CHAPTER X. 
POETRY. 
THE poetical productions of the last year have been unusually numerous, and 
r unusual merit. ae dp not mean to say that all, or even a Pajorty of them 
greater than might reasonably be expected. Mr. Turner, the Historian of the 
iglo-Saxons, has been engaged in the study of Welch Literature, and has evinced. 
BP attachment to the ancient language of Britain, by publishing a satisfactory 
‘vindication of the genuineness and:antiquity of many poems popularly attributed 
to Taliesin, Merdhin, and the other’ great bards of Wales: judging from the spe-’ 
cimens which this gentleman has translated in the course of his work, the poems in 
“question are certainly worthy of appearing in an English version, but are more 
likely to be consulted by the antiquary and historian, than resorted to by the 
-of poetry. The re-publication, by the late Mr. Ritson, of the most cele- 
rated Metrical Romances, is a very important service conferred on the literature 
of his country : on the knowledge and incorruptible fidelity of this editor the public’ 
y rest with liberal confidence, and will be inclined to excuse or overlook the in« 
nperate abuse into which his regard for critical veracity has not unfrequently 
rayed him. The third and last vihune of Mr. Scott’s Minstrelsy of the Scottish 
rder has made its appearance, and will add considerably to his reputation as a 
st, without impeaching his taste in any other respect. Mr. Ellis has published a 
w and improved edition of his elegant and learned Specimens of English Poetry, 
: m the earliest Ages, to the middle of the seventeenth Century. Dr. Darwin’s 
nple of Nature will not, in our opinion, add greatly to his fame}-either asa poet or 
sopher. Mr. Maurice, the author of the History of India, has collected his 
ed poems, together with some new pieces, into a very interesting volume, . 
e characteristic.of which is splendour and harmony without much pathos. The : 
thumous pcems of the late Mr. Moore, are an affecting proof, that genius, © 
Mse, piety, and poetic fire, are not of themselves sufficient to dissipate the deep, 
bscurity with which modest worth is too often enveloped. We trust that the | 
j mv ng candidate for poetic fame who has celebrated Clifton Grove with the first 
P 
nal warblings of his melodious muse, will find the patronage which he so amply 
‘deserves. A translation of some of the shorter Poems of Camoens has been pub- 
shed by Lord Strangford, who, with singular waat of judgment, has contrived to 
ess us with high respect for his abilities as a poet, at the entire expence of his 
accuracy asatranslator. The Pleader’s Guide, attributed by public report to the 
son of the author of the New Bath Guide, contains mare genuine wit and humour 
han we have met with for several years: And the Poems of Mrs. Grant impress 
as With high and equal respect for her domestic virtues and her natural talents. 
