1

at Madame Boularde's Hotel, where he re- George Lewis, of Duke-street, has been his sided when in Paris. In fact, Heber pos- principal operator. Heber, we repeat, was sessed a larger library in Paris, than any not a mere book-worm; in society of every individual of France. His literary stores at class he played what is termed the "first Malines, in Belgium, are immense; and at fiddle," and enchanted everybody by his exBrussels, the intelligent bibliopolist Verbest quisite wit, smartness of conversation, literhad unlimited commissions to purchase for ary anecdote, learning, and universal inforHeber all fine copies of rare books. Heber's mation. No person enjoyed a joke, even a collection of Spanish literature is the most practical one, more than Heber. The very extraordinary out of Spain, and it has even learned and ingenious John Leyden, author been questioned whether it can be equalled of a volume of poeins, called "Scenes in Inby any individual library in that country. fancy," and editor of the "Complaynt of His books in the Portuguese language are Scotland," written in 1548, undertaken at unique, In modern Latin poetry, critical the suggestion of Heber, inscribed it to him and classical history, local history, and voy-in testimony of sincere esteem and friendages and travels, he is said to be nearly ship. Leyden was originally introduced to perfect. Heber confined his collection of Heber by Sir Walter Scott. On Leyden's autographs to the manuscript letters of first arrival in London from Scotland, he enlearned men, poets, critics, statesmen, and gaged chambers in one of the inns of Court, philosophers, of every age and of every where Heber regularly visited to talk over the country. With eminent men of his own works of the poets in olden time. The wellage he carried on an extensive correspon- remembered, eccentric, and most erudite andence during many years. Sir Walter tiquary, Joseph Ritson, was just then writing Scott entertained a sincere friendship for vehemently against the use of animal food, him; he admired his learning, and lauded and Heber and Leyden were determined to his liberality in the loan of his books and practise a joke at the expense of Ritson's the usefulness of his literary communica- humanity. Leyden gave a literary breaktions. Heber received many valuable let- fast, to which Ritson, Heber, and another ters from Sir Walter Scott, which we hope gentleman were invited. Soon after the his executors will communicate to Mr. party had assembled, the scout, or laundress, Lockhart, to be inserted in the Life of that brought in the viands, and when Leyden great man. Heber, although never in the had poured out the tea, the scout again ensecret of the Great Unknown, was regular-tered the room, with an immense raw beef ly presented with his novels and tales as steak, which was placed on the table imthey appeared" from the author." He, how-mediately before Ritson, and of which John ever, never entertained the slightest doubt Leyden ate voraciously. Heber tasted it about their identity.

likewise, and they both pronounced the During the last seventeen years, Thorpe, steak a feast for an epicure. Ritson rose the bookseller, of Bedford-street, has been from his seat, left the room in a violent the confidential London agent of Mr. He- passion, loudly denouncing what he called ber: nearly all his purchases at auctions the cannibalism of the party; for some days and by private contract have been effected he remained inexorable, but at length the by this industrious and extensive bibliopo- persuasive manners of Heber brought him list. Heber's single-sheet old ballads, in round, by representing the matter to him as black letter, far exceed in value and curios- a mere joke. Heber for several years parity the three large volumes in folio, sold for ticipated once a week in the "Attic nights" 4777. 15s., in the Roxburgh Library, and of Dr. Raine, at the Charter-house, where which were at that time said to be the finest Professor Porson and the late Mr. Beloe in England. Two or three years back his were constant guests; and the venerable purveyor, Thorpe, made an invaluable ad- Dr. Rowth, Master of Maudin College, Oxdition to Heber's ballads, by purchasing ford, and Dr. Parr, joined in these learned from a private gentleman an immense num-libations as often as they visited London. ber, in black letter, chiefly dated from 1545 Heber was the confidential friend of the to 1570. One item in the collection is a late William Gifford, editor of the "Quarpoem on the death of Queen Elizabeth, terly Review," with whom he generally written the year she died, in which remark- took tea at midnight. On the very evening able mention is made of Shakspeare. Al- Gifford retired from the "Quarterly," which though Heber utterly disregarded large-pa- he had conducted from its commencement, per books, he was peculiarly fastidious about he took his farewell in a long and interestfine copies. We have heard on good author-ing letter which he addressed to Heber, in ity, that he purchased six copies of "Bloom- which he recapitulates the various gratificafield's History of Norfolk,” before he could tions that he had experienced in the prosatisfy himself with the purity and fineness gress of his management of that popular of the plates. He had an excellent and very journal. Lord Grenville has constantly acexpensive taste in the binding of his books; knowledged his infinite obligations to Heof late years that accomplished artist, ber, in his election of Chancellor of the

University of Oxford, when his Lordship, the fields. This propensity to imitation was was opposed by Lord Eldon and the thick not checked by his school exercises. His and thin Tory clique of that day. Lord vacant hours and holidays were occupied in Grenville rewarded the University for their drawing. At length he was put under Mr. choice of him, by presenting them with an Harle, the only drawing-master the city furunique and unrivalled edition of Homer. nished, but he refused to take money for the Heber was the frequent guest of Lord Gren- lessons he gave, saying the boy had already ville, in his rural retreat at Dropmore, where got beyond his instruction. Before he was his Lordship's brother, the Right Honoura- 20 he came to London, and was soon known ble and most accomplished Thomas Gren- as a most active and persevering student. ville, generally made a third at the literary His first publication was a view of his nabanquet. Sometime before Heber left tive city, the profits of which enabled England, which we believe was in 1825, him to visit the Highlands of Scotland, and on his last visit to Dropmore, Lord a visit which he had long ardently deGrenville gave him a specimen of his poetry sired. In the habit of a shepherd, with his in Greek, Latin, Italian and French, neatly wallet at his back, and Scott's poem, "The written on one sheet of paper. When Dr. Lay of the Last Minstrel," in his pocket, he Hodgson, the Principal of Brasennose Col-wandered over the mountains, winter and lege, and Rector of Ewell, proposed Heber to summer, till he became familiar with the varepresent the University in Parliament, he rious aspects they presented under the difstated that Heber was able to construe ferent changes of season, and laid up a Sophocles when he was eight years old; stock of materials which lasted him his life. "Is there," said Dr. Hodgson, "any other On his return he published Outlines of the person at that age now living able to do so?" Grampian Mountains. In 1813 he first apHeber and Dr. Hodgson were staying with peared as an exhibiter in the Ninth Annual the Duke of Buckingham, at Stowe, when Exhibition of the Society of Painters in Dr. Hodgson was seized with the illness Water Colours, and was elected a member that terminated in his death. This excel- the following year. But it was not till the lent man left Heber the trustee and guardi-exhibition of 1815 that his works commandan of his children. In addition to the cele-ed that public attention which gained him brated persons already mentioned, Heber extensive and abundant patronage. From numbered among his friends and associates this time his interests became identified Lord Stowell, George Ellis, Sir Egerton with the interests of the Society. As an Bridges, Chantry, Croker, Dr. Heath, the artist, Mr. Robson was remarkable for vigBishop of Exeter, Wordsworth, Sotheby, our of execution. His conception of form Sir Henry Ellis, Sir Frederick Maddan, Dr. might be sometimes wanting in grandeur, Dampiere, (late Bishop of Ely), George but his effect and colour were always powerSteevens, Isaac Reed, Joseph Ritson, Pro-ful. The Scottish hills had strongly imfessor Millman, George Hibbert, Sir Mark pressed their awful character on his imagiSikes, Rev. Mr. Todd, Mr. Park, Mr. Edw. Littledale, Mr. Justice Littledale.

EXPEDITION OF CAPTAIN ROSS.

nation. One of his last and best pictures was a view of London from the Bridge beIt is impossible to form any estimate of fore sunrise," when all that mighty heart is the number of his books, or the time they lying still." All must lament that such a would occupy should they be destined to man should be cut off in the vigour of his come to the hammer; but the most seem-age, and in the full tide of his usefulness. ingly exaggerated accounts which have hitherto been published far underrate their extent. The sale of this enormous assemblage of books, to do them justice, must spread over several years. We omitted to mention that Heber bought many of the very rare jewels in Messrs. Longman's Bibliotheca Poetica. Here this hasty and undigested memoranda must close; an "old book collector" was unwilling that Richard Heber should drop into the grave without a slight but friendly tribute to his memory.

to the Secretary of the Admiralty, details The following letter from Captain Ross the principal occurrences of his voyage; and will be found highly interesting to all who can admire enterprising courage and perse

verance:

On board the Isabella, of Hull, Baffin's Bay, Sept. 1833. MR. GEORGE ROBSON.-The late George Sir,-Knowing how deeply my Lords Robson was a native of Durham, and son of Commissioners of the Admiralty are interMr. John Robson, wine merchant of that city. His taste for drawing displayed itself at a very early age; at three or four years old he made bolder efforts, and attempted to draw from memory the objects he had observed while walking with his mother in

ested in the advancement of nautical knowledge, and particularly in the improvement of geography, I have to acquaint you, for the information of their Lordships, that the expedition, the main object of which is to solve, if possible, the question of a north

west passage from the Atlantic to the Pa-, the dry land which actually separates the cific Ocean, particularly by Prince Regent's two oceans is only five miles. This extraInlet, and which sailed from England in ordinary isthmus was subsequently visited May, 1829, notwithstanding the loss of the by myself, when Commander Ross proforemast and other untoward circumstances, ceeded minutely to survey the sea-coast, to which obliged the vessel to refit in Green- the southward of the isthmus leading to the land, reached the beach on which his Majesty's late ship Fury's stores were landed on the 13th of August.

westward, which he succeeded in tracing to the 99th deg. or to 150 miles of Cape Turnagain of Franklin, to which point the land, after leading him into the 70th degree of north latitude, trended directly: during the same journey he also surveyed 30 miles of the adjacent coast, or that to the north of the isthmus, which, by also taking a westerly direction, formed the termination of the western sea into a gulf. The rest of this season was employed in tracing the seacoast south of the isthmus leading to the eastward, which was done so as to leave no doubt that it joined, as the natives had previously informed us, to Ockullee, and the land forming Repulse Bay. It was also determined that there was no passage to the westward for 30 miles to the northward of our position.

We found the boats, provisions, &c., in excellent condition, but no vestige of the wreck. After completing in fuel and other necessaries, we sailed on the 14th, and on the following morning rounded Cape Garry, where our new discoveries commenced, and keeping the western shore close on board, ran down the coast in a S. W. and W. course, in from 10 to 20 fathoms, until we had passed the latitude of 72 north in longitude 94° west; here we found a considerable inlet leading to the westward, the examination of which occupied two days. At this place we were first seriously obstructed by ice, which was now seen to extend from the south cape of the inlet, in a solid mass, round by S. and E. to E.N.E.: This summer, like that of 1818, was owing to this circumstance, the shallowness beautifully fine, but extremely unfavourable of the water, the rapidity of the tides, the for navigation; and our object being now tempestuous weather, the irregularity of the to try a more northern latitude, we waited coast, and the numerous inlets and rocks with anxiety for the disruption of the ice, for which it is remarkable, our progress was but in vain: our utmost endeavours did not no less dangerous than tedious, yet we suc- succeed in retracing our steps more than ceeded in penetrating below the latitude of four miles, and it was not until the middle 70° north in longitude 92° west, where the of November that we succeeded in getting land, after having carried us as far east as the vessel into a place of security, which 90°, took a decided westerly direction, while we named "Sheriff's Harbour." I may land at the distance of 40 miles to south-here mention that we named the newly-dis ward was seen extending east and west. covered continent, to the southward, "BooAt this extreme point our progress was thia," as also the isthmus, the peninsula to arrested on the 1st of October by an im- the north, and the eastern sea, after my penetrable barrier of ice. We, however, worthy friend Felix Booth, Esq., the truly found an excellent wintering port, which we named Felix Harbour.

patriotic citizen of London, who, in the most disinterested manner, enabled me to equip this expedition in a superior style.

The last winter was in temperature nearly equal to the mean of what had been experienced on the four preceding voyages, but the winters of 1830 and 1831 set in with a degree of violence hitherto beyond record, the thermometer sunk to 92 degrees below the freezing point, and the average of the year was 10 degrees below the preceding; but, notwithstanding the severity of the summer, we travelled across the country to the west sea by a chain of lakes, 30 miles north of the isthmus, when Commander Ross succeeded in surveying 50 miles more of the coast leading to the N. W., and, by tracing the shore to the northward of our position, it was also fully proved that there could be no passage below the 71st degree.

Early in January, 1830, we had the good fortune to establish a friendly intercourse with a most interesting consociation of natives, who, being insulated by nature, had never before communicated with strangers; from them we gradually obtained the important information that we had already seen the continent of America, that about 40 miles to the S. W. there were two great seas, one to the west, which was divided from that to the east by a narrow strait or neck of land. The verification of this intelligence either way, on which our future operations so materially depended, devolved on Commander Ross, who volunteered this service early in April, and, accompanied by one of the mates, and guided by two of the natives, proceeded to the spot, and found that the north land was connected to the south by two ridges of This autumn we succeeded in getting the high land, fifteen miles in breadth, but vessel only 14 miles to the northward, and taking into account a chain of fresh-water as we had not doubled the Eastern Cape, lakes, which occupied the valleys between, all hope of saving the ship was at an end,

We left Fury Beach on the 8th of July, carrying with us three sick men, who were unable to walk, and in six days we reached the boats, where the sick daily recovered. Although the spring was mild, it was not until the 15th of August that we had any cheering prospect. A gale from the westward having suddenly opened a lane of water along shore, in two days we reached our former position, and from the mountain we had the satisfaction of seeing clear water almost directly across Prince Regent's Inlet, which we crossed on the 17th, and took shelter from a storm 12 miles to the eastward of Cape York. The next day, when the gale abated, we crossed Admiralty Inlet, and were detained six days on the coast by a strong north-east wind. On the 25th we crossed Navy Board Inlet, and on the following morning, to our inexpressible joy, we descried a ship in the offing, becalmed, which proved to be the Isabella, of Hull, the same ship which I commanded in 1818. At noon we reached her, when her enterprising commander, who had in vain searched for us in Prince Regent's Inlet, after giving us three cheers, received us with every demonstration of kindness and hospitality which humanity could dictate. I ought to mention also that Mr. Humphreys, by landing me at Possession Bay, and subsequently on the west coast of Baffin's Bay, afforded me an excellent opportunity of concluding my survey, and of verifying my former chart of that coast.

and put quite beyond possibility by another very severe winter; and having only provisions to last us to the 1st of June, 1833, dispositions were accordingly made to leave the ship in her present port, which (after her) was named Victory Harbour. Provisions and fuel being carried forward in the spring, we left the ship on the 29th of May, 1832, for Fury Beach, being the only chance left of saving our lives: owing to the very rugged nature of the ice, we were obliged to keep either upon or close to the land, making the circuit of every bay, thus increasing our distance of 200 miles by nearly one-half; and it was not until the 1st of July that we reached the beach, completely exhausted by hunger and fatigue. A hut was speedily constructed, and the boats, three of which had been washed off the beach, but providentially driven on shore again, were repaired during this month; but the unusual heavy appearance of the ice afforded us no cheering prospect until the 1st of August, when in three boats we reached the ill-fated spot where the Fury was first driven on shore. It was not until the 1st of September that we reached Leopold South Island, now established to be the N.E. point of America, in latitude 73- 56', and longitude 90° west. From the summit of the lofty mountain on the promontory we could see Prince Regent's Inlet, Barrow's Strait, and Lancaster Sound, which presented one impenetrable mass of ice, just as I had seen it in 1818. Here we remained in a state of anxiety and suspense, which may be easier imagined than described. All our attempts to push through were in vain; at length, being forced, by want of provisions, and the approach of a very severe winter, to return to Fury Beach, where alone there remained wherewith to sustain life, there we arrived on the 7th of October, after a most fatiguing and laborious march, having been obliged to leave our boats at Batty Bay. Our habitation, which consisted of a frame of spars, thirty-two feet by sixteen feet, covered with canvass, My steady and faithful friend, Mr. Wm. was during the month of November enclosed, Thom, of the Royal Navy, who was formerand the roof covered with snow, from four ly with me in the Isabella, besides his duty feet to seven feet thick, which, being satur- as third in command, took charge of the meated with water when the temperature was teorological journal: to the distribution and fifteen degrees below zero, immediately economy of provisions, and to his judicious took the consistency of ice, and thus we plans and suggestions, must be attributed actually became the inhabitants of an ice- the uncommon degree of health which our berg during one of the most severe winters crew enjoyed; and as two out of the three hitherto recorded. Our sufferings, aggra- who died in the four years and a half were vated by want of bedding, clothing, and cut off early in the voyage, by diseases not animal food, need not be dwelt upon. Mr. peculiar to the climate, only one man can C. Thomas, the carpenter, was the only be said to have perished. Mr. M'Diarmid, man who perished at this beach; but three the surgeon, who had been several voyages others, besides one who had lost his foot, to these regions, did justice to the high rewere reduced to the last stage of debility, commendation I received of him; he was and only thirteen of our number were able successful in every amputation and operato carry provisions in seven journeys of tion which he performed, and wonderfully sixty-two miles each to Batty Bay. so in his treatment of the sick; and I have

I now have the pleasing duty of calling the attention of their Lordships to the merits of Commander Ross, who was second in the direction of this expedition. The labours of this officer, who had the departments of astronomy, natural history, and surveying, will speak for themselves in language beyond the ability of my pen; but they will be duly appreciated by their Lordships, and the learned bodies of which he is a member, and who are already acquainted with his acquirements.

ποντὶς κύματος Αναρίθμον γελασμα ;

those summer-smiles of the ocean-all the charms and spells that Nature flings around us, the whole earth, in short, but as a vast elaboratory, where the medicines are mixed and compounded.

no hesitation in adding, that he would be the rabble of vices and passions that have an ornament to his Majesty's service. dethroned her in the present! Viewing the Commander Ross, Mr. Thom, and my-matter in this light, we may consider our self, have, indeed, been serving without pay; external world but as a series of remedial but, in common with the crew, have lost processes, or rather palliatives, to assuage our all, which I regret the more, because it our several lunacies,-its glades of verdure puts it totally out of my power adequately the breeze, the brook, and the sweet muto remunerate my fellow-sufferers, whose sic they discourse-the case I cannot but recommend for their Lordship's consideration. We have, however, the consolation, that the results of this expedition have been conclusive, and to science highly important, and may be briefly comprehended in the following words: The discovery of the Gulf of Boothia, the continent and isthmus of Boothia Felix, and But our vocation restricts us to the prosaic a vast number of islands, rivers, and lakes; side of the question. We are not all so mad the undeniable establishment that the north-as Dr. Haslam thinks; and his remark, that, east point of America extends to the 74th "there is no individual of a sound mind," is degree of north latitude; valuable observa- an epigram, not an aphorism. Insanity, tions of every kind, but particularly on the thank God, is an excepted case in the book of magnet; and, to crown all, we have had the our existence;-a parenthesis only, that inhonour of placing the illustrious name of terrupts and suspends its context; and our our most gracious Sovereign Willian IV. friend Haslam knows it as well as we do, for on the true position of the magnetic pole. an unsound is a morbid state of mind. I cannot conclude this letter, Sir, without which is morbid implies a change: whereas, acknowledging the important advantages if our minds were unsound in their primawe obtained from the valuable publications ry structure, insanity would be a symptom, of Sir Edward Parry and Sir John Franklin, not a change. There is nothing like bringand the communications kindly made to using these gentlemen, who deal in strong by those distinguished officers before our expressions, now and then to book.__ Bat departure from England. But the glory our business is with Dr. Uwins, whose Treaof this enterprise is entirely due to HIM tise we unfeignedly think is the best which whose divine favour has been most espe- the subject has yet called forth. He treats cially manifested towards us; who guided it as a gentleman and a scholar: if techniand directed all our steps; who mercifully cal occasionally, it is from necessity, and provided, in what we had deemed a calami- the penury of our language in medical ty, his effectual means of our preservation; terms;-above all, he affirms nothing but and who, even after the devices aud inventions of man had utterly failed, crowned our humble endeavours with complete success. I have, &c.

JOHN ROSS, Captain R. N. To Captain the Hon. George Elliott, &c. Secretary, Admiralty.

CRITICAL NOTICES.

That

from a copious induction of particulars. But why busy himself about a definition of madness, or about the definitions of Darwin and Brown? Why not enter at once upon the subject, without detaining himself and his readers in the useless ante-chamber of a definition? Insanity is too multiform in character, and too volatile in essence, to endure the chains of a definition. If you extend your definition, it becomes description; and, as definition is forbidden to enuA Treatise on those Disorders of the Brain merate, it is quite clear there can be and Nervous System asually considered and no definition of insanity. Dr. Uwins with called Mental. By David Uwins. his " erroneous conception," Darwin with Our planet has been called the Bedlam of his "excess of active volition," will not help the system. If it be so, how pleasing to us. As for erroneous conception, we need observe the more convalescent of the pa- not remind our accomplished author that the tients strenuously devoting their skill and most sound and accurate conception freattention to the alleviation, or at least the quently leads to those entangled problems solace, of their common malady! And how and wild eccentricities of conduct which are admirable the dispositions with which Provi- the ordinary phænomena of madness. Erdence has fitted up this beauteous hospital of roneous conception, supplying volition with incurables! What endless varities of grace motives that render its exercise unsafe to the and sublimity to breathe peace and gladness individual and to society, comes somewhat to the diseased soul, and to prepare, by the nearer the mark. Yet how much must be gentlest, but most healing of disciplines, the implied, and how much omitted, in such a human maniac for that better condition definition! It says nothing of that necessawhere Reason will have nothing to fear from 'ry ingredient of madness-a too hurried