But it is not to be denied that very considerable Similar influences might befall in political affairs. facilities would, for a time at least, attend the ca- At home, we have got into a very ill-conditicned reer of a war minister. The mere strength and state-a morbid appetite for “reforms," with power derived from singleness of purpose would never a one ripe in public opinion, but a constant place him on inexpugnable vantage-ground. Al- pandering to the appetite by dealers in green crudithough habits of trade and the coddling of extreme ties. Every part of the nation has an unhealihy civilization have seemed to deaden the innate spirit longing, and no power or vigor to satisfy itself. of physical contest in the English nation, the first we should be all the better for breaking this off “ silver snarling" of the war-trumpet would rouse for a season ; and the urgent demands of a warthe inborn demon, and English eyes would flash time would bring us roughly to account. States as they have not done for many a year. All peo- men would not boggle and falter, asking for ples, especially the English, affect positive results ; pressure from without” to help them in buckling and the English have been rather sickened of late themselves to their duty : they would soon know by very negative or indeterminate results to their what reforms stand for finished ideas in the publie statesmanship; a war minister would have posi- mind, and those would become facts accomplished tive, distinct, palpable results enough, and to spare without further delaying, to be got out of the way -critical results, highly exciting to the public of action. Mere à priori “reforms,” got up to interests ; hopeful results ; “glorious" results. satisfy a crotchet or make an agitation, would be

Besides those adventitious attractions, it is not brushed aside with other child's-play. Those to be maintained that war must necessarily be in larger reform measures which are still baking in all other respects disastrous. That it would be the public mind, unmatured, would be put hy for attended with trouble and loss is most certain ; a time, to be taken up with more freshness and nearly as certain that the evil would be anything resolve in their turn; and probably the ultimate but unmixed. Many good movements are going success of such measures would not be really linon sluggishly and ineptly, which the violent revul- dered by present postponement. Some measures sion of a war would stir into life. Upon nations, of justice and common sense might be directly even as upon individuals, ihe force of inertness, hastened. The luxury of sporting with colonies routine, and false shame, is paralyzing ; it is diffi- would be abandoned, to do them substantial justice. cult for the most powerful to take heart of grace, | The mischievous squadron on the coast of Africa break off its long error, and turn over a new leaf. —that great embodied and armed nonsense, which We shall but touch

upon
instances.

yearly diverts a good round sum, engages our Commerce would be harshly jarred and unsettled, ships, and complicates our relations with friends but not altogether unhappily, if after the disturbance

-would be given up. it settled again in better channels. We see it to Abroad, changes not less happy might be anticibe in many cases in bad channels, but we cannot pated : embarrassments arising from deference for effect the change, which might perhaps be done at many an old treaty would be swept away ; Austria a jerk. At home, our railway habits of trade and Russia, and all their allies, would forfeit 1815: might not be the worse for some overwhelming England and France would be set free to negotiate deluge of other interests break off for a time all directly with Italy, Hungary, the German nations but the quiet essential part. Abroad, we have got -ay, and with Poland—and so to bring the peoples into bad ways—as with Brazil : the attempt to once for all into the councils of Europe. Nay, force our morals upon Brazilian conscience be there is no saying what a Turkish war might do trayed us into false diplomatic relations; our di- for the Russian nobles—those unhappy magnates plomacy borrowed its coercive power from com- whom one occasionally meets wandering about the merce, and an endless series of inconsistencies has continent, “ on leave,” stung with a mortified Janded us in a quarrel with one of our best cus- sense of degradation to see their coinpeers of the tomers, of such a kind that we can scarcely take a west, free and independent, travelling where they step towards reconciliation without further incon- list without reporting all their movements to a sistencies. A war might cut that Gordian knot bureau at home. for us, oblige us to exchange refinements and en- No—a war in 1850 would not tend altogether tangled questions for essentials, and by forcing us in favor of absolutism. Perhaps, for that very into more direct courses, make us acknowledge the reason, Russia may not go so far as to bring sweet uses of adversity. France is unfair to us ; the generosity of France and England to the for she does not adequately reciprocate our com- test. mercial concessions—perhaps for want of a more thorough understanding, not so much of our eco

From the Economist. nomical arguments, as of our sincerity. France At present, our interference is confined to prosuspects us of a cold, calculating selfishness, which tests and remonstrances ; but if they are not suo cares little what wrong is done so that we escape cessful, and Russia persists in attacking Turkey, the responsibilities and the consequences. Were they will be followed by acts, and the whole the two countries compelled to fight side by side power of England will be put forth to aid for justice to Europe, a better understanding could Turkey and beat back the Northern Bear. A scarcely fail to grow up, and France would learn, war between Russia and Turkey on such out of mere good fellowship, to show a better faith pretext would be followed by a war between in consulting mutual interests.

Russia and England, and probably between Russia and France. Austria must be involved in cause as this justifies the employment of our armed it on the side of Russia, by whose arrogance force in foreign contests. This, too, has suddenly Europe is threatened with a far worse war than come on us. The armies of Russia are no doubt that which Russia sent its forces into Hungary to ready to proceed from Hungary to Turkey, and quell.

can only be stopped by a resolute action on our There can be no doubt whatever that the conduct part. Such a case brings the arbitration theory of Russia, in arrogantly making such a demand, of the universal peace party to the test. It has and in threatening to support it by force of arms, espoused the cause of Hungary; it would like to violates the laws of nations. She aspires, then, see the Hungarian and Polish refugees protected to make a new code of national laws, and be the from the wrath of the emperor ; but England, in sole legislator for Europe. This cannot be al such a case, relying on a bitration, and disarmed, lowed. No one of the great powers is so weak would be constrained to see the rights of hospitality in such a contest as Russia. She can have no and the laws of nations violated. She would then efficient allies. Austria is too much involved in be a consenting party to inflicting a great outrage Italy and Hungary to be able to render her any on humanity, and giving the last blow to the inde material assistance. Italy would probably be in- pendence of Hungary and Poland. vaded by the French, and under their auspices would again rise, most probably with much greater

THE DYING BOY. success ihan in 1848, to chase away the Austrians. (We do not know to whom to credit the following lines.] Hungary, not yet pacified, and no longer cordially united with Austria, hating Russia as the instru

Oh, I long to lie, dear mother,

On the cool and fragrant grass, ment of her subjugation, would probably again be

With nought but the sky above my head urged into insurrection. All the German subjects

And the shadowing clouds that pass. of Austria muist he opposed to measures involving the possibility of such occurrences, and must be And I want the bright, bright sunshine disinclined to see Russian power predominant. A

All round about my bed; war which would set loose in Austria all the ele

I will close my eyes, and God will think ments of disorder, would be fatal to its greatness.

Your little boy is dead! Austria, in such a contest, can afford Russia no Then Christ will send an Angel efficient aid.

To take me up to him; The finances of Russia are not in a condition

He will bear me slow and steadily, to enable her to enter into a war with England

Far through the ether dim. and France. She has, too, a little war on her He will gently, gently lay me hands with the Circassians, which might become Close to the Saviour's side, a great internal war embracing the bulk of her And when I'm sure that we're in heaven, Mahometan population, were she to engage in a

I'll open wide. eontest with Turkey, England, and France. We

And I 'll look among the Angels trust, therefore, that a true sense of his own

That stand about the Throne, position, and the language used by our govern- Till I find my sister Mary, ment, will be sufficient to make the Emperor of For I know that she is one. Russia sensible that he has taken a wrong step.

And when I find her, mother, He will, probably, listen to reason and the re

We will go away alone, monstrances of England and France.

And I will tell her how we've mourned there will be no war. The people of Europe All the while she has been gone. want peace. For nothing did they hate political change so much as that it disturbed peace, and

Oh! I shall be delighted they will not pardon in the Emperor of Russia

To hear her speak again, that which they have loudly and fiercely con

Though I know she 'll ne'er return to 18

To ask her would be vain ! demied in all the demagogues and revolutionists

So I'll put my arms around her, Should the emperor fancy that his honor is con

And look into her eyes, cerned, and that he cannot retreat-should his And remember all I said to her,

And all her sweet replies. success over the Hungarians inspire him with a notion that he can succeed in whatever he under

And then I'll ask the Angel takes—there is but one course for England. She To take me back to you— cannot suffer the autocrat to dictate the laws of He'll bear me slow and steadily, Europe. She is pledged to uphold the Turkish Down through the ether blue. empire, and she cannot allow the czar to dismem

And you 'll only think, dear mother, ber it at his pleasure. She has her Indian empire

I have been out at play, to look to, and cannot allow Turkey to be incor

And have gone to sleep beneath a tree, porated with Russia. It is seldom that so good a This sultry summer day.

My eyes

We hope

of the age.

1. Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton,

Church of England Quarterly Review, 289 2. The Moilern Va sal, concluded,

John Wilmer,

305 3, Optical Magic of our Age,

Chambers: Journal,

319 4. The Fall of the Leaf,

Spectator,

323 5. Albert Gallatin,

Courier & Enquirer,

324 6. Paris Correspondence of the

Britannia,

325 7. The Roman Question,

Examiner,

326 8. French Foreign Policy,

London Times,

327

328 9. Destiny of Cuba, 10. Canada,

Independent,

329 11. Russia and Turkey,

Examiner, Spectator, &c.,

331 Short ARTICLES.- Austrian Perfidy, 303.—Cause of Ineffectual Preaching, 322. Poetry.—The Shut-up One, (with an Illustration); St. Peter's Tears; Reasons for Risibility

318.—The Dying Boy, 335.

PROSPECTUS.—This work is conducted in the spirit of now becomes every intelligent American to be informed Littell's Museum of Foreign Literature, (which was favor of the condition and changes of foreign countries. And ably received by the public for twenty years,) but as it is this not only because of their nearer connection with oub twice as large, and appears so often, we not only give selves, but because the nations seem to be hastening spirit and freshness to it by many things which were through a rapid process of change, to some new state of excluded by a month's delay, but while thus extending our things, which the merely political prophet cannot compute scope and gathering a greater and more attractive variety, or foresee. are able so to increase the solid and substantial part of Geographical Discoveries, the progress of Colonization, our literary, historical, and political harvest, as fully to (which is extending over the whole world,) and Voyages satisfy the wants of the American reader.

and Travels, will be favorite malier for our selections ; The elaborate and stately Essays of the Edinburgh, and, in general, we shall systematically and very fully Quarterly, and other Reviews; and Blackroood's noble acquaint our readers with the great department of Foreign criticisms on Poetry, his keen political Coinmentaries, affairs, without entirely neglecting our own. highly wrought Tales, and vivid descriptions of rural and While we aspire to make the Living Age desirable to mountain Scenery; and the contributions to Literature, all who wish to keep themselves informed of the rapid History, and Common Life, by the sagacious Spectator, progress of the movement, to Statesmen, Divines, Law. the sparkling Eraminer, the judicious Athenæum, the yers, and Physicians-lo men of business and men gi busy and industrious Literary Gazette, the sensible and leisure-it is still a stronger object to make it attractive comprehensive Britannia, the sober and respectable Chris- and useful to their wives and Children. We believe that tian Obserrer; these are intermixed with the Military we can thus do some good in our day and generation; and and Naval reininiscences of the United Service, and with hope to make the work indispensable in every well-in. the best articles of the Dublin University, Nei Monthly, formed family. We say indispensable, because in this Fraser's, Tait's, Ainsworth's, Hood's, and Sporting Mag- day of cheap literature it is not possible to guard against azines, and of Chambers' admirable Journal. We do not the influx of what is bad in taste and vicious in morals, consider it beneath our dignity to borrow wit and wisdom in any other way than by furnishing a sufficient supply froin Punch ; and, when we ihink it good enough, make of a healthy character. The mental and moral appetite use of the thunder of The Times. We shall increase our must be gratified. variety by importations from the continent of Europe, and We hope that, by "winnowing the wheat from the from the 'new growth of the British colonies.

chaff," by providing abundantly for the imagination, and Tie sieamship has brought Europe, Asia and Africa, by a large collection of Biography, Voyages and Travels, into our neighborhood ; and will grealiy multiply our con. History, and more solid matter, we may produce a work nections, as Merchants, Traveliers, and Politicians, with which shall be popular, while at the same time it wil all narts of the world ; so that much more than ever it I aspire to raise the standard of public taste.

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WASHINGTON, 27 Dec., 1845, Of all the Periodical Journals devoted to literature and science which abound in Europe and in this country, this has appeared to me to be the inost useful. It contains indeed the exposition only of the current literature of the English language, but this by its immense extent and comprehension includes a portraiture of the human mind in the ulinosi expunsion of the present age.

J. Q. ADAMS.

ences.

LITTELL'S LIVING AGE.-No. 288.-24 NOVEMBER, 1849.

PART I.

From the New Monthly Magazine.

table matter as inflammable as tinder. The long

thin leaves interlock above, and form, here and WILD SPORTS OF THE FALKLANDS.

there, little cloisters from five to twenty yards SKETCHED DURING A SURVEY OF THOSE ISLANDS. long in some places. The paths thus formed are BY CAPTAIN MACKINNON, R. N.

trodden perfectly smooth by the numerous penguins, whose holes branch off in every direction.

As we were looking about us, one of our party PLEASANT HARBOR.—The barometer fell so fast, suddenly observed that he smelt smoke. Though that the surveying party did not think it prudent such a remark on an uninhabited island was of a to leave the vessel. Every preparation was made nature to excite surprise, no one seemed to heed for a heavy gale; as we knew, by experience, that it till, in a few minutes, thick reeky volumes bethe weather-glass is a faithful monitor. At noon gan to roll over our heads, when it struck me that we began to feel the breeze ; and by 2, P. M., we some of our careless vagabonds had set fire to had as hard a gale of wind, accompanied by as the weather-side. Off we started for very life, fierce and powerful squalls, with numerous flakes though we had only about 200 yards to go. The of snow, as I ever experienced. Our situation ground was excessively difficult, as some of the was desolate in the extreme; to leeward, a range lumps above described were five feet high, and the of rocky hills covered with snow, the harbor itself flags on the summits many feet above our heads. (a branch of Port Fitzroy) lashed by the furi- The cracking of the flames was plainly heard, as ous gale into one sheet of foam ; and to wind- if close to us, and we were nearly suffocated by ward, a small islet covered with tussock, the long the dense smoke. At length, after a desperate leaves of which, bending and bowing as in despair, struggle, in which several shoes and caps were added to the dreariness of the prospect; while the lost, we gained the beach, rushed into the boat, entrance to the harbor and the head of the bay and pushed off. We were barely in time; for were hidden frorn our view by large flakes of snow the next instant the little bank over which we had driving furiously past us. To deepen the effect scampered was a mass of bright flame. Not a of this dismal picture, we were conscious of being moment was lost in sending a boat round to the 104° of latitude from Old England; and that, in weather-side (the leeward being impracticable, on case of need, we were several hundred miles away account of heat and smoke) to look for the rest of from the nearest assistance. In spite of all this, our men, about whom we were, of course, very we were perfectly comfortable and jolly, and cared anxious. The thoughtless fellows were found not one farthing for the gale, as we had not only sitting quietly on the beach smoking their pipes, full reliance on our own resources, but abundance and looking with vacant pleasure on their work,

creature comforts," to say nothing of the not dreaming that some of their shipmates might, appearance of our spritsail-yard, which was not as the Americans say, have been “ used up” by merely decorated, but positively loaded, with game it. of all kinds.

The next morning, anxious to see the effects of Towards night, as usual, the gale abated. The the fire, I landed early, and having examined the next morning, after divisions, it being Sunday, ashes, ascertained that a very great number of birds divine service was performed, (a ceremony omitted had been destroyed by the conflagration. The island only on one occasion while Captain Sulivan and consists of about three hundred acres, of which, I myself were aboard the vessel, when, during a am convinced, there are not a dozen square yards very heavy gale of wind, we were battened down.) without a nest of some kind of bird containing four After the ship's company had dined, some of the or five eggs, or callow brood. In the portion of crew were allowed to land for a walk ; but as no land wherein the fire raged, the young birds were fire-arms were permitted to be carried on the Sab- roasted alive, besides a few seals, whose remains bath, it was customary to put the men on an islet, we found pretty well singed. The authors of this in order to avoid any danger from the wild animals wholesale destruction said it was quite pitiable to which infested the mainland. On the day in ques- see the larger birds, such as geese, caranchos, tion, about twenty were landed on the little tussock &c., flying round the flames that were consuming isle close to which we lay; and as certain of the their young, and screaming with horror. Now officers, myself among the number, wished to go, and then one of them would fall in, either sufwe all went together, and soon began to amuse focated by the smoke or scorched by the heat. ourselves in the best way we could. These tus- A day or two subsequently, Captain Sulivan sock beds are very singular places ; they have been and myself landed with our guns on an exploring undisturbed for ages, and by the perpetual decay excursion. After about an hour's walk round a lake, and renewal of the flags the whole place where during which we jointly bagged upwards of forty they grow is covered with large lumps of vege-tealwe saw, on turning the corner of a gully, a

22

of

CCLXXXVIII.

LIVING AGE.

VOL. XXIII.

a

huge bull half hidden among the bushes, as if fast | brute as he turned, and, though at the distance of asleep. Dropping on our knees, we crawled back fifty yards, we could clearly hear the “ thud” of some distance, for the purpose of changing our the ball striking him, which it did about six inches small shot for ball. Having thrown down our behind the heart. This was a staggering blow, game and shooting-jackets, we stealthily advanced but did not prevent his running away. La Porte on all-fours, and crept up to a small bank within (our dog) was immediately slipped, caught the fifteen yards of the brute's great head, which lay bull about three hundred yards inland, and few at fully exposed to us ; then, resting our guns, we his flank, which caused him to face about and both fired our left barrels at a concerted signal, attack the dog. Time was thus given me to get reserving the right. The beast did not move; within fifteen yards of the spot, when, lowering and, to our mortification, we found, on a nearer his head, the brute charged me. My right-hand approach, that we had valiantly been attacking a barrel, however, damped his ardor, and he turned dead animal. It was some consolation, however, half round as if to fly. My second bullet went to discover that our two bullet-holes were touch- clean through his body a few inches above the ing each other in the centre of his brain. Know- heart, and, for a moment, brought him on his ing full well that we might reckon on a speedy knees. While I drew my knife in order to ham detection of our exploit, and consequently, on be- string him, he suddenly rallied, and appeared to ing well laughed at, we determined to ward off collect what strength was left him for one last the expected ridicule by turning the tables on our desperate effort—always the most dangerous. At shipmates ; accordingly, going on board with joy- this moment Mr. Sulivan, jun. came up and preful countenances, we said (which was true enough) sented his gun, but the vile Brummagem snapped that we had shot a bull through the brain, and without going off; and we should have been in that he had not stirred afterwards. On hearing rather an awkward predicament, had not Captain this, a party was formed, and saws, knives, and Sulivan, with his remaining barrel, within five other butchering instruments were taken, for the yards, laid the bull dead at his feet, the bullet purpose of cutting up the spoil, towards which, passing through the centre of the brain, and comafter receiving the necessary directions, they ing out at the back of his head. The moment he started in high glee; while we sat down to din- fell, we were greeted by three loud cheers from ner, chuckling at our ruse, which, if it did not the people at our mast-head, and, in a few minutes, deceive our companions, had the desired effect in had thirty stout fellows with us. After disemdiverting the laughter from ourselves.

bowelling our prey, we attached a strong line to When we had completed the survey of Pleasant his horns, and, with a sailor-song from thirty Harbor, we took the vessel some miles further up. hoarse throats, dragged him down to the water's As we advanced towards the head of the harbor, edge, towed him off, and hoisted him in with a the beauties of the place opened on us. Some- runner and tackle, not liking to trust his great times the passage was so narrow that one might weight to the yard. have thrown one's hat ashore on either side ; and As the survey detained us here several days, we anon it spread out to a broad sheet of water. The had a good opportunity of exploring the immediate whole scene was so desolate and dumb that, in vicinity. Not a day passed without our seeing giving the word of command, as the different wind- herds of cattle grazing around. To attack these ings made it necessary to shift the yards, my own would not be so dangerous an adventure as to voice startled me. The water-fowl, noiselessly encounter the outlying bulls, which, in number, parting on each side of our bow, as the vessel are disproportionate to the cows. This, no doubt, came up to them, did not appear alarmed, but has arisen from the great slaughter for food of the stared at us with grave astonishment. At eight latter, whose flesh is preferable to that of the males o'clock we came to and moored in a large sheet slaughter committed by ships of all nations of water, about ten miles from the harbor's mouth. some few years ago, before the Falklands were

While enjoying my cigar on deck, and deriving under the English flag. I generally remarked that pleasure from the soft, serene air of evening, I the outlyers were covered with gashes, received, perceived two bulls grazing close to the shore just probably, in many a hard battle ; and that they ahead of the vessel. The surveyors, who were labored under the disadvantage of not having their engaged below laying down their work, imme- horns pointed upwards, whereas the bashaws who diately stopped business and came up. Having lived in female society had remarkable advantages only one day's beef on board, we determined to in that weapon of offence. This may be a wise attack the bulls; and, in a few minutes, four of ordination of nature, to prevent the great number us were pulling for the shore with well-loaded of males from injuring the breed, which would cerguns. Our proceedings had got wind on the lower tainly ensue were not some of the bulls turned out deck, and all hands crowded up the rigging to see of the herd and kept at a distance by their move the battle. We landed under the bank, in such a favored brethren. position as not to be seen by our prey, who were quietly grazing all the time. Stealthily, like In- Having seen that everything was in order in our dians, we climbed the bank, and jumped over the little vessel, I thought a good opportunity was before brow full before them. They immediately turned me to carry out one of the orders given by the Ad tail and fled. Captain Sulivan fired at the nearest I miralty to my commanding officer-namely, to form

PART II.