mysterious Joan of Arc, took to their heels, | and left the French army in possession of the field. This tale, unsupported by another testimony, is utterly false; for although it is a fact that Sir John was put to flight at Patay, the tale of his being degraded from the Order of the Garter, is proved untrue by the circumstance of his regular attendance at the chapters of the order long after the period at which his degradation is stated to have taken place. Shakspeare, however, did not forget this story; witness the first part of Henry VI., where Lord Talbot says: Shame on the Duke of Burgundy and thee! Which I have done, because unworthily The crowning exploit of Sir John was his brave conduct at the battle of the Herrings; and how could a Yarmouth man fail to con quer in such a battle? With a small band of Englishmen, he routed a numerous French army, commanded by "le jeune et beau Dunois" himself. The battle got its name from the circumstance of our knight making a kind of fortification with his wagons, which were for the most part full of herrings; for, besides the army being led by a Yarmouth man, the season was Lent, and these two circumstances combined show the reason of his carrying so large a quantity of that small but excellent fish. The year following the affair at Patay found Sir John lieutenant of Caen; and he was sent in 1432 as ambassador to the council of Basle, where he seems to have fulfilled his duty satisfactorily, for he was afterwards sent to conclude a peace with France. A few years, after this event, the good old knight retired from service, with glory and renown; he turned his steps towards his native place, and, building a castle at Caistor, there spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1459, and was buried at the priory of Broomholm. His resting-place while dead, and his habitation while living, have bowed before the stroke of time, and nothing now remains but a few mouldering, crumbling walls. A few years more, and all will be gone. In his retirement, Sir John was not oblivious of the advantages of learning. In that age little encouragement was given to literaThe translation of Tully de Senectute was ture, but to that little, he contributed a part. made by his order, and printed in 1481, by the father of English printing. To Oxford, he was a bountiful benefactor; nor was he forgetful of the sister university of Cambridge. He was intent in his old age upon founding a college for seven priests, and the same number of poor men: but unexpected difficulties arrested its progress, and death proved an irresistible obstacle to its completion. Such was the Falstaff of fact, a soldier of courage and conduct, and altogether, for his age, a worthy and respectable character. It will always, probably, remain a mystery how Shakspeare should have thought of adopting for his extraordinary personation of sensuality, cowardice, and drollery, the name, first of a virtuous martyr, and, secondly, of a thoroughly noble soldier. So it was, however; and never, while the English language endures, shall we cease to recognise in the word Falstaff, instead of a name of honor and dignity, a signal for raising mirth. M. ALEXANDRE DUMAS.-M. Alexandre Dumas writes to the Presse, that, unfortunately, the story told, and, moreover, vouched for, by a correspondent of the Indépendance Belge, of an octogenarian having left him a legacy of 3,000,000f. is a fable. He has already, he says, received, on the faith of the announcement, applications from creditors for 163,000f; so that, even had the news been true, he would now have only a balance of 137,000f. He throws out the hint that some kind friend may have perhaps invented the story, in the hope of putting into the head of some octogenarian or nonagenarian to bequeath a fortune to him. In that case, he takes the will for the deed, and begs to thank his anonymous friend. LITERARY MISCELLANIES. FANNY FERN has reappeared in a more elaborate and painstaking performance than she has yet vouchsafed, in the form of a novel, entitled "ROSE CLARK." It has every element of earnestness, power, and satire that she has ever evinced a more decided picture is seldom to be seen. It portrays the miseries and oppressions of a young charity orphan, so as to bring out in frightful relief the world's uncharitableness, and the deformity of hypocrisy and fashion. It is intense in feeling, severely beautiful in style, with not a waste word, or an overdrawn line, and pregnant with a wise lesson. (MASON BROTHERS.) may notice the death of Prof. Johnston, author of several works on Chemistry, chiefly in its relation to geology and agriculture. His latest publication was a treatise on the "Chemistry of Common Life." The Rev. Dr. Gilley, Canon of Durham Cathedral, and biographer of Felix Neff, died on the 10th of September. Mr. Henry Lawson, of Bath, Fellow of the Royal and Astronomical Societies, who offered his scientific instruments to found an observatory at Nottingham, on conditions which, depending mainly on Government assistance, were not fulfilled, died last month; also Sir Robert Adair, at the advanced age of 92, author Messrs. IVISON & PHINNEY have published in of "A Memoir of the Negociations for the Peace two very handsome volumes, illustrated with a of the Dardanelles in 1808-9," and various political portrait of the author, the Miscellaneous Reviews pamphlets. The Right Hon. Sir Henry Ellis, and Essays of the Rev. ALBERT BARNES, of Phila-K.C.B., auhtor of "An Embassy to China," in 4to., delphia. Many of these originally appeared anonymously, and are for the first time here traced to their parentage. Among them are some very able efforts of general interest, which stamp the author as a man of both erudition and genius. The Essay on Butler's Analogy is a very suggest ive treatise; eloquent in manner, and profound in its speculations. Other articles are equally interesting, and all evince a candid spirit, clear and conclusive logic, and broad views of men and truth. Mr. HERBERT, in a tale of much dramatic skill and interest, has pictured an important phase of early English history. It is entitled the " Wager of Battle," and represents the state of society at and subsequent to the Conquest, with historic accuracy and great force. It is a work of more than passing interest, and throws clear light upon an obscure era. (MASON BROTHERS.) 1817, is lately deceased. Professor Busch, Director of the Observatory of Königsburg, in Prussia, died a few days ago of cholera. A series of books, entitled "The Library of Old Authors," is announced. Each volume will consist of a distinct work at a moderate price. Several volumes are already in the press, or in preparation. Macmillan and Co. are preparing "Lectures on the History of Philosophy from the Earliest Times until the New Platonists," edited by Professor Thompson, of Cambridge. Mr. Harrison Ainsworth is engaged upon a story which will appear in monthly parts. A new work is preparing by Mr. Thomas Hood, son of the author of "Whims and Oddities." Mr. George Roberts, author of "The History of the Duke of Monmouth," and a well-known collector of manuscripts, has written a work, which will shortly appear, on the "Social History of the People of the Southern Counties of England in Past Centuries." Among the new periodicals which are announced to start next month, is the "Saturday Review of Politics, Literature, Science, and Art." "The Commentator,' a new weekly political and liter The American Debater” is a manual for the aid of students and members of debating clubs, pointing out clearly the fundamental laws of dialectics, and adducing examples for study and guidance. It exhibits proofs of unquestionable skill and experience, and can hardly fail to be useful. (IVISON & PHINNEY.) ROBERT CARTER & BROTHERS have published a work of remarkable character, made more remarkable by the tampering to which it has been sub-ary journal, will also make its first appearance. A jected in republishing. A mutilated copy was first Popular History of England," in monthly parts, issued, apparently adapted to suit certain theolo- by Mr. Charles Knight, will commence in January gical prejudices, and greatly impairing the value next. of the work. This edition presents the whole work; and it is one of great ingenuity and research, detailing the conversations of the author with the Jesuit teachers of the Irish priesthood. It should be attentively read by all who desire to understand fully the animus of the subject upon which it treats. The introduction by Dr. Tyng is in terms of strong commendation. In the State Paper Office are still deposited the MS. of Milton's "Treatise on Christian Doctrine,' and a letter addressed by him to Bradshaw, in favor of Andrew Marvel, dated Feb. 21, 1652. The King of the Belgians has offered a prize of 3,000 francs to the author of the best History of the Reign of the Archdukes Albert and Isabella. Among the late Obituaries of men of letters, we In the "Run and Read Library," several new works of interest are preparing, which cannot fail to recommend themselves to the purchasers of cheap literature. Thiers' continuation of his "History of the Consulate," long promised, is at length announced as actually in the press. Two novels are expected in a few days; one from the pen of Paul de Koch, and the other by M. Montepin. The Siècle is about to open its columns to another work of fiction by the author of the "Mysteries of Paris." George Sand is said to be engaged in writing a play in five acts, for the Théatre Française. Two new volumes, in continuation of Michelet's "History of France," have lately been published, on the Rénaissance and Réforme. |