of cedars, but the fundamentals of Christianity are fruitful as the valleys or the creeping vine."

66

Every mind not infatuated by intellectual vanity must admit that it is only some few necessary points of knowledge, relating to the constitution and movements of the spiritual and infinite world, that can be made the matter of revelation to mankind, and these must be offered in detached portions, apart from their symmetry. Meanwhile the vast interior, the immeasureable whole, not merely concealed, but is in itself strictly incomprehensible by human faculties.”—Natural History of Enthusiasm, p. 308.

P. 158, 1. 14.

And Aherman from his throne is hurl'd.

"Aherman; c'est ainsi que les anciens Persans appelloient le principe du mal, opposé à Ormosd, le principe du bien.”—D'HERBELOT, article Aherman.

"In the deep windings of the grove no more
The hag obscene and grisly phantom dwell;
Nor in the fall of mountain stream, or roar
Of winds, is heard the angry spirits' yell;
No wizard mutters the tremendous spell,
Nor sinks convulsive in prophetic swoon,
Nor bids the noise of drums and trumpets swell,
To ease of fancied pangs the labouring moon,

Or chase the shade that blots the blazing orb of noon."
BEATTIE'S Minstrel, canto ii, stanza 48.

POLAND.

THE following verses were suggested to me by the perusal of the brilliant work of Rulhière, "Histoire de l'Anarchie de Pologne," a work highly commended by the late Sir James Mackintosh in the Edinburgh Review, as well as in his private letters.

In this history, the arts and violence employed by Catherine the Great to embroil and subsequently ruin Poland, are admirably developed. The agents of her designs, her hypocrisy, cruelty, and injustice, are exhibited in all their proper colours.

The Author becomes highly animated when pointing his indignant eloquence against the oppressors and betrayers of Poland.

The harangues of Mokranouski and Pulawski may rival the best speeches in Thucydides and Livy. Frederick of Prussia was a great warrior, who, notwithstanding his pretensions to the name of a philosopher, never suffered his conscience to stand in the way of his ambition; but what induced the religious and amiable Maria Theresa, the patroness of the Author of "Attilio Regolo," to acquiesce in the dismemberment of Poland? She had her share in the spoils; but it was not the lion's share. Her conduct would be a matter of surprise, did not the experience of every day prove what a wide difference there is between theory and practice,-between the profession of generous sentiments that cost nothing, and the acting up to those sentiments in opposition to the suggestions of self-interest. Coxe does not attempt to defend the conduct of the Empress-Queen in this nefarious transaction, but coldly says she "felt or affected to feel sorrow" in consenting to the partition of Poland.

POLAND.

Le desperate strida

Odi, e i singulti, e le querele e i pianti
Delle donne tremanti,

Che, al fiero aspetto dei comun perigli,

Stringonsi al senno i vecchi padri e i figli.-FILICAIA.

Hear ye the march as of the Earth-born Forms

Array'd against the everliving Gods?

The crash and darkness of a thousand storms
Bursting their inaccessible abodes

Of crags, and thunder-clouds?

See ye the banners blazon'd to the day,
Inwrought with emblems of barbaric pride?

SHELLEY," Ode to Naples."

LUXURY with her paralysing mace

Had broke the vigour of a noble Race,
That loved of fêtes the vain magnificence,
And all the waste of prodigal expense.
Ease-loving men, and traitors, it is fear'd,

To check the march of Freedom then appear'd.
They shrunk from deeds their Country's cause required,
And recreant some against that cause conspired.
Catherine, who on the throne her minion placed,-
Good Heavens! a throne by Sobieski graced,

The prize of Europe's chivalry, a throne
Coveted as the Conqueror's laurel crown,—

"Be on my head the blood of Poland, mine
The blame!" exclaim'd the frontless Catherine.
Voluptuous Amazon! in peace or war

Alike renown'd; a Mistress or a Czar!
When mad ambition goads a Queen, or lust,
You might her "magnanimity" distrust.
Though meretricious glory gilds her name,
Insulted, ravaged Poland blasts her fame.
Ambitioning, though mantled in the robe
Of moderation, to subdue the globe,
Russia a self-styled arbitress became
Of parties that she gloried to inflame :

rage,

Through Poland strong her noxious influence grew—
Old factions she revived, engender'd new.
In this sad drama Russia play'd her part,
Subtle, through Europe with a Tartuffe's art;
Of justice canted, justice! and deceived
Those who forgot her acts, her words believed.
The scene was darken'd; slaughter on the stage
Rush'd with her Northern wolves, intense their
Howling for rapine; fast and fast a horde
Succeeding horde, o'er ravaged Poland pour'd
Their fury, prompt to murder, burn, destroy;
Such demon acts the master-fiends enjoy!
All that could be by valour-crested men
Achieved, was done by brave Sarmatians then.
Thousands half-arm'd fought gallantly, and fell;
They dared, as gentle Catherine said, rebel :