to our own consciences and the assurances we have received, we have not been altogether unsuccessful. But "a jest's prosperity lies in the ear of him that hears it;" so does also the happy result of things more serious, if less witty. Luckily for our well-being, and the moral character of this periodical, that the field of humour was already so well filled by two rival publications, that there would have been a manifest impropriety in our venturing as a new candidate for public favour, any more than very occasionally within its precincts. We have not done so-but have preferred rather to start with, what a high literary authority, in a letter to ourself, styles "high hopes and high objects"-and we have proceeded in the confidence that there was and is a public for rational and ethical argument, for poetical and critical exercitation. Have we found such a public? We have! We have lost, it would seem, none of our old subscribers by the change of conduct; and we have gained many new ones. There is yet something sterling and sound in the heart of the English reader-if the writer have but the faith to trust it, to appeal to it, and to provide for it. Public taste and public opinion are made not found;-it is the product of authorial influence, not of popular sagacity. The man of genius creates it by his works, which are (not to speak it profanely) his angels that, by disturbing the waters, make a Bethesda of a pool. The public mind is stagnant until stirred by his ministrations. It is the poem, the picture, the statue, that awakens,-kindles principles. Man first learns that he has an eye for beauty, when first he looks on beauty. The eye, however, pre-existed, else no beauty had been seen. Let us have confidence in this pre-existent eye-as strong a practical confidence as Plato had a speculative belief in the doctrine of pre-existence itself, and which, perhaps-nay certainly—is nothing more than an abstract and theoretical statement of the rule relative to such facts as the one we have just stated. Our confidence indeed in the fact depends on the assumption of its being the type of a principle, the symbol of a law. The fact is enunciative of a truth including it. It is the segment of a circle-the fraction of a sphere. Shall a Cuvier from a single joint predicate the whole animal? Even so the moral philosopher for one instance shall judge of all, as subjects of one and the same antecedent idea.

To commence a work in the faith that we have thus commended, as well as practically tried, presumes a large series of logical assumptions already postulated and decided on by the editor or author. A corresponding boldness, or well-placed consciousness of power, is accordingly on his part implied. We need not wonder, therefore, that there are few who have the courage to take so much for granted;-neither should we advise that any thing should be taken for granted, unless first it be previously given. Not furtively, but honestly, works the author or editor of genius. The axioms on which he proceeds are self-evident principles, because it has been granted to him truly to see them-to see himself as such. Never comes truth to man, unaccompanied with the oracular assurance, that it is great, and will prevail. There is no power but moral

power-physical might is but its image, exists only because that pre-exists. The image may fall-may be degraded-trodden into clay, pulverised into dust-but the original, always erect, never less than divine, is seated above the heavens, imperishably entire. The right is the original might-the converse of the proposition is but the physical side of the great truth, which to be properly understood must be read upon the obverse. Every man of true genius reads the coin on its true face-understands the image and inscription-its date and value. Enlightened by wisdom, he walks in safety, and arrives at the mount of glory through the temple of honour. The path of the just man is sure, and his reward is

certain.

What begins in paradox ends in truism and triteness. We have all along been discoursing of an old friend with a new face-or with a face that had grown obsolete—or rather, we have neglected to intervisit with that friend for so many years, that now we scarcely, with the alterations made by time, are able to recognise his features. Thus at first we are startled, but after a while the "old familiar" feelings return on the heart, and all is as it was— and the strange has vanished. These truths are not alien, though you may not have been accustomed to think of them lately-reflect on them, even for a short period, and from the burial places of your memory, the dead bodies will arise, the dry bones will quicken and reunite-flesh will supervene, and all, fitly knit together, live as in the days that have flown. The flight of time shall only be like that of an arrow through the air-no traces shall be left of its passage. All that shall remain of its transit shall be the remembrance and the impression, that "once it was there-and lo! now it is here!" You pick up the shaft and replacing it in your quiver, feel that you have not lost what you have only used. Let then the regained be treasure for a sacred duty; and know that we have restored some neglected truths to you, prize them for better tasks and worthier efforts, than those they were once applied to, when their value was less felt. Experience is as armour to a mantherewith he goeth to war with less peril, and with greater means of conquest. Even so, dear reader, be it with you.

In the light and under the influence of such eternal verities, we have proceeded in our task, relying on the superior minds that undertake to lead public opinion for success. We know that among those the leaven of a better taste had been slowly winning its way, and that the moment was come when "the strike" might be hoped to take place. Nor, on the whole, have we been disappointed; yet, in some few instances, we have found reason to wonder at a strange kind and degree of ignorance in the critic, that certainly is not in the general reader. It is clear to us, that some of the newspaper remarks on our version of the SECOND Part of Faust proceeded on the supposition of its being the first part. Now the Second Part of Faust has never been translated in England, but the first part has been so frequently rendered as to make the appearance of new versions almost ridiculous. We found some of our critics, however, testifying to the spirit and literal accuracy

of the translation of the SECOND Part in this Journal as being superior to any that they had as yet seen. We fear much that such an opinion indicates that the writer knew nothing of either part, either in the original or by translation.

We found in other instances also, that we were not only leading the public but the critical mind of the time. But it would be invidious, and in other respects not advantageous to give examples. Rather let us take heed to our own steps; and, in friendly commune with the loving reader, ask him how we have kept our pledges.

POETRY. The examples in this kind that we have given have met with so much approbation, that we may we think safely assume, that we have not fallen short, in this difficult path, of what in reason might have been expected. Of our translated poetry, we may boldly state, that it is of the first order. The SECOND Part of GOTHE'S FAUST must now begin to dawn on the reader's mind as one of the most marvellous works ever produced-a poem containing either expressly or by allusion every thing that has entered the human intelligence. It involves nothing less than a mythos of nan and his destiny. Several German commentaries lie before us, in which laudable attempts are made to develope the difficult passages. These we will sift, ourselves, on some convenient occasion. In the mean time, we must content ourselves with one. What does Göthe mean by "the Mothers?" Mr. Hayward tells us that he never met with any one who could tell him. One of the critics before us volunteers information on the point.

"Those characters of ancient mythology who approach nearest to the Mothers, are the Parce or Fates. But it is supposed that Göthe desired only to allegorise his opinions concerning the Transition of the Divine Idea into matter. Göthe writes concerning them to Eckermann thus-'I can not tell you any thing concerning them, but that I found it mentioned by Plutarch, that, in Greek antiquity, the Mothers are spoken of as Deities. This is all that I owe to tradition, the rest is my own invention." It is clear from Göthe's scientific explanation, that he considered the universe as a household ordered even to the smallest detail, in which nothing is lost, nothing is in vain or fortuitous; but every being is connected with another, and every form of existence is only the germ of a higher order of being, and that every thing that has ever existed is continuous, independent, and is always striving to uphold itself more perfectly.

"Göthe," the same writer continues, "represents the whole kingdom of the Becoming, of the primitive matter striving after form, and from desolation again striving after form, as under the government of certain mysterious goddesses, in the pictures of unbound space."

Connected with THE MOTHERS, is another fancy on the Tripod, which," in the Grecian interpretation of fables, is an emblem of the three periods or seasons of the ancient year, when the winter (which in that happy clime is only recognizable by rains and storms) was not counted as a season. In China, the Tripod is considered

as a symbol of the mind. The dwelling of the mothers being discovered by means of a glowing tripod, is designed to represent the creative light, and the passage into Time." Such are the means then by which Faust gains access to the Mothers-the three maternal principles.

To whatever light this commentary may throw on the passage in question, the reader is welcome, until we come to still further elucidation of Göthe's works in general, and this work in particular. We think that we may claim for our critical essays on poetical productions, the merit of suggesting principles. Our decisions have generally been considered just. The papers, also, that have been inserted on foreign poets, of both past and present time, in Spain, France, and Germany, may challenge comparison with any that have yet appeared. Professor Pepoli and Mr. Oxenford, the writers of those articles, have in them well sustained their reputation.

PHILOSOPHY. We have admitted articles which are of a catholic tendency, though differing from the style in which we should ourselves have treated the subject. Thus our Syncretist and Cryptologist have been permitted their own fashions of argument, though for both we substitute, when treating of similar subjects, a prothetic position; assuming the One, rather than the Unity. Our mode of handling preserves the catholicity of view, without being chargeable with latitudinarianism or eclecticism-two aberrations of logic that must be avoided. In treating of the Tracts for the Times, of Prayers for the Dead, and the Fictions of Law, specimens have been given of the higher forms of reasoning.

Do we go beyond the mark, in taking credit to ourselves for our Consecutive articles? By the due application of editorial prudence, we have been enabled in alternate papers to complete, in one and the same volume, several arguments, both historical, scientific, and critical. We allude to those on the Zoolus and Port Natal-the Undulatory Theory of Light-the writings of Milton, and the poetry of Novalis and Lamartine. We have proceeded also regularly with two series of tales, which will be pursued to the end of the year, when a new romantic cycle shall commence. Other subjects, of which we have just indicated the beginnings, will receive completion in the ensuing volume. In this manner, we shall give an interest and conclusiveness to our labours, a point in which periodical literature is, for the most part, egregiously deficient. Trusting that these efforts will be met by the public with approbation, we confide in its justice, that we shall not be suffered to proceed without our reward. We therefore boldly solicit patronage, both for the present and the future.

POLITICS. It is not needed to repeat the principles on which we proposed to conduct this section of our plan. We trust, that we have filled it up without partizanship, and that our registry has been more practical than theoretical. We now take up the subject where it was left in the last number.

SIR ROBERT PEEL having determined to take the sense of the House on the motion for Mr. Speaker's leaving the chair, on the ministerial bill for suspending the constitution of Jamaica, on Fri

day (the 3rd of May,) and the debate therefore being adjourned to the Monday following (the 6th,) when the majority in favour of the measure was but five (ayes 284, noes 289)—the resignation of the ministers became inevitable. The Duke of Wellington was accordingly sent for by Her Majesty, who, on his advice, intrusted Sir Robert Peel with the formation of a new administration. From the Melbourne Cabinet, it appears that Her Majesty parted with great regret, and even went to the extreme of making an effort to retain them in office, by restricting Sir Robert from interfering with the Ladies of Her household, as contrary to usage, and repugnant to her feelings." The expectant Premier, under these circumstances, at once, in his letter, resigned; and the affairs of the country, for a while, rest again on the feeble shoulders of Lord Melbourne and his Colleagues. This state of things is very anomalous, and indicates the present uncertainty of mere party and political movements, which are now liable to continual disturbance, from the intervention of personal motives, feelings and prepossessions. But the best illustrations of the principles involved, are to be found in the actual statements made by the parties concerned. Sir Robert Peel, according to his own statement, was ready to undertake the government of the country, notwithstanding the alarming condition of public affairs. The state of India, the state of Jamaica, the state of Canada, require immediate consideration, and some the instant application of legislative measures. The internal state of this country also-Insurrection in the provinces, the Queen's Proclamation, and the Letter of Lord John Russell to the Electors of Stroud, inviting the respectable part of the population, in many parts of the country, to take up arms, devolved more than ordinary duties on the new premier. Sir Robert Peel nevertheless intended to conduct, if possible, public affairs through the intervention of the present parliament; and this notwithstanding the inconvenience of having to commence office with a minority of five, and that minority including ten gentlemen on whose general support he could not calculate. But the chief difficulty is-Ireland. On that question Sir Robert Peel would have been in a minority of at least twenty. The chief members of the Irish government whose policy was approved of, were the Marquis of Normanby and Lord Morpeth. The two chief offices in her Majesty's household are filled by the sister of Lord Morpeth and the wife of the Marquis of Normanby. Such is Sir Robert Peel's case, and it is the political aspect of the question.

That the Queen did not yield to these merely political considerations, comes again in support of our proposition, that the political is apparently in abeyance, and the human dominant. That Lord John Russell had full consciousness of this sentiment, we do not believe, but the considerations stated by him are not the less on that account illustrative of the principle suggested by ourself. Admitting Sir Robert Peel's political difficulties, Lord John contended, that the baronet instead of gaining strength against them, by imposing a condition which was repugnant to her Majesty, would have thereby increased his weakness. "If her Majesty," said his lordship, had granted the change against her will-if she had con

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