149 The Decameron; or Ten Days Entertainment of Boccaccio.-The Picture. The Decameron: or, Ten Days Entertainment of Boccaccio, translated from the Italian. The second Edition corrected and improved. To which are prefixed, Remarks on the Life and Writings of Boccaccio, and an Advertisement. By the Author of Old Nick, &c. 2 vols. 1804. 150 is far more seducing than that of Boccaccio; the The additions and alterations which have been made in this second edition of the translation of the The account of the Life and Writings of Boccaccio, Decameron, constitute it in a considerable degree a new work, and call for some observations from the which is prefixed to the present edition, displays not of facts extracted from various sources. This is all critic. The very great reputation for wit and elegance a little research, and contains a considerable collection which this work of Boccaccio has continued to prethe merit which the modest Editor presumes to aspire serve during several centuries, naturally excites a desire to see this admired genius appear in an English to, and this merit we willingly allow him. We must dress, such as he has been universally considered however observe, that the specimen which he here point him out as the person qualified to display Bocby his countrymen. To translate wit and elegance is gives of his style in original composition, does not however a very difficult task; and the meaning of an author who is distinguished for these qualities may be caccio in a proper English dress. We copy the first sentence as a warning to young authors, who expect given, without almost an atom of his original character being represented in the translation. The vivacity to become fine writers by turning a sentence and acof Boccaccio is almost necessary to transfuse the spirit cumulating sounding words without a meaning: "The human mind, in a cultivated state, is naturally of the Decameron into English. The translation before us is attended with many disadvantages, which prone, and fondly devoted to the study, and conconspire to render it a very imperfect copy of the ori-templation of the mental efforts of man and we inginal, even without conveying any marked reflection cline to the attainment of every intelligence respecton the inadequacy of the present Editor's abilities.ing the character and habits, and even the features The first edition of it, which was published in 1741, contained many grammatical errors, and several misapprehensions of the meaning of the author. The language was besides pervaded by that obsolete and ungraceful manner of expression, which still continued to adhere to inferior writers, for half a century after the Augustan age of Queen Anne; nor was it difficult to discover that the work was a translation from a language differing in idiom and arrangement. The present Editor has undertaken to correct these defects; but in doing so, he inforins us in his advertise. ment, that he did not consider himself at liberty to make such mutations as his judgment would at all times have suggested to him. The translation as it is now presented to us, is therefore at best an old wardrobe of the last century, made up anew and fitted to the present mode. We do not question the industry, or even the taste of the workman, but we must say that all his skill has not been able to reduce the shapes entirely to the new mode, nor even to conceal the stitching and wrinkles of the former plaiting. and looks of men celebrated for their genius, with a Ω. The Picture; Verses written in London, May 28, 1803. Suggested by a magnificent Landscape of Rubens, in possession of Sir George Beaumont, by the Rev. W. Lisle Bowles. Cadell and Davies. 4to. 20 pp. Amidst the swarm of clubbed Poets, who have buzzed about our ears, and stunned the public with their noise, we are glad to observe the productions That this is the best English translation of Boccaccio of real genius. Mr. Bowles has long been deservedly at present in existence, we shall not dispute; but placed in the first class of modern poets. The Muse certainly it does not yet present to us that picture of of fire, yet of melancholy, who has hitherto inspired all his publications, breathes throughout the preto which is added considerablo this agreeable author which we could wish to see sent didactic poem : offered to our countrymen. The licentiousness of the novelty in point of composition. The Poem is in Decameron in many instances justly merits condemnation; and we should be satisfied to see several of blank verse, and its author has added a striking the tales entirely omitted in a translation. We ques-beauty, by introducing the following Song, which has tion however whether the general tenor of the Decameron is calculated to produce any real injury to morality. It represents a state of manners so entirely different from those of the present day, that the licentiousness of the Florentines rather makes us learn with surprise what sentiments prevailed in the fourteenth century, than excites in our minds any congeThe libertinism of Fontaine, apnial emotions. proaching much nearer the present state of manners, the effect of an air in an overture of music: Of yonder Milk-Maid, as she brims her pail, K 2 Leave the loud tumultuous throng, To the Milk-Maid's simple Song. SONG. "Forget me not, tho' forced to go Wide o'er the roaring sea; When the night-winds blow, In the paly sky My Love I will think of thee. "He look'd in my eyes, for I could not speak: O then, my own true Sailor said, Though the roaring Sea Part my Love and me; My bonny, bonny Bride, She shall be the young milk-maid." The following passage will best enable our readers to judge of the uncommon merit of this poem: Still let us gaze, And image ev'ry form of heart-felt joy Yet cheerful as the green Sea, when it shines "On the balustrade Of the old bridge, that o'er the moat is thrown, For whom his youthful heart beat, fondly beat, In a note to this Poem, we are informed that Sir George Beaumont has had it in contemplation to illustrate the picturesque character of Theocritus, from new translations by Messrs. Sotheby, Rogers, Howley, W. Spencer, and Mr. Bowles. S. Q. Mrs. Trimmer, and other women of talents, for this laudable purpose, cannot be sufficiently applauded. It is here that female writers appear in their most useful and most amiable character, fostering early virtue, and infusing proper sentiments into the uninformed minds of the young. For such praise-worthy labours of some of our fair country-women, we are inclined in a great measure to pardon those of their sister authoresses, who have flooded the literary world with their torrents of sentiment and nonsense. The plan followed by Miss Hays, of adapting a novel of reputation for the perusal of youth, is worthy of imitation. There is scarcely a novel in our language, where the real manners of life are accurately and elegantly described, which, either from its length, its intricate story, or its licentious descriptions, is not unfit to be put into the hands of youth not yet arrived at some maturity of judgement. Yet were these obstacles removed, what could be put into the hands of the inexperienced with more advantage, than such well-drawn pictures of life? They would thus be enabled to reap the fruits of experience without its concomitant dangers. We are aware that many strong arguments have been advanced in favour of preferring real to fictitious histories for the instruction of youth; and were any real histories in existence, or likely to be in existence, which could afford to the ignorant compleat examples for their future conduct, we should not hesitate in giving them a decided preference. But for such, we shall look in vain: for in political histories, minute details of character are seldom to be expected, and still more seldom found; and our biographies are all so much a recital of incidents, without causes or connection, that the few sign-posts they present are altogether insufficient to direct the inexperienced traveller through the forest with which he is totally unacquainted. A conviction of this truth induced Xenophon, a philosopher who had examined and understood human nature, to write his Cyropedia, that inestimable treasure of instruction for princes and statesmen. We may indeed affirm that all the histories and biographies in the English language do not afford so many distinct and applicable examples for directing the conduct of early youth, as are to be found in Robinson Crusoe, and Sandford and Merton. The Fool of Quality, of which the little volume before us is an abridgement, was professedly undertaken by its author, Mr. Brookes, for the instruction of youth. The succeeding deprivation of reason, however, which overtook this unhappy genius before he had concluded the second volume, caused him frequently to waver in his plan; and the three last volumes, which were written during lucid intervals, frequently betray the wanderings of a distempered imagination. To retrench useless digressions, and in particular those long religious discussions which certainly are often utterly incomprehensible to a child, are the avowed objects of the present abridgement. The judgement with which the retrenchments are generally made may receive some approbation. The retention of the story of Hammel Clement however deserves reprehension. To parents and instructors this episode is undoubtedly useful; but for the perusal of youth of the most tender years, for whom the abridgement is avowedly intended, it is worse than useless. It is a bad principle to inculcate on their opening minds, that parents may be capricious, cruel, and unjust. because they abounded in wild boars and wolves all the year round; and woodcocks in the season. In truth the Baron, lame, blind of an eye, and with only one armı, could not easily hunt; yet a Baron, be he what he will, must always remember his former dignity: but the sight of six thousand florins, paid down, consoled him for the loss of his wood; and he delivered them to Brandt, with strict orders to use them for the glory and necessities of his colonel. had just made, had dreadfully diminished his finances. He was short of ready cash, nor had Brandt the slightest objection to it; besides, so august a person as the Baron of Felsheim ought to cut a figure in his domains, to receive and entertain the barons, his neighbours; and this was not There is something in the general tenor of Mr. to be done without money. Thus circumstanced, he Brookes's narrative which we could have wished, for resolved upon selling a few acres of wood, separated from the benefit of youth, to see remedied in this abridge-his principal estate, but which he nevertheless regretted, ment. There is a sickly sort of sentiment, probably arising from his state of mind, which pervades his work. The misfortunes of the wretched are indeed relieved; but they are relieved by means which seldom occur in real life. Many seem brought into a distress from which an effort of industry might have extricated them, merely to afford opportunities for exercising the beneficence of Mr. Fenton and his adopted son. Resources to supply such beneficence are in the power of few; the impression therefore left on the mind of the youthful reader, who is not possessed of them, is a mournful regret that he does not possess the means of being a Harry Clinton. Such impressions are calculated to produce a dispirited languor, instead of arousing industry, and exciting an active emulation. It is the peculiar praise of the works we mentioned above, Robinson Crusoe and Sandford and Merton, that they present examples of supplying the wants and relieving the distresses of others, by means within the reach of every one who has industry enough to exert himself. If Miss Hays would undertake the useful task of forming the sentiments and actions of Harry Clinton on this principle, we should not fail to applaud her exertions, and recommend her work to every parent and instructor. Ω. "Thus Brandt added the important functions of treasurer, to the brilliant and numerous employments with which he had before been honoured. As he was a man of profound judgment, he soon discovered that he could not execute them all; and one night, after they had retired to their beds, he advised the Baron, as he filled out his twentieth glass, to put his establishment upon a footing adequate to his birth and fortune; but his harangue was which, as soon as Brandt discovered, he emptied the last vain, for the Baron had lost the power of attending, bottle, and went to sleep. My lord Baron' said Brandt when they awoke, I have, at times, excellent ideas; which are lost when I do not communicate them immediately. I was thinking last night--' - What?' I am trying to recollect!......Oh! now I have it. you are possessed of six thousand florins per annum, a magnificent Castle; are as noble as all the chapters of Germany put together, and you live like a miser."How so? Why, except you and I, and a few owls, not a creature is to be seen in this place. You ought to have parasites to flatter you, and hangers-on to eat you up; for we two cannot possibly drink to the amount of six thousand florins a-year. I know your valiant atchievements The Barons of Felsheim, a Romance. Translated from the French of Pigault Lebrun. 3 vols. 12mo. Lane. This eccentric and interesting work may be de-by heart; and whom can you in future entertain with them, nominated a Military Novel, in which historical facts and characters are judiciously introduced, and impressed on the reader's mind: notwithstanding some few which have a savour of republican senpassages timents and principles, we can recommend it to our young soldiers of rank and fashion, as an antidote to the many evils that surround them: and we assert, that no one will arise from its perusal without being gratified at the variety of incidents, and the considerable portion of novelty which it contains. The author does not take off his wonted cap with bells, as Sterne would style it, until the death of the second Baron of Felsheim that is mentioned, Ferdinand the 15th. Previous to this the reader is amused, and sometimes distracted, at the manner in which two old German soldiers ride their respective hobby-horses; the one a Baron, and the other an old Hussar who had been his quarter-master. The German character is admirably preserved, and forms a counter-part, without being an imitation of English military follies, as displayed in uncle Toby and Trim. The German baron, and his old hussar, Brandt, keep up their revels at a dilapidated castle in Lower Saxony, at a short distance from Lunebourg, supposed to have been built by the famous Witikind, at the time of the invasion of Charlemagne : "The repairs of the Castle, and the payment the Baron but the nobility of the neighbourhood?' I have had some thoughts of that,' said the Baron. But how can you receive them, if you have no attendants? I am your butler, cook, caterer, valet de chambre, squire, huntsinan, and treasurer. It is lamentable my lord, there is no style, no air in it, and a man like you, was made to be conspicuous. You are right; and from this moment, I appoint you my major-domo; chuse your subordinates.' "Brandt rose, dressed, breakfasted, and flew to the village. There he picked up an old house-keeper who had lived with the curate, whom he constituted cook; two shepherds, whom he made huntsmen; and four dogs, that he converted into a pack of hounds. The school-master who knew a little church-music, was chosen to compose pointed grand-almoner; six brisk lads became his pages, the Baron's harmonies; the Vicar of the place was apand eight deserters formed his body-guard. "This large establishment, at first alarmed the Baron; but his major-domo speedily dissipated his fears, by inform ing him of the different emoluments destined for each. The cook was to have for wages the broken victuals and the usual surplus of the kitchen; out of which she agreed to furnish yearly two fat pigs. The huntsmen were to have the game that was not eaten at the castle. The pack to live at the expence of the neighbouring flocks. The schoolmaster to receive half a florin for every romance he should be required to sing. The grand-almoner a florin and a dinner every Sunday, for celebrating a short mass in the chapel of the castle, and pronouncing the funeral orations of all the Barons of Felsheim: from Ferdinand the Frat to Ferdinand the Fourteenth inclusive. The pages were coming a new man, and resigned himself to his fate. allowed a new coat made of some old tapestry, which Charles entered the king's Study: the simplicity of his Brandt had discovered in a closet, besides soup and bread, dress, which seemed to say to the beholders, the exand what else they could pilfer out of the pantry. Theternal appearance is something, when the individual is body-guards were equipped as hussars, in some old regi-nothing; the facility with which he was approached, the mentals that were left when the Baron's corps was disbanded; and enjoined to live as they could, but to conduct themselves civilly; and, when they stole any poultry, to do it without making them cry out. In short, Brandt took upon himself to bring to reason such of the Baron's vassals as this arrangement might displease, and these conditions proposed and accepted, every one entered on his post." The Author occasionally introduces some pertinent and keen reniarks on the prevailing literary follies of the age; and throughout displays a knowledge of character, and an attention to the minute shades by which it is formed. piercing fire of his looks, and the high character fame had already published of this Prince, all conspired to penetrate the young man with wonder, and respect. He stood near the door, hardly daring to breathe, and his heart beat with incredible force. The king had a large map of Silesia before him, seemed buried in reflection, and was making notes. made him a sign to come forward. "At length, he turned towards the young page, and How old are you?'→ Fifteen and a half. What do you know?'- Very of mathematics, drawing, geography, history and music. little, Sire. No words; what do you know?'- A little Let us see; how do you take the surface of a circle?" The Second Volume of this military Romance opens In multiplying the circumference by half the radius.'with the history of Tekeli, the celebrated Hungarian What is painting? The art of imitating objects by the soldier and King; who was born in 1658, and mar- means of light and shade. Which is the first fortified ried the Princess Rugorski, daughter of the Count de town in Silesia on the side of Brandenburg?'—' Glogan.' Serin, in 1682.-After a life of anxiety, and sudden-The king was silent a moment, and regarded Charles reverses of fortune, this distinguished warrior died at stedfastly, who embarrassed beyond expression, knew not Constantinople on the 15th of September, 1705. Charles recovered himself a little. which way to look. Raise your eyes and look at me.' Can you draw a plan? The general outline of his history, at least the beginning of it, is well preserved by our author, and may serve to draw the attention of our countrymen to the hitherto neglected history of Hungary. After this digression, the attention of the reader is directed to the court of the celebrated Frederic, King of Prussia, with whom Charles, the young Baron of Felsheim lives as a page. Frederic's character is admirably supported, and some of his principal battles are narrated with spirit. I never tried. Can you copy one?'- Yes, Sire.'Can you ride on horseback? My mother would never permit me.- Can you ride on horseback?'-No; Sire,' Are you afraid of horses?' I am afraid of nothing. This is the manner in which I like to have my questions answered: Adjutant, I place this young man amongst the pages of my chamber; he shall not follow the lessons of the preceptor, but you will make him ride on afternoon. I wish him to be able to follow me in less than horseback two hours every morning, and as long in an a month. Go, and get him his uniform!' On his first arrival at Berlin the young soldier prepares to present himself before Frederic in all the cos- The manner in which the young Baron of Felsheim tume of a modern military beau. On going to the is afterwards led into dissipation, and plunged into parade, he meets his father's friend, Count Fersen, the difficulties of a gambler, cannot fail of having a one of the generals; who examining the young Baron due influence on a young mind; this forms the befrom head to foot, exclaims in a cold and severe air-ginning of the third volume. Charles in consequence "How many hours have you passed at your toilet ?— Go, and have that toupee, and those curls taken off, quit that laced habit, and come and join me on the parade." The young man reluctantly obeys; his finery is taken off, and Charles then waits at a distance from the line, until a corporal of the guards, with the back of his hand nailed to his hat, his heels joined, chest open, and head erect, approached and asked Charles if he was not the person the General expected.The General shook him heartily by the hand, and led him towards a groupe of officers, in the midst of whom was a man plainly dressed : see there," said the Count, "is the King you are going to serve: he has neither toupee, side curls, nor a laced coat!" "The person you is sent by the King as a prisoner to the fortress of Spandow, a state prison about two miles from Berlin. Here he is followed by the faithful hussar, Brandt, whose character, if it sometimes runs into caricatura, is nevertheless bold, and original. The attachment of Charles to the fair Baltide forms the denouement of the whole, which is wrought up with new, and uncommon interest: the libertinism that leads to this, might we think have been soffened or avoided, since, not to mention any other consequence, it tends to lower the character of the hero: throughout the work there is too much of this French sprinkling; still however, as a Military Romance these volumes possess considerable merit, and must eventually be productive of good, notwithstanding such defects. Pigault Lebrun, from the year 1789 to 1792, had been advantageously known as a comic writer, and had written many plays for the Theatre de la République, the Theatre de la Cité, the Theatre Feydeau, and the Odeon. Ever since the year 1792, he has been equally known as a writer of romances, the best of which, before his latest publications in this line, was accounted his Enfant du Carneval, of which the first edition appeared in 1792, and the second in 1790, in Svo. S. Q. 157 Rivalite de la France et de l'Angleterre.-Dissertation sur le Cholera Morbus, &c. 158 FOREIGN. Rivalité de la France et de l'Angleterre, or a History of the Rivalship between France and England, from the Conquest by William of Normandy, in 1066, till the Violation of the Treaty of Amiens by England. By C. Vienot Vaublanc, Member of the Legislative Body. 1 vol. Sto. Hippocrates, Galen, Celsus, Cælius Aurellianus, Bontius, with a multitude of more modern observers have been cited, and prove that the author has dived into the very best sources. It is further necessary that facts should be collected and arranged, opinions reconciled, points of controversy discussed, and above all that no conclusiou should be drawn except from experience and well attested results. This part of the In observing with This work has been written expressly for the parti-work, without question the most difficult, is not therefore the less satisfactory. cular purpose of shewing, that in the whole course of this rivalship traced backward by the author what diligence the author has treated the general through seven ages, the government of England has history of the Cholera Morbus; with what sagacity always employed perfidy, cunning, and insolence, he has explained its predisposing and accidental causes; to which the French have opposed only bravery, and with what perspicuity he has displayed its symployalty, and moderation. On the part of France, all is toms and prognostics, one cannot help being surgreatness, generosity of soul, and fidelity; on that ofprised at the degree of interest he has given to matter England, meanness, baseness and Punic faith. One of the gravest of the French Journals has extolled this book to the skies, applying to it the quotation : Indocti discant, et ament meminisse periti. The ignorant are instructed, and the learned have their meinories refreshed. We however cannot find any other merit in the book than that of invention, of which a tolerable specimen is given, when the author gravely asserts that the French, with an equal force, have been uniTattle, I shall have an formly victorious at sea; esteem for thee, thou hast more impudence than one could in reason expect." In a history written with a particular design, one may look for a bold perversion of truth, but this Member of the Legislative Body with assertions so absurd as to deserve nothing but ridicule, has displayed an ignorance of his mother tongue so gross, that even the warmest of his eulogists are ashamed of it, and forced to confess that the style and execution of the work is miserable, though according to them, the foundation is estimable and patriotic. D. Dissertation sur le Cholera Morbus. Par I. S. Sengensse, Docteur en Medecine, Chirurgien-Major du Corps des Pompiers de Paris. Un vol. 8vo. This disease which consists of the evacuation both upwards and downwards of bilious or bile-coloured matter, accompanied with spasm and excruciating pains in the bowels, is neither common nor particularly violent in our climate, and still less so in countries further to the north, but it is very frequent and intense in southern climates, such as Italy, Greece, the islands of the Mediterranean, South America, &c. In order therefore to give a complete account of this disease, that may be of essential benefit to the science of Medicine, its effects must be witnessed in the countries where it is found to prevail in its utmost severity. M. Sengensse has had this advantage; his travels in Turkey have given him an opportunity of being an eye-witness to the effects of Cholera in all theit intensity. It is moreover necessary to consult the works of those authors who have practised medicine in the hot countries, and who have turned their atThe ancients tention to this disease in particular. and moderns have furnished M. Sengensse with materials in this respect of which he has not neglected to avail himself for the completion of his work. that appeared so little capable of it. The work The same powers of discrimination have dictated the mode of treatment, upon which the moderns have differed no less than the ancients. The author has reduced its principles to three general rules, according to the different aspects of the malady. The first consists in facilitating the evacuatious, the second in allaying the spasm, and the third in supporting the vital powers. concludes with a discussion of the point, what place the Cholera Morbus ought to occupy in the system of Nosology, and the author seems to lean to the opinion that it ought to be ranged in the series of fluxes. This dissertation is written with method. The style The anthor is simple, but pure and precise, as ought always to be the case in a scientific work. mentions several curious facts, and among the rest that Diogenes the Cynic died of the cholera morbus, occasioned by eating part of a bullock's foot, illdressed; and Sydenham of the same disease, caused by a retropulsion of the gout. Exposition de la Doctrine Physionomique du Docteur This exposition of Doctor Gall's new theory of the brain considered as the seat of the intellectual and moral faculties is published in one volume octavo, with the motto "Felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas. Virg. Philosophers have been puzzled in all ages to explain the cause of the physical and moral differences that exist between different nations and even between individuals of the same nation. Some have attributed these differences to education, among whom appears to have been the late Dr. Johnson, and according to them every man is originally born with the same capability of improvement. Others have modified this opinion and to the difference of education have added that of climate, and some have even gone so far as to make the physical and moral faculties of man depend entirely on the climate, so that the human faculties might be measured upon the globe by degrees of latitude. But Milton was born in England and Linnæus in Sweden, Homer in Greece and Virgil in Italy. The modern physiologists with greater plausibility have ascribed these varieties to a real difference in the organs of each individual |