Art. 23. Il Como, Favola Boschereccia*; i. e. Comus, A Mask. By John Milton. Translated into Italian by Gætano Polidrio. Crown Dulau. 1802. 8vo. We remarked some time ago that Sigr Mariottini, in translating Milton's Paradise Lost, had made it more an Italian than an English poem, by trying to transfuse the spirit of the original into the idiom and poetical language of his own country, without aiming at a literal translation of our phraseology and poetical forms of speech and this seems to have been the wish of Sigr. Polidori in his version of Comus, which is often free, spirited, and poetical, alla Italiana; though seldom sufficiently close and literal for an Englishman to follow. Though, however, an English reader of this version may perceive the absence of many idioms and national forms of expressin which Milton has embalmed for the use of his countrymen; ver; if literally rendered, they would be unintelligible to an Italian. Englishmen will always prefer the original to a copy, unless as a hatter of curiosity, and a lesson in learning language. The opening is reasonably close, and, by a little paraphrastic assistance, tolerably intelligible: "Before the starry threshold of Jove's court Which men call earth, and with low-thoughted care Il suo peso morial lasciato in terra, We should, perhaps, translate this word rural, as its nearest equivalent in English. The Italians have appropriate for almost every profession and occupation: as Piscatory, for fishermen, Bes thereccia, for those who are occupied in woods, forests, &c. +N. S. vol. xviii. p. 528. Sia salita nel cielo, ed infra i numi Abbia pur ella il suo beato scanno.' The song of Sweet Feho, so replete with beautiful imagery, was so difficult to set, that Lawes was unable to furnish it with an air that was either graceful or pleasing; though Dr. Arne, a century later, produced one which possessed both those qualities in an eminent degree. Sigr. Polidori's version of this song is no more happy than Henry Lawes's melody.-In setting this song, Arne for once farnished a model to Handel, when he composed Sweet-Eird, in il Pinseroso, on a similar subject. There are no two airs in our language which contain more new and beautiful passages, or which furnish better opportunities for the display of a fine voice and superior vocal abilities. The numbers in the poetry of Sweet Echo are so broken, as to point out no symmetry of air, like the more modern strains of Metastasio but Sigr. Polidori, by more regular measures, seems to have lost in strength what he has gained in smoothness. We looked in vain for numbers equally flowing and fanciful with those which Milton has put into the mouth of Comus; many of which, however, have been selected for airs in Mr. Dalton's judicions arrangement of that drama for the stage. Sigr. Polidori's' imitation of Milton's manner in these charming lines would certainly have been more striking, had his measures been the same: but, by changing Milton's short-numbered eight syllables for the long Italian heroics of eleven, he makes the air move heavily in spite of a softer and smoother dialect. In the speech when the lady enters, much of the original is preserved but we missed several singularly beautiful expressions in describing the riotous mirth and vulgar joy of the swinish multitude, even in expressing their thanks for the bounty of Providence: "When for their teeming flocks, and granges full, In wanton dance they praise the bounteous Pan, And thank the Gods amiss." We know not what ideas these lines may excite in an Italian reader: but, to those who feel the whole force of the original, they will appear comparatively cold. It was, we confess, an intrepid undertaking in Sigr. P. to publish, in England, an Italian translation of one of our most beautiful poems, which, from its original force, and the subsequent changes of lan➡ guage, is now become so difficult to the natives as to want a commentary. Florence is the last place in which we should venture to give au English translation of Danté. Yet it is but justice to allow that this version, among many inevitable failures, has passages which * Comus was first performed at Drury Lane in 1738, and l' kgro ed il Penseroso at the Opera House in 1739. H 4 are are at once elegant and happy; and which, if we could afford room, we should with pleasure point out. Art. 24. L'Infedeltà punita; i. e. Inconstancy punished; a Tragical Narrative of slighted Love. By Gaetano Polidori. 8vo. pp. 40. Dulau. 1802. The Italian language is so easy of utterance, and so mellifluous in sound, that it is not only the most favourable to music, but has been emphatically called musica stessa, "music itself." If we cannot say that there is much poetry or much imagination in this tragical tale, we must at least allow it the merit of having a moral tendency, and of being told in belle parole, in beautiful words, and elegantly printed. MILITARY and NAVAL AFFAIRS. Art. 25. An Explanation of the Duties of the several Etats-Majors in the French Army. Translated from the Manuel des Adjudans Généraux et des Adjoints employés dans les Etats-Majors Divisionnaires des Armées, Pur Paul Thiébault, Adjudant Général dans Armée de la Republique Françoise. Originally printed at Paris, in the Year 1800. 8vo. pp. 150. 48. Boards. Egerton. 101. The duties and relations of the Etat- Major of the French, of which we have heard so much, appear to have been very little understood, even in France, before Adjutant General Thiebault published the work of which a translation is here presented to us. It caunot, therefore, fail of being interesting to all who have any curiosity on the subject, and particularly to officers of every class; since, in de scribing the duties of the Staff, the author is led into instructions of the first consequence to military men. For their information, and to give a specimen of M. Thiébault's judgment, we quote the following observations, taken from the article on guides; How many battles might have been gained, which were only lost, (lost, only) because whole corps, having followed routes too long or erroneous, have either arrived too late, or not all, at the points assigned them; how much too might the mischiefs resulting from unsuccessful battles have been diminished, by administering to an army in retreat all those advantages which the country might afford, for covering or securing its movement; and, lastly, how much, even after a victory, the perfect knowlege of localities might add to the means of drawing from a victory the greatest advantage of which it is susceptible.' Perhaps it is owing to the corps of guides, as a part of the excellence of the French Staff, that most of their victories have been decisive, while those of their enemies have seldom been of any im portant consequence. A numerous and well organized Staff is certainly invaluable: but we do not call that a Staff, which, as we have too often seen in England, is composed of members who have nothing but fashion and interest to recommend them; and who, instead of being of use, are only an expensive incumbrance. We have the satisfaction, however, of observing that science is now gradually introducing itself in the British Army, and we hope that the present publication will accelerate its progress. If we may be permitted to turn from these serious reflections, we would afford our readers a smile by observing that brandy, on the reports of which, as a stimulative to French courage, such different opinions have been holden, has here honourable mention; it being particularly recommended to have, in the rear of the column, 'some carte laden with brandy.'-We were rather surprized, in a work proceeding from a country like republican France, which avows that it owed its first successes to the "magic cry" of "Guerre aux chateaux, Paix aux cabanes," to read of war against the Peasants,' P. 119, line 13.-The translator, notwithstanding his modest apprehensions, appears to have done justice to his author. Art. 26. The British Commissary. In Two Parts. Part 1st. A System for the British Commissariat on Foreign Service. Part 28. An Essay towards ascertaining the Use and Duties of a Commissariat Staff in England. By Haviland Le Mesurier, Esq. 8vo. pp. 211. 6s. Boards. Egerton. 1801. The officers of the army are generally remarked for their sentiments of honour: but we are concerned to observe that honor and bonesty are not always considered, even by them, as synonymous terms. To speak more plainly, the meaning of the latter word seemed, till lately, almost unknown in the pecuniary transactions of military service; and we have actually heard it used as a term of reproach to a meritorious individual, who left his family in indigent circumstances, because he neglected to plunder the public when it was in his power!-In the West Indies, particularly, the profligate system of fraud and peculation has been carried to a monstrous extent, and with a barefaced effrontery scarcely credible. The efforts of an insulted government have, however, for some time past been especially directed to that quarter; and we hope that there will be found courage sufficient both to punish and to expose the guilty, with just severity: for there are delinquents still holding up their heads, and living in the different places, with every appearance of fashion, whose consciences must tell them that their proper abode would be a cell, associated with perjury and theft. Yet, from the prevalency of these crimes, they are, by some, considered as so pardonable, that, as the late excellent Chief Justice Lord Kenyon, with indignation remarked, "Men of consequence do not hesitate to come into court, and give an honourable character to miscreants convicted of the most flagrant public frauds! As if producing false vouchers, plundering the state, and dishonestly entailing additional taxes on their fellow citizens, were no reproach.' Any attempt to counteract such practices cannot but be well received by all honest men; and Mr. Le Mesurier is intitled to the gratitude of the country, for introducing and publishing a system which, as far as human efforts can succeed, will, if strictly adopted, prevent frauds to any considerable extent.-Besides the great objects of producing regularity and honesty in the military public accounts, the author proposes several plans and regulations, which are worthy the attention of Government, and of every individual concerned in the commissariat, Art Art. 27. The English Bowman, or Tracts on Archery: To which is added the Second Part of the Bowman's Glory. By T. Roberts, a Member of the Toxophilite Society. 8vo. pp. 298. 10s. 6d. Boards. Egerton. 1801. This is a well executed and seemingly complete investigation of archery, chiefly collected from Ascham, Sir John Smith, and other worthies.-Mr. Roberts has also given some excellent comments on those writers; with the addition of several chapters of his own and many valuable notes, which shew his extensive reading, and the very great attention which he has paid to his subject. The work is divided into four parts; containing, 1st. An Examination into the History, Character, and Military Career of the English Long-bow, &c. 2d. An Account of the Revival of Archery, &c. 3d. An Inquiry and Investigation into such extraordinary Feats, as are said to have been achieved with the English Long-bow, in former Times, &c. 4th. The Art and Practice of Archery, &c. These particulars are followed by a glossary, and a "Remembrance of the Shows and Shootings, or Appearances of Archers, in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries." The last article must be as curious to antiquaries as it is interesting to toxophilites. The author dwells with patriotic exultation on the glorious exploits performed by our ancestors with the long-bow, under Henry V. and the Black Prince; while the feats also of Robin Hood and Little John are not forgotten. Of modern archers, Sultan Selim the 24, the present Grand-Signior, appears to take the lead.—We doubt, however, the correctness of the statement of his Highness shooting an arrow nine hundred and seventy-two yards; (note, p. 100;) especially as Sir Robert Ainslie, before whom this extraordinary shot is said to have been made, and measured, in 1798, had left the Porte sometime before that year. Art. 28. The Young Midshipman's Instructor; (designed as a Companion to Hamilton Moore's Navigation;) with useful Hints to Parents of Sea Youth, and to Captains and School-Masters in the Royal Navy. By David Morrice, late School-Master of his Majesty's Ship Hussar. 8vo. PP. 134. 3 s. 6d. Boards, Egerton. 1801. This little treatise has also appeared as part of a larger work, pub. lished by the same author, intitled "The art of teaching or communicating Instruction; examined, methodized, and facilitated;" of which we propose hereafter to take notice. Mr Morrice has here divided his Instructor into short sections under the following heads; Geography and Astronomy, Chronology, Mathematics, the French Language, and on young Persons studying without a Master. They are intended for the younger class of pupils, ( younkers,' as the author, according to marine phraseology, terms them,) and are not ill calculated, as auxiliaries, to throw light on more regular studies. Art. |