seats between the platform and the marble steps of the ark.

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