ORIGINAL POETRY.

A GENETHLIACON.

HAIL, first-born offspring of a brother dear!
Bright be thy course on earth from year to year!
In childhood's sunny days may'st thou be blest,
With rosy health, by parents be caressed.
May they in turn the parents blessing share,
And own their joy far, far exceeds their care;
Acknowledge that to God they owe all praise
For having thee to enliven all their days.
May they with fondness watch thy youth's career,
Thy first attempts to speak with transport hear,
With tender looks watch thy attempts to run,

And guard thee from the dangers thou shouldst shun.
To thee may Wisdom's path be early known,
And beauteous Virtue's face to thee be shown;
Oh! may'st thou in the former love to tread,
And with the latter be securely wed.
Then surely length of happy days thoul't see,
And honoured age thy due reward wil't be.

Sweet Infant! ere I leave this pleasant theme,
Of thee I'll tell what is my waking dream,
How I, in fancy, trace thy steps through life,
And see thee struggling through this world of strife;
How bright, methinks, the course is thou dost run,
And what good actions thou hast nobly done.
When thou these lines shalt read some future day,
(Mayhap when he who penned shall be clay,)
May they, within thy soul, a rage inspire,
And to great deeds thy emulation fire.

Methinks I see thee now a playful boy,
Thy sparkling eyes betokening thy jɔy,
Thy diligence by all thy friends approved,
And by thy schoolmates all, sincerely loved;
And on thy smiling countenance I trace,
The germs of future, open, manly grace.
And what is deemed the noblest trait of youth,
Thou never fear'st to speak the simple truth,
God's holy laws thou constantly dost keep,

And for his mercy pray'st each night ere thou dost sleep.

I now can fancy thee at man's estate,

And with the world to struggle 'tis thy fate,
Of Sorrow's cup thou'st had a transient taste,
Enough to warn thee thoughtless days are past;
That now 'tis time thou should'st attempt to steer
Thy unassisted self in thy career.

I see thee nobly fighting for a name,
By virtuous deeds securing virtuous fame,
Thy days are spent in honourable tcil,
And portions of thy nights beside the oil.
The haunts of dissipation thou dost shun,
In Folly's ways thou leavest fools to run;
The lights of learning thou know'st how to prize;
For thy companions thou dost choose the wise;
By all good men thy company is sought;
For evil purpose thou can'st ne'er be bought;
Thou lov'st thy country, and for it would die,
Should she e'er need the brave, to face her enemy.

With silver hairs, yet with a polished brow,
In easy chair, methinks I see thee now;
Respected art thou by thy children dear,
And honoured every where thou dost appear.

The poor man blesses thee, his best of friends,
For thee a thousand prayers to heaven he sends ;
Thou fear'st not to yield thy latest breath,

And, with a tranquil mind, thou wait's the approach of deat

VERSES.

THE subject of the three following verses was suggested a fev years ago, when residing at Roumili-Hissar, or the European Cas tle of the Bosphor s, where it is commonly believed, as in othe parts of the East, that the Bulbu, in pouring forth her melodiou song, loves to sit by the fair flowers of the wild rose bush. The place is well known as one where she delights to resort, and where the beauties of the scene, abounding in sequested and flowery bowers seem to add a peculiar charm and cadence to her notes.

According to the promise given in our first number, we commence our pleasing task of noticing our Theatrical Amusements. We would fain give due praise to all deserving praise, but our limits compel us to confine ourselves to a few general remarks. As we proceed with our publication, we hope to have frequent opportunities of laying before our readers unprejudiced opinions of the talents of those who tread our boards; and we beg to assure them, that it is our intention to speak as we find, giving praise where it is deserved, and to point out errors when such appear. In doing so, we shall be careful not to wound the feelings of any party, but we wish to have unbiased opinions and to express those opinions freely.

This week the play going public, have been delighted with hearing the best English vocalists of the day, Mr. and Mrs. Wood, who have appeared in their respective parts in La' Somnambula, Cinderella, and Fra Diavolo; their highly gifted talents are so well know, and so justly appriciated, that any praise of ours would be to "throw perfume o'er the violet." This evening, Bellini's Opera of Norma will be produced for the first time at this Theatre, wherein we shall have an opportunity of seeing Mr. and Mrs. Wood in parts which are new to us and our Liverpool friends. Of this opera, and the opera of the Postillion, which is to be produced next week, we shall have more to say in our next number, and of the lesser stars, Miss Poole, Mr. Gimbielli, and Mr. Brough, who are also delighting the Liverpool lovers of music.

MISCELLANEA.

GEORGE THE THIRD'S OPINION OF QUIN.

ANECDOTE OF THE EMPEROR NICHOLAS AND HIS FAVOURITE

FRENCH COMEDIAN VERNET.

66

At St. Petersburgh, as well as in Moscow, the French theatre is preferred to the great national theatres, and the Czar himself is an assiduous frequenter of it. The French company sustained a great loss by the death of Mademoiselle Bras, an actress formerly attached to the Vaudeville in Paris. This lady is said to have been honored with the especial favour and protection of the Emperor Nicholas. A comic actor named Vernet is a great favourite at St. Petersburgh, and has received frequent marks of the imperial satisfaction. One day as the Emperor was walking in the streets of St. Petersburgh, accompanied only by his brother, the Grand Duke Micheal, Vernet happened to pass. The Czar had seen him on the preceeding evening in a new character, and had been greatly amused by his performance. His Majesty accosted him, saying, "Vernet, I must compliment you on your performance last night. You were excessively droll." "Sire," replied the actor, "I feel too highly flattered by your Majesty's approbation." "I should like to see you play the character again,” returned the Emperor. "I was much amused, so much so, that I could not suffer you to pass without expressing the gratification your performance afforded me." The Czar walked on, but Vernet stood riveted to the spot, perfectly astounded by the honor conferred on him. He was suddenly restored to his self-possession by feeling on his shoulder the heavy hand of a Commissioner of Police, and at the same moment a thundering voice uttered the word "Halt." "What means this "exclaimed Vernet. "I arrest you, it is forbidden to accost the Emperor in the public streets." "I did not accost the Emperor. His Majesty accosted me." "Accost you, indeed! a likely story, truly! You Frenchmen have so much assurance, you think you may do anything. You are my prisoner, so come along, no resistance!" In spite of his earnest remonstrances, Vernet was dragged to the guardhouse, where he was confined for four-and twenty hours. On the following evening the actor again played his new character, and the Emperor applauded him with increased warmth. At the termination of the play, when the Czar was leaving his box, he saw a man standing in the lobby, and evidently waiting for him. He immediately recognised Vernet. Ah, Vernet!" exclaimed the Emperor, "I have been as much amused as on the first night. I am enchanted with your talent." "I am most grateful for your Majesty's gracious indulgence; but I humbly entreat that your Majesty will never again stop me in the street to honor me with your approbation." "Why not?" "Because your Majesty's condescension cost me twenty-four hours imprisonment. I was arrested by a Commissary of Police, and falsely charged with having presumed to accost your Majesty in the street." "I am very sorry to hear that, Vernet, I will enquire into the matter.', Early on the following morning Vernet received a visit from the Commissioner of the Police, who came to beg, very humbly, that he would pardon the mistake which had led to his imprisonment.

New Monthly Magazine.

His Majesty, George the Third, adverted to these times, and Quin's superior manner of reading the part to his Royal father and mother, in a conversation with Mr. West, at Buckingham House, soon after the death of Garrick :-"I rememember the time," continued his Majesty, "it is as fresh upon my memory as the affairs of yesterday—and I never forget. Garrick was great in every character; but Quin's Falstaff was unique. His chuckling laugh, the fat in his throat, surpassed all I have ever heard; and though I could not then have reached more than my tenth year, I yet see and hear the manhis arch manner is at this moment in my eye, and his merry chuckle equally present to my ear. Perchance playgoers may endure for ages, and never behold his like again. One Shakespeare and one Quin !"-Frazer's Magazine.

LEARNING.

NO LEARNING WITHOUT PREPARATION.-No man can learn what he has not preparation for learning, however near to his eyes is the object. A chemist may tell his most precious secrets to a carpenter, and he shall never be the wiser; the secrets he would not utter to a chemist for an estate. God screens us even more from premature ideas. Our eyes are holden that we cannot see things that stare us in the face, until the hour arrives when the mind is ripened; then we behold them, and the time when we sa them not is like a dream.-Emerson's (an American Author) Essay on Spiritual Laws.

A GRAND ANNOUNCEMENT.

A person at Keswick, wanting to dispose of some bees, to attract purchasers, printed the following placard :-" Extensive sale of live stock, comprising not less than one hundred and forty thousand head, with an unlimited right of pasturage." The ingenious device succeeded to admiration, for his "stock" brought high prices.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

The letter signed "Cerberus" contains many just observations—indeed had the Editor been his own critic he would have passed the same judgment upon the contents of the first number. We are happy that the Remarks on Oratory have met such favourable reception. In our future numbers we hope to be able to give more that is original and more possessing local interest. We shall be pleased with the communications Cerberus promises to favor us with.

Other letters have been received commending our objects and wishing us success-one only has come to hand of an ill-natured character, the writer (if a school-boy, as we suppose) deserves two floggings from his usher, one for his bad moral conduct in displaying malignity against a virtuous undertaking— the other for the grammatical inaccuracies with which his letter teems. certainly ought not to discontinue taking the Journal, for he may derive much benefit and learn much better sense than he possesses, even from a work of such humble pretensions.

He

All communications ought to be sent to the Printing office on Monday, or Tuesday, or they will most propably, be too late for the following Saturday's Journal.

Alpha will see that the errors he mentions are corrected by the able Seccretary of the Mechanic's Institution. Anecdotes of Travels will be acceptable, if they be of an interesting nature and possess originality. If sufficiently encouraged we will gladly incur the expense of illustrating such subjects as require it, with good wood cuts.

W. R. H. in our next.

We omitted mentioning that the two paintings, so highly spoken of, in our last number, are in the present Liverpool Exhibition.

Liverpool:-Printed at HUGH GAWTHROP's General Printing Office, Clarence Buildings, 34, North John-street.

No. 3.

ESSAY ON STUDY,

BY HUGH GAWTHROP.

Of all poverty, that of the mind is the most deplorable. If there be any subject upon which too much cannot be said, or which cannot be too often and too strongly urged on the attention of youth, it is that of the present essay. To point out the advantages and pleasures derived from the possession of a well-cultivated mind, in such a way as to create in the reader a desire to improve his own understanding,—to point out to him the best method he can adopt, to gain this great end, is a noble task, and the attempt, even if unsuccessful, is at any-rate praiseworthy. Youth, it has been rightly asserted, is the time for storing the mind with that information which the traveller through this world ought to possess. Dependent on the extent and usefulness of the knowledge he at this period acquires, are many of the greatest blessings he can enjoy in his journey through life. It is folly to rest satisfied with what is learned at school. Children are seldom, if ever, capable of understanding properly the lessons they there receive; the most which a teacher can do is to lay the foundation stone-to direct to the best path-to infuse into the mind the desire of acquiring information and refer his pupil to the best authorities. When a teacher has done this, and implanted within him a detestation of vice and a love of virtue, he has done almost as much as lies in his power. Every youth, after he has left school, ought to improve his knowledge of those subjects which his inclination and interest lead him to pursue. It is according to the circumstances in which a youth is placed that I would have him draw out his plan of study. I am aware that it would be an impossibility for any one to point out a particular course suited to youth of all capacities and in all situations; much general advice, however, may be given calculated to be of service to one desirous of making himself acquainted with Literature and Science. He who really possesses

That wish to know, that endless thirst, Which e'en by quenching is awaked,— and prefers the innocent and lasting recreations of his books, to the momentary pleasures, if pleasures they can be called, of intoxication and dissipation, even though not endowed by nature with a superior

1841.

genius, will soon make himself better acquainted with the truths of philosophy-get more extensive and correct ideas, and command more esteem and admiration, than he to whom nature has given good intellect, quick perception, and bright genius, but who neglects the cultivation of his talents. He who falls under the latter description, is often, in the pride of his heart, induced to believe, he is sufficiently acquainted with every thing necessary to pass through the world, even with reputation. He thinks that he can obtain a just opinion of man from his own observation, and, therefore, does not think it worth his while to study books. He also thinks, that labor and perseverance are beneath the soaring flight of genius. Away, vain youth, with such absurd and false notions as these. Who are those that have immortalized their names and done honor to the country which gave them birth? who are those whose productions serve to entertain and enlighten the whole of mankind ? are they men who would not deign to be instructed? are they individuals who thought assiduous study beneath them? Read their Biographies, they will unfold a different tale. It will be found that the far greater portion, are men who sought for knowledge, and grasped it as a miser would gold. How was it with Franklin, Gifford, Murray, nay—to go on enumerating those who owe their greatness to their industry and perseverance, would fill volumes with names. Away then with your idle excuses! away with your nonsensical notions of genius being able to grasp all kinds of knowledge without application. It is not thus that it displays itself, no—a strong mind shows itself like a strong body, by being able to travel on when others have been obliged to stay through fatigue.

Having now endeavoured to guard youth against the foolish error into which many have fallen, I shall proceed to point out the subjects most worthy attention, and the method one ought to adopt in pursuit of them. I address youth in the middle class of society. It is now an universally admitted fact, that knowledge is the source of numerous pleasures-pleasures which do not "come like shadows, so depart but which will remain with their possessor always, and serve to lighten his drooping spirits when disappointments and misfortunes assail him. Akenside,

"

in his beautiful poem, the " Pleasures of Imagination," correctly relates the joys of a cultivated mind, in the following much-admired lines :-

"O blest of heaven! whom not the languid songs
Of luxury, the Syren !-not the bribes

Of sordid wealth-nor all the gaudy spoils
Of pageant honor, can seduce to leave

Those ever blooming sweets-which from the store
Of nature fair Imagination culls

To charm the enlightened soul !-His the City's pomp, &c." There was a time when knowledge was excluded from all except princes and nobles. At the period to which I allude, books were so scarce, that with the same sum for which a large library might now be purchased, only one book could then be had; fortunately for us, the difficulty which then existed of becoming learned, and which would debar the far greater portion of mankind from ever tasting the sweets of knowledge, is completely done away with, by that simple, but truly wonderful machine, the printing press. All men, in all classes of society, are now able to improve themselves in the knowledge of any subject they desire. The effects of the printing press are known. All men have the opportunity of cultivating their understanding; and knowledge has spread itself through every ramification of society. Blessings innumerable and inestimable have resulted from it; the moral condition of man has been wonderfully raised, and his happiness considerably increased.— But besides these, other results have sprung from it, which must not be forgotten, the press has been abused, some men have such very perverted ideas of things; some see objects in false lights; some have not had the advantage of circumstances to enable them to carry their enquiries into a particular subject sufficiently far; some possess a lively imagination, treat on any topic beautifully, though perhaps at the same time by no means correctly; some with the desire of getting money; and others again with expectation of stumbling upon fame, have altogether written and published so much nonsense on every subject, that it is requisite for a student after making up his mind, what branch of knowledge to pursue to be very careful in his selection of books; on this, in a great measure, depends the progress he makes, and the soundness of the information he acquires. The same natural ability and the same degree of application, on the part of the student who reads the best authorities, and goes on regularly, step by step, would carry him very much higher, than the one who reads at random the first books on the subject which come to his hands. When once a study is engaged in, it should be followed with a steady perseverance Nothing worth having can be had without labor. As in the study of

painting, so in the pursuit of knowledge; he who would arrive at proficiency must set to work in earnest; he must be industrious, and have for his motto, "No day without learning something," even tho' that something be little, yet a little added day after day, will, in the course of time, accumulate so greatly as to surprise and gratify the possessor.

Among the first and most important things to be learned is the knowledge of ones'self: "know thyself" was the motto of the ancient Grecians, and a motto worthy those distinguished and illustrious men. Each person in order to become acquainted with himself, ought frequently to reflect on his own conduct, for that knowledge can only be acquired by constant observation. If a person on searching into himself, finds that he is deficient in many important respects, let him regulate his studies accordingly: for instance, as Bacon says in his Essay on Study, "if a man's wit be wandering, let him study the mathematics, for in demonstrations, if his wit be called away, never so little, he must begin again, &c. so every defect of the mind may have a special receipt."

The mind, by being constantly exercised, may be strengthened exceedingly; what might at first have appeared to be an insurmountable obstacle, will by degrees, assume such a different aspect, as to excite wonder that it was ever looked upon with a kind of awe. A mind uncultivated and unaccustomed to think, is easily staggered; but when it becomes strengthened by habitual exercises, it will stem every attack and brave every opposition. Fresh ideas will spring up and go on expanding as the student advances, and it is impossible to say where they will stop, for no man knows how nearly to perfection his mind may be brought; men have no conception of the powers of their own understandings till they have brought them into use. Locke has said, "many a good poetic vein is buried under a trade, and never produces for want of cultivating." He who feels desirous of making himself proficient in any particular study, must begin in earnest and proceed regularly. The chief requisites for a student are Regularity and Perseverance; if he will but bear this in mind, the difficulties in whatever he is pursuing will vanish, with a rapidity that will highly encourage him. If the student does not go on regularly, step by step, higher and higher, but rushes forward in too great haste, he will be in danger of getting bewildered, and of giving up his pursuit in dispair. Over eagerness and exertion must be avoided-great consequences are the result of slow and steady perseverance-a torrent of water for a moment falling on a rock will leave no impression, but a little constantly dropping on it, will, in time,

wear it away. It is a good thing to draw out a plan of study, which plan ought not to be the whim of a moment, but the result of sound and deliberate reasoning. When drawn out and the individual is himself satisfied that it is the best he can adopt for the attainment of his own end, he should make a firm re. solution strictly to adhere to it, and his labours are almost certain to be crowned with success. But he must beware of continually making fresh resolutions, and drawing out new plans, this would clearly show that none were kept long. Another thing I must also mention, for it is a common fault among youth-do not follow too many subjects at once, it is always best to completely master one before another is commenced.

Some youths by being desirous of grasping too many subjects at once, confuse themselves, and at last merely get a smattering of each, in the same time as they might have gained a tolerable proficiency in all, had they been content, or wise enough, to follow only one at a time. The answer given by the celebrated De Witt is worth repeating and remembering-on being asked how he managed to transact such a load of business? he replied, "By doing only one thing at a time."

I shall now make a few observations on the manner in which books ought to be read. In reading, one should never pass over a chapter, or even a sentence, without perfectly understanding the author's meaning, otherwise the contents cannot be retained in the memory.

It would be very beneficial to the reader if, occasionally after reading a chapter or one or two pages, he were to close the book and repeat to himself, in his own words, as much as he could remember. This practice would doubtless be very irksome at first, but by habitually accustoming himself to it, it would soon become an easy task, and serve the double end of very materially strengthening the memory and acquiring the power of speaking with ease and accuracy. There are some readers who think that the extent of their knowledge is dependent on the number of books they have perused, and, therefore, skim over a great many as quickly as possible. It is a common thing to meet with persons holding this mistaken notion; with such it is almost impossible to converse, as they invariably lay a great stress upon the quantity, not the quality, of what they have read, and are perfectly satisfied that they are very learned, nor can they easily be persuaded to the contrary. I have generally found these kind of readers acquainted with but very little. Almost all they had read they had forgotten, and on such parts as needed reflection they had never pondered. Different authors have recommended different methods

of reading. Certainly, no person can be said to be properly acquainted with a book until he has read it twice over, but there are some books which, before they can be understood, require to be still more frequently perused, and others, again, which it would not be worth while to read over more than once. The student's own judgment and discretion will lead him to discover which such are. There are some books which may be read by all with profit, and which, in fact, all ought to read, as Histories, Biography, Poetry, and those which have reference to the conduct of the understanding. I shall make a few remarks upon each of these. The study of History is, perhaps, of the first importance, more especially the history of one's own country. With this every one should be acquainted, not superficially, but radically. This is not to be gained by reading abridgements and school books, but by studying Hume, or Lingard, or Macintosh; by deeply investigating what our constitution is, and what are our laws; by taking notice of the changes which have at various times taken place; by tracing the causes and consequences of these changes; whether those which have taken place suddenly or gradually have contributed most to the well-being of the country, and what results have arisen from one class of society having had influence over the other, all this is essential to attain a thorough knowledge of historyit is not enough to become acquainted with mere facts, one must also study the Philosophy of History. After a person has made himself conversant with the history of his own country, he may then study those of Greece, Rome, Spain, Portugal, France, Arabia, &c. from all of which may be learned lessons of the highest utility. It would perhaps be advantageous to read a general outline of the history of the world, previous to descending to particular countries.

The study of Biography is likewise of great use, insomuch as by it, we must improve our own moral character. By reading the lives of distinguished men, we have a noble emulation awakened within us-we instinctively feel a desire to tread in the same honorable path-we are also taught the superior enjoyments of those who have raised their minds to such a pitch of excellence, as to be able to derive pleasure from every thing which presents itself before them. In this study, we are taught to admire the characters of men who have followed the path of rectitude-we have invariably presented before us, the truth of virtue having its own reward; and so beautiful is virtue, that even a description of her inspires us with a desire to imitate her. The Prince of Biographers, Plutarch, at the commencement of one of his Lives, has the following very