ler inspired me when I wrote it. Time, some little gleanings of experience, and the lectures of my worthy father, have removed a load of prejudice, through the dark medium of which I gazed on and judged of every thing. Well do I remember the orthodox horror with which, on my first arrival here, I regarded the works of Italian architects. Their originality now pleases me; though, strange to say, it was at first. the cause of my dislike to them. I have been chiefly engaged in drawing, when the weather permitted, since my arrival in Italy, and have formed a collection of views of the antiquities of Rome, likewise a few of Naples and Genoa. We know that, in former times, the sister arts were often pursued successfully by one man: why not now? For myself, I hope and wish to join painting to architecture." THE GREEK LANGUAGE ANCIENT AND MODern. [WE have pleasure in laying before our readers a letter from a Greek gentleman, who has very recently come to Edinburgh with the view of giving instructions in that language, and who appears to us to take quite ignorant of it, and obliged to begin with the alphabet, may learn to read the ancient authors, and to write and speak the language, with the same purity and elegance that well-educated Greeks now do, in far less time, with far less trouble, and with far less danger of contracting any of that disgust for the study, which is so often the consequence of the dry and difficult mode in which it is usually taught. During a residence of two years in the United States, where I gave lessons, first at the Franklin Institution in Philadelphia, then at the Columbian College in New York, and, lastly, at Cambridge, near Boston, my own experience proved the truth of what I have stated. I have received letters in Greek, pretty well expressed, from scholars of three and six months standing; and the same scholars were equally at home in speaking the language. In short, I am quite persuaded, that whoever wishes it, may become master both of ancient and modern Greek in a very short time, and that the latter can only be properly learnt through the former, which is its foundation. My Grammar of the modern Greek, and the Orations for the Crown, together with the Prolegomena in modern Greek, seem to me firmly to a somewhat novel, but, we think, just view of the proper mode to be pursued in the acquisition of this beautiful and interesting tongue.-establish the truth of what I have now advanced, namely, ED. LIT. JOUR,] TO THE EDITOR OF THE EDINBURGH LITERARY JOURNAL. that the modern is so incorporated with the ancient, that it ought to be studied as one and the same language. I shall now, sir, conclude for the present, but will have much pleasure in replying to any questions you may wish to put to me upon this subject at any future opportunity. Meantime, I have the honour to remain, &c. " Edinburgh, 22d Sept. 1829. ALEXANDER NEGRIS. THE DRAMA. A Ir is a pleasant thing to see so many of the "old familiar faces" again. It is a pleasant thing to take our station once more in our favourite little Theatre, and, re SIR, IN the course of the conversation I had with you yesterday, you asked me, if I mistake not, whether the language of Modern Greece differs materially from that of the ancient, and whether the difference is similar to that existing between the Italian and the Latin. In reply, I beg to state, that it appears to me very clear that modern Greek neither can nor ought to be considered but as one of those various dialects which, taken together, make the Greek language; and is, in other words, just one branch of a great tree. Modern Greek, therefore, should not be studied separately, unless by those who have previously made themselves acquainted with the other dialects, and who being able to read and understand each of the four ancient dialects in which the chefs-membering the happy hours we have already spent there, d'œuvre of Greek literature are composed-feel also desirous of acquiring the fifth-that is, the modern-in order to complete their knowledge of the Greek tongue. They, on the other hand, who are only beginning to study Greek, ought unquestionably to consider it as consisting of five dialects, and should be taught to read Homer, Thucydides, Demosthenes, and others, not as writers in a language now extinct, but rather in a language which still exists, and is spoken by a whole nation; for the difference between the language in which these authors write, and that which is now spoken, is not so much in the words themselves as in their construction. It is needless to advert to the objection which has been so often advanced and refuted, that the pronunciation of the modern Greek is different from the ancient, as if it were possible that, after preserving almost every word in the old language, the Greeks should have quite lost sight of its pronunciation, and left that to be discovered by philologians shut up in their closet. But leaving this question to be decided in any way that scholars think fit, permit me to remark, that it is surely much more natural to learn a language with that pronunciation which, besides being harmonious and beautiful, is intelligible to a whole nation, than with that pronunciation which is of no use but in the reading of dead authors. In both cases, the labour is equal; but in one, the advantage is double. By learning the modern dialect, which, as I have already said, is nothing but an appendix to the ancient language, we are not only able to enjoy all the modern Greek works, many of which display an elegance and a beauty truly classical,—such as the poetical productions of Chrystopoulos, of Rizos, of Calbos, of Coray, of Coumas, of (Economos, and many others, but we are also able to avail ourselves of it in conversation and correspondence. I am still further of opinion, that, by studying Greek as a living language, he who is even anticipate many happy hours yet to come. On Tuesday evening last, we were as full of the milk of human kindness as a lamb, and our heart bounded within us like the heart of a child a manly bright-eyed boy, whom grandpapa carries off in a coach to see a play for the first or second time in his life. We positively shook hands with Donald the box-keeper, and glad were we to find that the Manager had brought down no star from London to fill his place. Much pleased were we to observe Mr Pindar fiddling away once more in the most good-natured style imaginable, just as if nothing had happened, and to see Mr Platt puffing into his delicate flute with the puff of a master. Then up went the curtain, and, being in per haps the most delightful mood we ever were in, Stanley that funniest of all creatures, made us laugh till the tear came over our cheeks. We had scarcely recovered when our eyes fell on our old friend Pritchard, whom we are right glad to see back again ;-whether he be a first-rat actor or not, he is, at all events, a man of a frank and gentlemanly bearing, and, in his own parts, is a credit t our company. Then there was Miss Tunstall, with be clear pipe and good-natured physiognomy-we real can't help liking her, so we "own the soft impeachment at once. Then there was Mrs Stanley, a fine woman an a clever, and moreover, a flame of ours about fifteen yea ago. Then there was Montague Stanley, a nice lad, gr ting more easy and graceful, and fit for good things wit a little time and experience. And, on Wednesday eve ing, was there not Mackay, fresh from Liverpool, b with as true a Scotch heart as ever? and Denham t judicious, a little unwieldy in tights and silk stocking but keeping within himself the soul of a King Jan and a Dandie Dinmont? No! we could not be crabbe with these old friends on the first or second night of season, though the critic's laurel crown were to be t price of our leniency. We were glad even to see Mr Taylor, Mr John Stanley, Mr Power, Mrs Mathews, and the Misses Murray. As for Mrs Nicol and Mrs Eyre, it is long since they have held dominion over the softest Yet there was a dash of sorrow in portion of our heart. our cup of joy. Where was Jones the gentlemanly ?——— where was his shrill "ha! ha!" and where his blue or claret-coloured coat, cut so delicately, and fitting so nicely, that it seemed more like the stuff of which a tailor's happiest dreams are made, than a thing of stern reality? Alas! Jones is teaching elocution to the Cockneys of London. Where was Mason the facetious?where was his caput mortuum face, so full of woe and merriment, that it might make a churchyard laugh ?—where was our starved apothecary and our Sir Andrew Ague Cheek? Alas! Mason is "o'er the border and awa," in consequence of some slight and mutually-to-be-regretted misunderstanding between him and the Manager. Where was Thorne the obliging?—where was his "March to the battle-field," his prepossessing nose, and his agreeable careless manner? Alas! Thorne is singing blithely in the English Opera And House, "maybe to return to Lochaber no more.' where more than all the rest-where was Miss Noel, the gentle and the good?where was her sweetly-warbled melody, dear to the Scottish heart, her playful smile, and fine feeling of the truth of nature? Alas! she is in New York, where her husband is lecturing on anatomy, the Atlantic's roar," across But a reinforcement of new recruits has been marched up to supply the place of those who are gone; and what are we to say of them? Of Mrs William West we say that she is a pretty woman, somewhat past her best, and on the whole, a pleasing and graceful actress, though in grave and sentimental characters rather too lachrymose and white-pocket-handkerchiefy, and in gayer characters rather too languid and studied. ༦*** By the Author of " Anster Fair.” I dreamyt I met wi' the fearfu' Deil; To shelter themselves for a space; I grippit him bauld by the beard; {་ But I wanken'd mysell wi' the slap and its pain; LINES TO THE BELL-ROCK LIGHT-HOUSE, Of Mr Williams we say that he is. "pretty considerable" vulgar, though we daresay he has some humour of a broad and tolerably commonplace kind, and we believe that Scotch characters are his forte. Of Mr M. Rae, from Glasgow, we say that we wish he had left behind him in that city some of his Irish brogue, and brought with him a pair of legs capable of moving a little less stiffly through the parts of walking gentlemen. Of Miss Stoker we say that she for is a clever little girl, and that we are glad to see her in the way of rising in her profession, but she must not be quite so rompish on the Edinburgh stage as she might be in country towns; her manner is a little trop prononcée; she must soften it down. Of the " young lady" who made “ her first appearance on any stage (?) Miss Weston's younger sister, we believe we say that she is likely to prove an acquisition in the chambermaid line. Of Mr Barton, from Dublin, who is to take the premier role in the company, we say that we do not yet know exactly what to say. We have seen him only in two characters the Stranger and Lord Townley, we liked him in the first, and were not very well pleased with him in the second; but neither of these characters is well suited to bring out a man's powers. Our judgment rests suspended,—only, we suspect we are going, on the whole, to be pleased with Barton. A 497 1 SEEN FROM A DISTANCE,mig nos of Tab sv 1t,,,』© By Robert Chambers."" STRANGE fancies rise at sight of thee,... tool in t Tower of the lonesome, silent sea! ངས yཙཱ་«f』 zahit s Art thou a thing of earth or sky, Upshot from beneath, or let down from on highcloud- Ted mas A thing of the wave, or a thing of the The work of man, or the work of God? aida tudi bus Old art thou?-has thy blue minaret Seen the young suns of creation set? yester years of time On Thursday evening, the first of living actors, KEAN,And rear'st, like a mournful repentant Cain, entered upon an engagement of only six nights. We shall Thy conscious and flame-letter'd brow on the main, have something to say of him next Saturday. Mean-Telling all who might come to companion or cheers The long level sunbeams that gild thee at eve, Or let its bleak pavement be traversed and torn Who seem, as they rush to old Albany's strand, In calm or in breeze-amidst tempest and flame- .. と " Do not wish to clothe in vulgar words " GERTRUDE The deeper thoughts that in my bosom lie, To outward sense invisible, like birds' Afloat far off in the cerulean sky. Let them abide in me, as water-springs Within the caverns of the rock-ribb'd hill: Calm and unchanged, when all without is bleak ;- LITERARY CRITICISM. The History of the Hebrew Commonwealth, from the Earliest Times to the Destruction of Jerusalem, A. D. 72. Translated from the German of John Jahn, D. D., formerly Professor of the Oriental Languages, of Biblical Antiquities, and of Theology, in the University of Vienna: with a Continuation to the time of Adrian. Two volumes. London. Hurst, Chance, and Co. 1829. Family Library. No. VI. History of the Jews. Vol II. London. John Murray. 1829. PRICE 6d. There two, not preternaturally extensive volumes, the history not only of the Jews, but of all the revolutions of empire in the East, from the earliest times down to the conquest of Jerusalem. detail, to convey to any one versant in the studies of which they treat a tolerably correct notion of their author's leading doctrines, yet are they ill adapted for communicating to tyros full and satisfactory information. They are rather a mere outline, to be filled up by oral communications; or a thread to guide the hearers through the labyrinthine mazes of the lecturer's dissertations. are many advantages attending this mode of instruction, which combines the facility and charm of oral communication with the systematic and solid character of booklearning. We think it but fair to apprise the English public of these facts, lest they should be led to judge of a work as an independent whole, which was only meant to THE first of these works is a reprint of a translation be used along with the running comment of a lecturer's originally published in America, which was executed annotations. Such an act of justice is particularly neby Calvin E. Stowe, a pupil of the Andover Theologi-cessary in the case of Dr Jahn, whose work condenses into cal Seminary, under the superintendence of Professor Stewart of that Institution, and Professor Gibbs of Newhaven. The English publisher informs us, that “the whole has been thoroughly revised;" and intimates that this was necessary, in order to render it fit for the more classical English reader. As we have never seen the American edition, we are unable to speak of its execution; but there is a statement in Mr C. E. Stowe's preface, which serves, in some measure, to illustrate the principles upon which he proceeded :- "It is the duty of a translator," he says, " to give a faithful representation of his author's meaning, without violating the purity of his own language. In executing the following work, I have uniformly endeavoured to make this principle my guide; but I have found it more difficult to adhere to, than I supposed it would be, before I commenced the task. There is such a total diversity in the whole mode of constructing sentences in the German and English languages, that it is no easy achievement for a translator to do justice to himself, and at the same time remain faithful to his original. I hope, however, I can venture to say, that I have not failed, in any important instance, to give a true expression of my author's meaning; but I must leave the reader to judge how far I have succeeded in preserving the purity of the English language." Every individual, and every nation, have certain idiomatic expressions, which give a colour as it were to their modes of thought. It is these characteristics which a translator Ends most difficult to retain, and yet in them not unfrequently much of an author's power of charming consists. We are inclined to suspect that Mr Stowe has ventured occasionally to the weather-side of the English language, in order to retain the impress of individuality which the original bears; and that the superintendent of the reprint, a lover of well-turned sentences and classical English, has been shocked at the solecisms of the young divine. We are rather afraid that this discussion may appear prosy, but we like to see fair play. Dr Jahn's work seems (for we have not read the original), from its extreme condensation, to have been meant as a text-book for his prelections, while professor at the University of Vienna. These text-books form at present a large proportional part of the solid literature of Germany. Although they treat their subject in sufficient We took occasion lately while reviewing the first volume of Milman's history of the Jews to turn our readers' attention to the leading features in their history previous to the Babylonish captivity; and we are not sorry to have so early an opportunity of adding a few observations on their subsequent fortunes down to the period of their final dispersion. There are but scanty materials for constructing the history of the nation during this period. Some brief notices in Ezra, Nehemiah, and the later prophets; the books of the Apocrypha, as far as any reliance can be placed upon them; Josephus, who seems to have derived his information, so far as it does not rest exclusively upon the information contained in these books, from floating rumours and traditions; and lastly, a few incidental allusions in the Ethnic writers, form the whole of our store. The Rabbinical traditions were collected at too late a period to allow of our reposing any confidence in them. Professor Jahn is evidently acquainted with all these sources of information, and he has turned them to account with a critical and discerning spirit. His book, which, as we have hinted above, almost deserves to be called a History of the Political Revolutions of the Eastern World, gives a distinct, although extremely condensed, view of the internal structure of the Jewish commonwealth, and its relations to surrounding states. Being, however, a mere outline, it leaves on many occasions the reader's mind unsatisfied. We had hoped that Mr Milman's second volume, as he avowedly confines himself to the history of the Jews, would have filled up the blanks. regret to say that we have been disappointed. In the earlier part of the volume, the narrative is painfully confused. This we incline to attribute to the author's attempt to give a greater individuality to this part than his limits admit of. He ought to have contented himself with taking a general and comprehensive view of the stream of events, sinking those minor details which are neither influential nor characteristic. In the latter part of his volume he amends this; but we fear he gives a greater scope to his rhetorical powers, than the stern simplicity of his We tory warrants. There is, no doubt, an eloquence of history, but it is essentially different from that of poetry; and Mr Milman's partakes more of the latter. This history is, indeed, just such a one as we should have expected from a poet; in whose mind vivid and impressive images will always maintain the ascendency over the formless fragments of truth, elicited by painful investiga tion. of Jerusalem. We leave this for the present to Mr Milman, who will doubtless do its horrors ample justice in his third volume, which we shall be glad to receive as soon as published. The Library of Entertaining Knowledge. Vol. II. Part We have read this treatise upon Fruits with much The period to which we call our reader's attention, extending to well nigh 700 years, is one of great interest to the student of Scripture history, and also to him who loves to trace, with a philosophic eye, the gradual change superindu-pleasure, and, we hope, some edification. It is written in ced by time on national character. To him whose knowledge of the Jews is derived exclusively from the Old and New Testaments, there is a wide and impassable gulf between the nation over which the house of David ruled, and that in which our Saviour was born. The Canonical Books maintain a dead silence respecting the long intermediate period, and present us only with an account of two isolated assemblages of men standing far apart in the wide ocean of time. a good, popular style, preserving a proper medium between too much science and too much superficiality. The two great divisions of the subject are, fruits of the temperate climates, and tropical fruits. The former has four subdivisions, fleshy fruits, pulpy fruits, stone fruits, and mute. Altogether, the present volume of this publication, the first Part of which relates to Trees, and the second to Fruits, is exceedingly excellent, and of great practical The Edinburgh Journal of Natural and Geographical value. Their governors are different, and hold their power on different terms; the prophets have ceased; new sects and divisions have arisen among themselves, and new relations to the external world; and their religion, almost the only feature of their social system that marks their identity, is altered, not in its own nature, but in their reception of it. Instead of resting, as formerly, We do not wish to damp, at the very outset, the exeron their hearts, and spreading its deep root within them, tions of men ardent in the pursuit of science; but, conit has become a problem of intellect, a coldly received dog-sidering that two Scientific Journals, conducted by such ma respecting whose precise meaning they dispute and men as Dr Brewster and Professor Jameson, are at precavil. The Synagogue is, in their eyes, almost of equal im- sent starving in this country, we cannot help fearing that portance with the service of the Temple. It is no doubt a degree of youthful enthusiasm, more to be pleased with the same Jewish nation which we saw in earlier time, than to be imitated, has led to the publication of the work fierce, free, and enthusiastic, situated in a land of miracles, before us. But now that it is begun, let its conductors and well fitted, by its fervid and imaginative tempera- go on with spirit; and if they can evince superior talent ment, for such an abode; but it is with this nation, as and activity, they will force their way in spite of every with one whom we have known in youth, and having obstacle. We have read the whole of their first Number, lost sight of him during the interval, meet again in old age, decrepid, cold, retaining the forms without the vigour of his earlier intellect,-changed-sadly changed, from the blooming and warm-hearted boy, whom we loved with more than the love of woman. Nor should we overlook the different point of view from which we see them at these two different periods of their history. In the earlier, our attention is riveted on the outward appearance of the nation, on its public forms and institutions. We behold it as one great whole, one dense and solid structure. Of their household lives and loves we catch but occasional and hasty glimpses; and rarely can we distinguish amid the hubbub the accents of an individual voice. In the New Testament, on the contrary, it is to their domestic life that we are introduced. What political institutions could do for man, had been done; it was now necessary that the individual, as well as the community, should be inspired and elevated. The mission of the Saviour was not to the Jews, but to all mankind. He addressed himself not to those peculiarities which political establishments superinduce, but to those universal feelings which nothing can destroy. He did not promulgate laws he did not suggest institutions -he taught moral and religious truths. He taught that, while laws and tribunals were necessary for keeping in check such as knew or acknowledged no other guides, the Christian must look for counsel and support to higher sources to his own conscience and to an Omnipotent Creator. and with several of the papers it contains we are well satisfied. The "Introductory coup d'œil at the Progress of Science and the Arts," is too vague and general, and, in point of fact, tells us nothing, but that we are in a different state now from what we were in the time of Adam and Eve. The "Description of the Landes of Acquitania," by Mr Ainsworth, one of the editors, is a more valuable contribution; and so are the articles on the "Electricity of the Simple and Compound Galvanic Cir cles," by Mr Kemp, and on the "Island of Jersey," by Mr Alexander Sutherland. Among the "Scientific Reviews," all of which are respectably written, the best is that on Sir Rufane Donkin's "Dissertation on the Niger," in which, although we think Sir Rufane is treated with too little ceremony, a very considerable knowledge of the subject is shown. The "Geographical Collections," which form a new and interesting division of the work, are judicious and important. The "Natural-Historical Collections" are also very much what they should be; and In future Numbers, we advise the omission of such small the "Miscellaneous Intelligence" is carefully compiled. trifling articles as that entitled "Oral Information on the Origin of the Gorkhas," which is like presenting a single mouthful of food to a starving man. With Nu Rudiments of Geography, on a New Plan. We have dwelt at some length on the difference, real and apparent, which exists betwixt the primitive Israel-A ites and their descendants at the time of our Saviour, because we wish to place in a broad light the interest attaching to their intervening history-a study which is but too much neglected among us. On this wide subject, however, we have left ourselves no room to enter. the same reason, we decline adverting at present to the oft re-told, yet still thrilling tale, of the final destruction Comprising an Astronomi- Companion to the Globes: 1829. THERE is a certain class of books, which, we believe, editors seldom or never think of reading. School-books |