156 SECRET MEMORANDUMS. 



times it may ; and if the similes are too much crowded in the 

 course of several successive stanzas, there are others wherein a 

 charming simplicity and prppriety is carefully preserved. We can- 

 not say that the stanzas about the lark, which our contemporaries 

 have quoted, are much to our taste ; but no doubt they will be ad- 

 mired by many readers. We must here declare, however, in the 

 most unflinching manner, that greatly as we love freedom, and 

 highly as we applaud all noble efforts in its cause, we nevertheless 

 disapprove of the general tone and spirit in which Mr. Wimble has 

 composed his poem. It savours too much of innovation and radical 

 movement to be acceptable to the New Twaddler. It may, however, 

 be relished by a numerous class of readers. 



* * * * 



" The above are selected from numerous instances of abominable 

 stuff about liberty, the violence in purpose of which is only to be 

 equalled by their weakness of meaning. The merits of the poem 

 are a pleasanter task to discuss. We have seldom met with any 

 thing finer than the following lines: 



" 'Aye in the midway of that pleasant path 



That runs between the torrent and the wall, 

 There would he stand with glee that was half ruth, 



And idly pelt the pearly pebbles small.' 



" Few readers of any sensibility or fancy, can fail to admire the 

 charming naivete of f pelting pebbles.' It reminds us of our youth, 

 and all its pearly thoughts. We have, however, a serious charge to 

 make against Mr. Wimble on the score of plagiarism. Let our 

 readers only compare the following verses from the ' Rise of Liberty,' 

 with those that accompany them from Wat Tyler : 

 " ' Where is the poor man's liberty, 

 Whose constant sweat scarce pays the constant tax?' 



WIMBLE. 



" ' The parliament for ever cries more money, 

 The service of the state demands more money ! 

 Just heavens ! of what service is the state ?' SOUTHEY. 



" We are glad Mr. Southey has seen the errors of his early pro- 

 ductions; and it is insufferable to find these discarded rebellious 

 opinions thus raked up, and given to us at second-hand. Again : 

 mark the gross plagiarism from another more recondite quarter. 

 " ' And in a chamber silent as a grave, 

 And as opaque, he sat with weary heart, 

 While sad thoughts heav'd, like dead flowers on the wave.' 



WIMBLE. 



" ' A chamber deaf to noise, and blind to light, 

 A rosy garland, and a weary head.' 



SIB PHILIP SIDNEY. 



" Instances of plagiarism from the fine tragedies of Sheridan 

 Knowles, and Miss Kemble's ' Francis the First/ are equally appa- 

 rent. It is but justice to add that the volume is very tastily got up, 

 and has a unique appearance." 



While my hand was in, I dashed off a notice for a certain weekly 

 paper, which shall be nameless. It amounted to nothing, and con- 

 cluded characteristically. " We have no more space at present to 



