From The Athenæum. exorbitant claims, he solaced his wounded

England, expecting immediate advancement, but the powerful enemies whom he had provoked by his unscrupulous tongue, and not less unscrupulous pen, effectually prevented the fulfilment of his hopes. Restless and disappointed, smarting under wrongs both real and imagined, and railing at the ingratitude of his country, he offered to the king of Poland the sword he had already used in the service of the king of Portugal. The offer was accepted, and in the army of Poniatowski Stanislaus Augustus he became a major-general; but the highest rank he ever attained in the British service was that of a lieutenant-colonel on half-pay, and for that position (so far beneath his own opinion of his deserts) he had to wait till the May of 1772. Restless and embittered, regarding himself as the victim of ministerial oppression, and burning with resentment, he embraced the cause of the American colonists, and, quitting England forever, sailed for New York.

The Treason of Charles Lee, Major-General, pride with showering sarcasms on those Second in Command in the American whom prudence would have had him conArmy of the Revolution. By George H. ciliate. In 1761 he was promoted to a MaMoore. New York, Scribner; London, jority in the 103d regiment of foot; and in 1762, when the English auxiliary force was Low & Co. sent to assist Portugal in repelling the At a time when the revelations of the Spaniards, he accompanied Brigadier-GenState Paper Office are daily making us more eral Burgoyne, with the rank of lieutenantand more alive to the fact that our history colonel in the service of the king of Portuhas to be rewritten in several of its most gal. In this service he gained high and important parts, it is with no ordinary in- merited praise for the brilliant manner in terest that we find the people of the United which he surprised the Spanish camp at States in the same difficulty with ourselves. Villa Velha. Lord Loudoun described this Such is indeed the case. Our American achievement to the ministry as "a very galcousins have agreed to degrade one of their lant action," and Count de La Lippe, the national heroes, to brand traitor on his fore- commander-in-chief, commending "the galhead, and deliver him over to the obloquy lant Lieutenant-Colonel Lee," observed of after-ages; the culprit, against whom the "so brilliant a stroke speaks for itself." verdict of guilty has been delivered, being Elated with these eulogies, Lee returned to Major-General Charles Lee-after Washington and Lafayette, the brightest ornament of the Revolutionary army. At the outbreak and throughout the principal part of the hostilities between the mother country and the colonies, few names were more frequently on the lips of English politicians than that of Charles Lee; but when he dropped from the eminence to which he had raised himself for a few brief years, he fell from the memory of men on this side the Atlantic. Recent discoveries, however, give a fresh interest to his character and career. Born A.D. 1731, in England, and of English parents, his father being Col. John Lee, of Dernhall, co. Cheshire, and his mother being a daughter of Sir Henry Bunbury, a baronet of the same county, Charles Lee was still a child when he became a soldier. After acquiring the first rudiments of a classical education at the Grammar School of Bury St. Edmunds, he was gazetted to an ensign's commission in his father's regiment (the 44th), when only eleven years of age. As a lieutenant of that regiment, he went out with Braddock's disastrous expedition, and was one of the few officers who escaped from the terrible defeat it encountered, unhurt in body and untarnished in reputation. Purchasing his company for nine hundred pounds, he remained in America, accompanied his regiment with the forces led by Amherst from Lake Ontario, and returned to England after the campaign of 1760, which saw the completion of the British conquest of Canada. Impetuous, overbearing, and quick-witted, the young officer "began very early to abuse his superiors, and was not very nice in the terms he made use of." With some ability, but a much more liberal stock of vanity and ambition, he claimed, as his right, rapid promotion; and, failing to obtain a recognition of his

As an advocate of popular opinions, he met in America with an enthusiastic reception, and in his progress through the colonies, by conversation, harangues, and pamphlets, he did his utmost to rouse the courage of the multitudes and inspire them with confidence. At this period he rendered valuable services to American independence, by stimulating the animosities of men furious with a sense of injury and insult, and by converting the vague and negative discontent of others into positive and organized opposi tion. The pompous servility of Dr. Myles Cooper's "Address to all Reasonable Americans" had not had time to depress and terrorize the Whigs to submission, when Lee's strictures upon its cowardly nonsense not only completely counteracted its pernicious influence, but both taught the colonists to see their strength, and fired them with a

noble resolve to suffer any fate rather than tamely submit to injustice.

government. His life, however, was preserved, and he was admitted to the rank of On the outbreak of the war, Lee resigned an ordinary prisoner of war, in consequence his position of lieutenant-colonel on half of Washington's significant menace, in a pay in the British army, and accepted the letter to General Howe: "I think it necesthird command of the rebel forces Wash- sary to add, that your conduct to prisoners ington being commander-in-chief, and Ward will govern mine." But it was not till the being first major-general. Of course, Lee 21st of April, 1778, that he was exchanged was dissatisfied with the place assigned him. for Major-General Prescott. On the 20th A soldier by profession, he held the colonial of May he rejoined the army at Valley Forge captains in no high esteem; and his pres- and resumed his command. On the 28th of tige in the country of his adoption was so June was fought the battle of Monmouth great, that men of all classes turned their Court House. Every one is familiar with eyes on him as their leader. Had he been a the particulars of that engagement. Sent native of America he would unquestionably in command of the advanced corps, Lee beat have been nominated to the command of the a hasty retreat before an inferior force led army. As a prudent and safe man, pledged by Sir Henry Clinton. In the inquiry that to fidelity by all the associations of family was subsequently instituted into his conduct, and interests of property, Washington was he asserted that he did not order the retreat; honored with the first place; but even that it commenced from some mistake of amongst the nearest and most cordial asso- orders or interference of subordinates; and ciates of that statesman there was a general that he was powerless to do any thing but mistrust of his military capacity. By many concur in it, and make it as orderly as poshe was looked upon only as a nominal chief, sible. He also argued that, though an acciacting under the guidance of the general dent, it was a lucky one. Anyhow, he forwho had served three European monarchs. got at the time to send information of his Self-sufficient and vain, boastful and, at retrograde movement to the main body, on the same time, earnest enough to persuade which he was retreating. All was in conhimself into a belief in his specious profes- fusion; when Washington, spurring up at sions, a droll mixture of charlatan and hero, full gallop, by indignant glances, rather than Lee saw the strength of his position, and by words, upbraided the general for his miswas not slow to improve it by practising conduct,-by a quickly effected re-arrangefearlessly upon the credulity of the simple ment of his forces, restored order, and after planters. They held him to be one of the a long and stubborn battle gained a hardgreatest captains of the age; it was not his won victory. By his gallant conduct on the part to undeceive them. They were fasci- field, subsequent to the retreat, Lee secured nated with the boldness and brilliance of his himself from any imputation of cowardice. literary style;-he coolly assured them that How to account for his blunder was the one he was Junius;-and it required a Junius topic of the army. There were many who controversy to convince them of the false- thought that he would fain have seen a genhood of so impudent an assertion. On the eral engagement, entered upon in opporesignation of Ward, whom in his habitual sition to his counsels, terminate in disaster. tone of contempt he described as "a fat old Others judged him more charitably. A gentleman, who had been a popular church- court-martial finding him guilty of disobediwarden, but had no acquaintance whatever ence to orders, of making an unnecessary with military affairs," Lee succeeded to the retreat, and of disrespect to the commandersecond command. A troublesome subordi-in-chief, sentenced him to be disabled from nate Washington found him. Holding him- holding any command in the army for twelve self at liberty to obey orders or not, as he months. Directing a sarcasm at Washingpleased, to scold Congress, and bully every ton, whom he regarded as a personal enemy, one who came in collision with his imperious the degraded general retired to an estate will, he caused the commander-in-chief in- he had purchased in Berkely County, Virfinite trouble. He was in his most insolent ginia, to learn to hoe tobacco, which is and lawless mood when he experienced the the best school to form a consummate gencruel humiliation of being taken a prisoner eral. This is a discovery I have lately of war in the December of 1776, by a patrol made." A fresh outburst of intemperance of thirty dragoons, under the command of completed his disgrace; and he was finally Lieutenant-Col. Harcourt, afterwards Earl dismissed by Congress from the service of Harcourt, F. M. His position was a peril- the States. Furious at his defeat, severed ous one. The Tories, both in England and from the country of his birth, dishonored in America, urged that a terrible example should the land of his adoption, he ended his days be made of an officer who, after wearing the after a brief illness in Philadelphia, in his king's uniform, had borne arms against his fifty-second year, October 2, 1782- a little

more than six months before the termination and re-establish British supremacy in Amerof the war. His death caused a deep sensa-ica. Of the particulars of this plan we need tion in America, and a violent reaction of not speak, save to say, in the language of feeling in his favor. His services alone Mr. Moore, that, "to the extent of his were remembered; his errors were forgotten. knowledge of the then circumstances of both He was interred with military honors; and armies, it was perfectly adapted for entire from that time the biographers and histori- success. Our interest with it lies princians of the United States have combined to pally in its moral significance, and in the speak of him with gratitude. With all insight which it gives us into the character parties his impetuous and ungovernable temper gained him credit for candor and sincerity. Washington Irving, balancing the virtues and failings of his character, says, "There was nothing crafty or mean in his character, nor do we think he ever engaged in the low intrigues of the cabal; but he was a disappointed man, and the gall of bitterness overflowed his generous qualities." In a similar spirit Jared Sparkes observes, "It should be said that he was wholly incapable of attempting any design by underhand means, plot, cabal, or intrigue, so often the resort of little minds and reckless ambition."

The startling revelation relating to this singularly guileless man, now for the first time published, is, that on March the 29th, 1777, whilst a prisoner of war, he sent in to Lord Howe and Sir William Howe a plan of operations that should effectually and permanently crush the Revolutionary army,

of a remarkable actor in an important drama of the world's history, whom his contemporaries and their successors alike failed to understand. Of course, in looking for the motive which induced this false soldier and craven prisoner (trembling for his life) to plan the ruin of that cause, on which he had staked fortune and reputation, it is impossible for any two men to arrive at different conclusions. Mr. Moore does not inform us through what channels he obtained possession of "the document-in Lee's own handwriting, unmistakable and real, and endorsed in the handwriting of Henry Strachey, the then Secretary to the Royal Commissioners." We trust that in his forthcoming "Memoirs of the Life and Treason of Charles Lee," based on Langworthy's Memoirs, he will be more communicative on this point. In England, we are in the habit of asking very pertinent questions about historical manuscripts.

I

EGYPTIAN MONUMENTS.-M. Mariette, as- | others. There has been nothing particular found sistant keeper of the Louvre, the remarkable at Elephantina, where the souvenirs of the sixth success of whose antiquarian researches in Egypt dynasty abound. My centre of operations is at have obtained much attention in this country as found a splendid statue of Queen Ammeritis, Thebes, where, besides some other fine things, well as in France, dated last year from the Sera- and the tomb, hitherto inviolate, of Queen Aahpeum, discovered by himself at Memphis, a let-hotep, of the eighteenth dynasty. In this last ter to a friend, in which he details pleasantly the tomb I discovered some fifty fine jewels, all bearresult of his clearings and excavations of the ing the name of Amosis and other kings of the temples of Edfou, Karnac, and Abydos. In the seventeenth dynasty. I believe this Queen Aahtemple of Karnac M. Mariette-according to a hotep to be the mother of Amosis, and wife of a translation of his letter given in the Critic-- certain king named Kames. Among the cariosities in this royal tomb was a barque worked in massive gold, with twelve rowers all in silver, and the whole mounted on a chariot of silver with four wheels. The pilot, the singer, and a third individual of whose functions I am ignorant, are wrought in gold. Much has been said of the treasure of Ferlini, but I believe it to be exceeded by that of Gournal."

"Made some pleasing discoveries, one of which is a granite stele, having engraved on it a long poem in honor of the conquests of Thothmosis III. On the newly cleared walls I found fragments of the famous numerical wall hitherto unknown, and in front of the great obelisk I discovered a small porch upon which are figured as many as two hundred and thirty Asiatic tribes conquered by Thothmosis III. The most interesting objects found during this clearing belong to the twelfth and thirteenth dynasties. At Abydos I commenced only very lately. It is a terrible piece of work. The excavations are carried on only at Memphis, Abydos, Thebes, and Elephantina. I shall soon commence some

M. Mariette describes himself as "Director of the Historical Monuments of Egypt, with the permission of H.M. the emperor.' " and defines his official duty as being "to guard against any possible injury the ancient monuments, and at the same time to form a museum for his highness the viceroy."

The

survivors of the unfortunate expedition, or that, in point of fact, accidents hardly ever that any very trustworthy information will be do happen on such occasions, and when they obtained as to the fortunes of the party do they may almost always be attributed to which left the ship, certainly does seem faint carelessness or neglect. A very similar rein the extreme. There are, no doubt, sev-mark applies to arctic explorations. eral instances on record which show that number of catastrophes that have occurred life in the far north is not so unhealthy, have, after all, been surprisingly few. Sir and that the difficulty of sustaining it is not John Franklin's expedition is, indeed, the so overwhelmingly great, as the vague pop-only one of the large number that have been ular notions on the subject seem to assume sent out within the last fifteen years that has it to be. In spite of the frightful hardships met with entire destruction. to which they were exposed, Dr. Hayes and It may also be urged that the means with his party contrived to maintain themselves which Mr. Snow proposes to undertake his amongst the natives, though they had hardly expedition are inadequate. After sending any shelter, and next to no provisions. It out so many and such elaborate vessels, it does, however, seem almost incredible that, may appear incongruous to despatch at last if any considerable number of Sir John a small schooner manned with a mere handFranklin's crew survived for any consider-ful of men. This objection is hardly susable time, they should not, in the course of tained by experience. The most successful twelve years, have found any means of effect-expeditions which have ever been undering their escape. taken to the north have been accomplished

deed, a small party is, in several respects, better fitted for such a purpose than a large one. A few men, all well acquainted with each other, and all intent upon a common object, are far more likely to be friendly, and to have a good common understanding, than a larger number. They will also naturally be chosen with more distinct reference to personal qualifications, and may, therefore, be presumed to know and have confidence in each other before they set out.

It may appear to many persons that the with very small means. Captain M'Clintock peril attendant upon such an expedition as had a small vessel and very few men, and the one which is proposed would be so seri-Dr. Kane's means were still more limited; ous that no one ought to be encouraged to yet, in each instance, very conspicuous and incur it; but, independently of the consider- memorable services were performed. Ination that this is rather a question for those who run the risk than for those who enable them to do so, the danger would not seem to be as great, in fact, as it appears to be at first sight. Almost every thing is, in reality, far less dangerous than a graphic description of it makes it appear to be. This is not owing to boasting or exaggeration on the part of the authors of such descriptions and, certainly, nothing can, as a rule, be simpler or more manly than the descriptions of arctic voyages-but to the fact that the imagination is influenced, and the memory impressed, with the picturesque and striking circumstances which constitute the danger, and not with the minute and commonplace incidents by which the danger is averted. Any one who has ever made the ascent of a mountain, or crossed a glacier in Switzerland, knows quite well how many scores of places he has passed over which could only be described in language from which a person who had never seen such places would infer that it must be in the highest degree dangerous to approach them; yet they are not really dangerous to any one who has good nerves, and who is particular in taking the precautions for his safety which experience has discovered. The proof of this is

Such are some of the considerations which are alleged in favor of the proposed expedition. They may not, perhaps, raise a very sanguine expectation of its success, but they certainly seem to relieve it from the imputation of being either hopeless or uncalled for. Indeed, when an enterprise which is unquestionably bold and disinterested asks for public support, the burden of proof is rather upon those who discourage it. Arctic exploration has contributed so many very bright pages to our naval history that we cannot help feeling what is perhaps an unreasonable leaning in favor of a proposal to add one more to the long list of gallant adventures by which its annals have been distinguished.