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596 
©ur streets, so long with walking idiots curst, 
Where ‘‘ Dunce the second elbows Dunce 
thefirse, “s. 
Might see parade their crowded path along, 
A novel species—an enlightened throng ; 
Hren Bond-street loungers bright ideas gain, 
And what is now a blank—become a brain: 
Thy walk, Pall-Mall! might every evening 
boast, ; 
A head illuns’d for each illumin’d post, 
Mighccount a szavant tenant to each house, 
And London rival Laputain NOYS. 
In a digression, the author slightly 
glances at the Royal Institution; and 
concludes with the supposed conversion 
of Mr. Winsor, after death, into a Pa- 
TENT PLANET. . 
Of instructive poetry for children, one 
of the best specimens 1s perhaps affarded 
in. Mrs. Rowse’s “ Outlines of English 
Fiistory.” We transcribe the opening as 
a specimen: 
‘¢ Britain, in ancient times was founl, 
A rude, but fertile spot of ground, 
And early writers all describe 
Its settlersasa Celtic tribe, 
Who leit the northern Gallic shore, 
Th’ inviting Island to explore 5 
Some, dwelling near the ocean’s side, 
By tillage, mature’s wants supply’d, 
While others, inland, lov’d the chase, 
A hardy and a warlike race, 
Whose painted skins, and shaggy dress, 
Well did their savage state express ; 
Their cottages were thatch’d with straw, 
And many leaders gave them law; 
But when uncommon danger press’d, 
‘They chose a chief to rule the rest. 
Both horse and foot compos’d their force, 
And by the chariot’s warlike course, 
With scythes the axle-tree around, 
‘Thousands were slain upon the ground, 
We see, in Britain’s public care, 
Religion held the largest share 5 
The Druids often made the law, 
And kept the people much in awe ; 
Simple their lives, their manners grave, 
Withina hoeilow tree or cave, 
They pass’d their days, and mostly fed 
On acoxms and the berry red. 
Sad were their rites, for mortals flam’d 
in idols to the god they nam’d; 
Q! praise your God, ye British youth, 
©} bless him for the light of truth! 
Another little volume, in imitation of 
Dr. Watts’s “Specimens of Moral Songs,” 
will be found in Mrs. Bicnarpson’s 
* Poems for the Instruction. of Youth.” 
In an address ‘‘ to the maturer reader,” 
Mrs, Richardson deprecates the severity 
of criticism. We transcribe the little 
poem to the memory of Dr. Watts. 
8* Benign instructor of unthinking youth, 
Humbly to thee I consecrate the lay, 
Desirous to impress each sacred truth : 
Happy, if useful, in this first. essay. 
* 
trust will justify our criticism: 
: 
Retrospect of Domestic Literature—Poetry. 
Should thy kind spirit hold discourse below, 
And favouring view resum‘d thy moral 
plan, : in 
Would that a quickening force it might 
bestow, : +; 
Aiding the work thy hallow’d muse 
began! — 
And that (allied by birth) a kindred fre 
Sublime might elevate this feeble song: 
Yet not ambitiously would I aspire 
‘To win such praises as to thee belong. 
Enough for me, the PRopHet’s fate rea 
vers’d, 3 
With but a portion of thy spirit bless’d; 
That when these humble stanzas are re- 
hears’d, 1 ; 
There should appear aught of thy mind 
express’d, : 
May thy inspiring genius lead meon, 
Blending amusement with instruction 
plain; 
That, though fair virtue’s tuneful bard be. 
gone, jloee 
This simple verse may not be read in 
vain.” on. 
DRAMA. 
“ The Fall of Portugal, or the Reyat 
Eiziles.” A Tragedy, in Five Acts. 
——The poetry of this drama is elegant 
and classical, and bears evident marks of © 
a masterly hand. oe 
The “ Dramatis Persone,’ consist 
chiefly of the first personages in the go-, 
vernment of Portugal. The grand point 
on which the plot is founded, consists in 
the attempts made by Junot, the general 
of the French troops, and his agents, to’ 
induce the Prince Regent and his mini- 
sters to remain in Lisbon, and trust the 
specious promises of friendship and pro- 
tection offered by the French General, 
in the name of Buonaparte. Jai 
The character of Elvira is nobly sus-’ 
tained, love and ambition give way to 
loyalty and patriotism, and urge her to 
save the prince and her country, by re- 
vealing the treason of her lover. | 
‘The following lines from the scene in 
Actii, between Elvira and Alvarez, we 
ALVAREZ. 
Know. then, thy friend Braganza’s fate 
approaches ! 
His boasted beam of royalty obscur’d, | 
What is Braganza, but in name a prince? 
A higher genius awes him and controuls ; 
Press'd by Naroxteon’s power, he is no’ 
more 
Than. were a wren within the. eagle’s 
gripe ! ae 
With ease o*ercome! he abdicates - his 
throne ! 
It must be All'deewhat if Alvarez fill it ? 
ELVIRA. 
