But, 'twas in fair and honourable fight, GULNARE. Rest?---rest?---by sunrise must thy quivering limbs Around the stake in torturing anguish writhe--- The final, fatal scene of Conrad in the death-chamber of Medora, is pathetically related in the poem. "He turned not-spoke not-sunk not-fixed his look, And set the anxious frame that lately shook: That death with gentler aspect withered there; Oh! o'er the eye death most exerts his might, But she is nothing--wherefore is he here? XXI. He asked no question---all were answered now soar: The proud---the wayward---who have fixed below Their joy--and find this earth enough for wo, Lose in that one their all---perchance a mite--- By those, that deepest feel, is ill exprest His heart was formed for softness---warped to wrong; Betrayed too early, and beguiled too long; now. The thunder came---that bolt hath blasted both, "SCENE 5th. Music soft and plaintive-- 1 magnificent apartment in the interior of the watch tower---Medora extended in death upon a superb sofa---flowers scat tered around her---lamps burning---handmaids kneeling on each side, weeping---Conrad impatiently enters, starts wildly, and after an instant's pause, veils his face and kneels beside Medora-he rises, gazing distractedly upon her. CONRAD. Yes, thou art nothing!-wherefore am I here?-- The love of youth--the hope of better years--- -Dark tho' the gloom That sav'd and shelter'd it, there grew one flow'r -Silent and dark I go, And go alone!-- (Exit.)" We shall leave our readers to pronounce what praise is due to Mr. Holland for his labours. In our opinion, it was injudicious in him, to undertake to alter what he was unable to improve. He seems indeed more closely to have copied the faults, than to have imitated the beauties of his prototype. For instance, Lord Byron has the following prosaic coupletThus with himself communion held he-till He reach'd the summit of his tower-crown'd hill. Mr. Holland did not suffer a fancied fehcity of this kind to escape him-though not tempted to the commission of it, even by the exigency of rhyme. Thus we have, in the very first scene- Where is our Chief? We bring Lim tidings that Must make our greetings short Immediately afterwards is a reiteration of this happy use of the conjunctive On Juan-on-inform our Chieftain, that For I am as a fragment shivered from We shall dismiss the melo-drama here; -but as we have not, heretofore, had an opportunity of treating of the poem of the Corsair, we will devote a few moments to the consideration of the character of Conrad, as delineated by Lord Byron. We have often objected to his lordship's taste in the selection of his heroes. He has generally endeavoured, and sometimes too successfully, to engage our sympathies in behalf of those who were unworthy of our regard,-not only from the character of the sufferers, but from the nature of their distresses. The miseries on which he has most pathetically expatiated, have, usually, been either the merited rewards of crime, or the inevitable consequences of folly--and not unfre quently the result of a combination of attempt to hold up as objects of generous both flagitiousness and imbecility. To compassion those who have involved themselves, by reprehensible means, in useless disasters-which they have neither the wit to evade, nor the fortitude to bear -is to rob real misfortune of its rights, and to encroach upon the prerogative of virtuous wo. The least we can demand of such, is, that they should summon the manliness to endure that wretchedness, which they have had the audacity to provoke. There is, indeed, a due allowance to be made for human weakness, and it is not requisite that one should be perfectly innocent, nor wholly amiable, to be the subject of the warmest commiseration, when overtaken by calamity. All who have felt the force of temptation, can extenuate the guilt of those who have sunk beneath it; but to discover a predilection for the base, to court occasions of turpitude, to exhibit ignoble daring, to challenge fate, and to set justice at defiance, is to forfeit every claim to either charity or condolence, in the hour of retribution. Yet we can believe that those who have perpetrated the greatest atrocities, have not always been those who were trary, malicious dispositions are commonnaturally most prone to vice. On the conly associated with a mean capacity-and they who are continually imagining evil, are least competent to compass splendid mischiefs. There have, unhappily, been too many great minds that, in the salience of indignation, under the real or fancied injuries of the world, have Leap'd at the stars, and landed in the mud. Over the aberrations of these, we sigh; -regret for the perversion of talents, is mingled with mourning for the exasperation which produced it. We even form some inadequate idea of the dreadful conflict, waged by contending emotions, in the bosoms of honourable men, ere wicked counsels triumphed. We see them buf feting the torrent of adversity, With lusty sinews, throwing it aside, And stemming it with hearts of controversy. We see them, at last, borne down by the unremitting vigour of the stream, till they are forced to the precipice, and make the desperate plunge. Conrad is described as one in whom the milk of human kindness had been curdled by the acerbity of his experience. Disappointment had corroded his better feelings, and oppression and deceit, had driven him to indiscriminate retaliation. The poet pourtrays his heart and temper at the time we are brought acquainted with him-but pursues, "Yet was not Conrad thus by Nature sent To lead the guilty---guilt's worst instrument--His soul was changed, before his deeds had driven Him forth to war with man and forfeit heaven. He hated man too much to feel remorse, dreaded too. Lone, wild, and strange, he stood alike exempt Still was not every sentiment of ten Rafinesque. derness eradicated from the bosom of Conrad. His love for Medora, was ardent, delicate, exclusive. To her he was all gentleness. Before her he stifled every pang that racked his thoughts, and even assumed a cheerfulness foreign to his nature. The intensity of his affection for her, was proportionate to his detestation of the mass of mankind; and such as phlegmatic philanthropists cannot comprehend. It is this single trait-his sensibility to female loveliness, his fidelity, his devotedness, to her whose faith he had received, that redeems him from the. vile; "He left a Corsair's name to other times, Link'd with one virtue, and a thousand crimes." Whether one so steeped in guilt, so imbrued in blood, as Conrad, could retain, such fervor and purity of passion, conjoined with such scrupulousness of respect and deference for the one object of his. devotion, may, indeed, be doubted ;-yet if it were so, it cannot be denied that he is, in one regard, entitled to our reverence and admiration. We do not the less esteem the solitary flower that blows on the barren waste, for the sterility that surrounds it, we probably prize it dearer. than if it bloomed in the gaudy parterre. · E. ART. 3. A Sketch of the Botany of South-Carolina and Georgia. By STEPHEN EL·LIOTT, Esq. &c. &c. Charleston. 1817. 5 Numbers, 8vo. each of 100 pages, with some plates; to be continued. NDER the above unassuming title, that the remainder, which is in forward UNDER the above urned and clabo- ness, will appear in a state of improve rate works, ever published in the United States, on Natural Sciences, is making its appearance: being at the same time the first botanical work, written in our country, in which, original, accurate and complete descriptions of our indigenous plants, are given in our vernacular language and on scientific principles. The modesty of its author can only be equalled by his talents; and the multiplicity of his discoveries and researches, by the happy manner in which he conveys to us the knowledge of their results. We have not often the opportunity to witness such a worthy association; and we feel proud in this instance to have it in our power to delineate some of its features. We, therefore, avail ourselves of it at an early period, and before the completion of the work, since the parts before us afford a fair specimen of the whole; and we entertain no doubt ment rather than otherwise. We had perceived with pleasure some late attempts to convey the botanical knowledge of our plants, in the English language: in Pursh's Flora of North America, and in the translation of the Flora of Louisiana, although the generic and specific characters are given in Latin, the old classical language of Botany, yet the occasional descriptions and observations are in English; while in Bigelow's Florula of Boston, and in the Manual of the Botany of the Northern States, the whole is in that language; but in this last work, short definitions only are given, and inthe former, mere short and often imperfect descriptions. The work before us has not only entire and complete English descriptions, but also generic and specific definitions in both languages: uniting, therefore, the advantages derived from both modes. Local Floras may always be written, with great propriety, in the vernacular language of the country for which they are intended; while general Floras, if written in such languages, ought to have the characters of at least all new genera and species, in both languages, Latin and vernacular, as Mr. Elliott has given them; or have a separate Latin synopsis, after the manner of that for Decandolle's valuable French Flora; although the French language is, next to Latin, a classical one in Europe. These additions are required in order that the works may be read by all the botanists and men of science, of different nations, spreading thereby with rapidity individual discoveries. But if the Latin language may be dispensed with in many instances, it is not so with Latin binarian names, which are the real botanical names, common to all nations of European origin: every work neglecting them must be deemed unclassical and unworthy of notice. mac; such as, Zamia, Chamerops, Dionea, Brunnichia, Eriogonum, Boerhavia, Pistia, Epidendrum, Tillandsia, Thalia, Elytraria, Callicarpa, Stillingia, Bejaria, Gordonia, &c. and many more. Notwithstanding the exuberant luxuriancy of vegetation, in Carolina, which ap peared to invite the attention of European travellers and settlers at an early period, we find that its vegetable treasures have not begun to be collected and investigated, until long after those of the more northern states; which may partly be accounted for, by the later settlement of the country, and the unhealthy state of the climate. Catesby appears to be the first who, nearly a century ago, began to explore that state for natural productions, and be has figured many trees and shrubs, together with some plants, in his great work on the birds and animals of Carolina, &c.; but the imperfect state of natural sciences in his time, render his unmeaning descriptions, obsolete names, and inaccurate figures, of little use at present, The sonthern states are richer in vege- except as historical references. Garden table productions than the northern, since and Bartram visited that country after they approach nearer to the tropical cli- him; but few of their discoveries were mates, where are the seats of luxuriant published, and a long period elapsed be vegetation, and they enjoy a lengthened fore Walter, who had resided a long time period of warm temperature, fit for the in Carolina, published, in London, his support of vegetable life. We find, ac- Flora of that state. His work was in Lacordingly, that they afford a numberless tin, and in the Linnæan style, containing variety of brilliant flowers and conspicu- a vast number of new plants, most of ous plants, which have attracted, at all which were, however, so concisely chaperiods, the notice of botanists and gar- racterised, that they could hardly be disdeners, most of which are peculiar to tinguished from their congenera; tho extheir climate, and unknown to the north- istence of many was even doubted; but ern states, disappearing gradually as they Mr. Elliott has since had the honour to advance toward the pole. There are two confirm nearly all Walter's discoveries. principal nucleus in the botany of the At- Walter had also many new genera which lantic states, one exists in the chain of were fully characterised; but for which the Alleghany mountains, from which the he had not the ability to frame names ! plants springing therefrom, extend on ushering them under the the term of anoeach side to the northward, while many nyma. The consequence has been that are confined to the mountains towards they have been named by other botanists, the south the second is to be traced who have reaped all the honour, since the on the Atlantic shore, and possesses name of the author of a new genus, is features of the most peculiar character. only affixed to it, when it is introduced Its range, wider in the south, becomes into the nomenclature by receiving a bonarrow towards the north, and in the New tanical name, and a good one. Michaux England states, it is confined to the mar- resided likewise, at different times, in Cagin of the sea-shore. An investigation of rolina, and has published his discoveries this subject would perhaps be interesting, in his General Flora of the United States. but might lead us into remote discussions. Many other travellers, such as, Fraser, It may, however, be safely inferred, that Lyon, Enslen, Kin, Nuttall, &c. have out of 3000 species, growing in Carolina visited South-Carolina and Georgia, and and Georgia, only 1000 are also found their discoveries have been partly pubnorth of Maryland, while the remainder lished by Lamark, Sims, and Pursh. This are peculiar to those states, except a very last author having never visited those few common to Virginia and Maryland. states, is very deficient and inaccurate in Many genera are peculiar to the southern the enumeration of southern plants, inregion, and unknown north of the Poto- cluded in his Flora of North America, VOL. 111.-No. II. 13 which renders still more valuable the additions which Mr. Elliott has been able to make to our knowledge of southern botany. These additions, exclusive of the many restored plants of Walter, amount to more than we could have anticipated, and will certainly claim the best attention of all the botanists, not only at home, but in Europe likewise. Mr. Elliott appears to have received considerable aid from many gentlemen residing in South-Carolina and Georgia: we were not aware that there existed so many zealous botanists and amateurs in those states; we hail the intelligence with high gratification; and feel a pleasure in the expectation, that this work is likely to extend the taste for the blooming objects of botanical science; a science which is continually unfolding the secret stores of divine wisdom; which nurses the best sentiments of the heart, and is constantly supplying means to increase our comforts and relieve our wants. Among these generous contributors, we ought to notice particularly Mr. Laconte, one of our ablest botanists, who has visited all the Atlantic states, and whose labours and discoveries will soon be published in a Botanical Synopsis, upon the construction of which he has been engaged for many years: Dr. Baldwin, who has studied with attention the plants of Georgia the late Drs. Brickell and Macbride, whose extensive acquirements have thrown much light on many natural subjects; (this latter gentleman particularly, has communicated many valuable notices on the medical properties of some plants) Lewis de Schweinitz of NorthCarolina, and many other gentlemen of South-Carolina and Georgia, such as Messrs. Herbemont, Jackson, Oemler, Pinkney, Moulins, Bennet, Green, Habersuam, &c. Mr. Elliott had also kept up a regular correspondence with the late R. D. Henry Muhlenberg of Lancaster, and has acquired, by a communication of specimens with him, a perfect knowledge of the results of his unpublished labours, many of which appear now, for the first time, in this work, although they had been enumerated in Muhlenberg's Catalogue, but not described. We have the first five numbers of this work before us, which include, from the class Monandria to the class Decandria, or about one third part of the whole labour, and contain nearly 1000 species, whereof more than 120 are new species, unnoticed by Pursh, and described for the first time in this work. Several new genra are also introduced here for the first time, at which rate the whole work will add about 25 new genera and nearly 400 new species, to the actual knowledge of American botany, rather more than were added by the Flora of Pursh, to which this work is superior in almost every point of view. Among the new species described in these five numbers, 14 had been already named by Muhlenberg in his Catalogue; 8 have been discovered by Dr. Baldwin; 4 by Mr. Laconte ; some by Dr. Macbride and Mr. Lyon; while nearly 100 have been discovered, determined, described and named by Mr. Elliott himself. These new species belong to the following genera: Gratiola 3, N. Sp. Lindernia 1, Micranthemum 1, Utricularia 4, Lycopus 2, Salvia 2, Collinsonia 2, Erianthus 2, Xyris 2, Rhynchospora 4, Cyperus 4, Mariscus 1, Scirpus 9, Dichromena 1, Paspalum 3, Panicum 20, Agrostis 3, Poa 6, Aristida 3, Andropogon 5, Aira 2, Uniola 1, Elensine 1, Houstonia 1, Ludwigia 4, Villarsia 1, Hottonia 1, Phlox 1, Lysimachia 1, Ophiorhiza 1, Sabbattia 2, Viola 1, Asclepias 3, Hydrolea 1, Eryngium 2, Hydrocotyle 2, Ammi 1, Sium 2, Drosera 1, Tillandsia 1, Pontederia 1, Allium 1, Juneus 3, Rumex 1, Tofidda 1, Trillium 2, Rhexia 1, Polygonum 1, Baptisia 1, Cassia 1, Andromeda 1. Besides the above material addition of new species, we find that many genera contain the descriptions of a great number of species, becoming almost complete monographies of said genera; among those we shall mention the following genera: Panicum, which contains 45 species! Gratiola 8, Utricularia 9, Collinsonia 7, Cyperus 24, Scirpus 31, Paspalum 11, Andropogon 12, Poa 19, Ludwigia 15, Phlox 17, Asclepias 18, Trillium 9, Andromeda 16, &c. The new genera will deserve our paticular attention, since they become the types of the most important collective aggregate of individuals, which derive their name and characteristic features from them. They are scattered in the following order. Lachnanthes. Mr. Elliott gives this new name to the Heritiera of Ginelin aud Michaux, or Dilatris of Persoon and Pursh, which he proves to be distinct from the last genus, while the former denomination has now changed its object: the Convitylis of Pursh, or rather Lophiola of Bot. Mag. is quite different from it, by the double number of stamina. Aulaxanthus. Triandria digynia. Flowers in panicles. Calyx 2 valved, 1 flowered; valves equal furrowed. Corolla bivalve, valves nearly equal. A. N. G. |