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century, than even the long and splendid train of triumphs terminated by the crowning glory of Waterloo.

We hope that there are those among our nobility and gentry who will be disposed to mingle their names in the immortality of this measure, and by contributing to the treasures of the National Gallery, establish for themselves claims to the eternal gratitude of the country. The valuable collections of the Duchess of Dorset, the Marquess of Stafford, Earl Grosvenor, Mr. Miles, M. P., Mr. Lambton, M. P., &c. &c. even if added to the National Gallery, would still be as much the property of these distinguished individuals as at present; whilst the advantages resulting to the arts, and the enhancement of the honor and character of the nation would, be incalculable. The effect of such numerous and varied perfections collected in one focus, and their diligent study, with the facilities which we are certain the liberality of the trustees would afford, we flatter ourselves would in a few years enable us to visit the annual exhibitions of our Academy without feeling the blush of shame on our cheeks, that we should be Englishmen, or that such should be the productions of the collective talent of English artists. We must say that (with occasionally an exception) these are the only feelings excited in our bosom; and if we do continue to visit Somerset House, it is more from an habitual compliance with the fashion of the day, than from any lingering hope of having the pleasure to observe the indication of dawning genius, or to record any striking or essential advancement of the arts.

But we are wandering from our path, and in fact have been led into so many reflections on this to us most interesting subject, that we find with regret that we have not left ourselves space for a detailed notice of the eight-and-thirty paintings which grace the National Gallery.

MR. OWEN, OF LANARK.

Mr. OWEN's objections to Christianity, and New View of Society and Education, refuted by a plain statement of facts, with a hint to Mr. Hamilton, of Dalziel, by the Rev. John Aiton. Baldwin, Cradock, and Joy, London; James Robertson and Co. Edinburgh.

Our attention has been directed by the Scottish Newspapers, to a curious Work on Mr. Owen's objections to Christianity and New Views of Society and Education, by the Rev. John Aiton. Much as had formerly been written on this subject, the author has struck out quite a new course, and in doing so he has certainly produced the most able refutation of OWENISM which has yet appeared. While Mr. Owen's former antagonists have confined themselves to abstract reasoning, Mr. Aiton has taken him up upon matters of fact. He has shewn, that Mr. Owen's Works at New Lanark, were better conducted by his predecessor, Mr. Dale, and that other cotton factories in Scotland, are at this hour better managed than that of Mr. Owen. He has also answered Mr. Owen's objections in an able and most triumphant manner. The whole work is written with candour and moderation, and displays talents and attainments of no ordinary kind. The work is dedicated to Mr. Justice Park, Mr. Justice Bailey, and Mr. Wilberforce, M. P.

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A Fiction.

In the delightful village of resided Mr. and Mrs. B-. They had early united their earthly and secular destinies, and had long enjoyed the happiness of conjugal love, attended by that heart-felt felicity which can only be realized and experienced by 'two hearts in union.' Each shared the other's cares and anxieties, and endeavoured to extract a gem from every thorn with which their path had been surrounded; and they unitedly culled all the sweets of life that are to be gathered, while we pass through the present state of existence. And what is comparable to this reciprocal happinesswhat can compensate the want of this union? There exists such a mutual dependence between the sexes, so much in the one to balance the deficiencies of the other; so much in the female of love, of softness, and all indescribable susceptibilities, to soften, to melt, and to moderate the austerity and moroseness of the man. It is to be regretted that this obvious fact should be doubted by too many of the lords of the creation:' they certainly do not recollect the original design of the Creator, that there should ever exist a close union and a marked dependence upon each other. Beautifully and justly has a living poet said

"The world was sad, the garden was a wild;

And man the hermit sigh'd till woman smil'd."

Maria, an only daughter, was the fruit of the union of Mr. and Mrs. B. In this young lady were centered their highest hopes and their future felicity. Fostered and educated under their guardianship-caressed and beloved, as some precious boon of Providence,-they viewed her as a source

of perpetual pleasure, moderated (as indeed it was) by the most tender care, and by continued anxieties. She had attained her nineteenth year; and her parents seemed to recognise in her character, a concentration of loveliness, of amiability, adorned by great mental acquirements. Her personal attractions were not less interesting. Her form was peculiarly captivating; rather higher than the middle stature, possessing all the symmetry of her sex. Her eye beamed with animation and beauty; her features were at once enthusiastic and impressive; in whatever sphere she moved, in whatever company she appeared, her influence and example were felt and acknowledged. What eye could be insensible to such charms? What feelings could withstand the captivations of such a lovely form? What heart, what sensibility, could resist such winning sweetness, such innocent loveliness?

Maria accompanied her mother to a social fete; and here she first beheld the youth who was to create for her an ideal world of bliss. On this visit, she felt herself awakened to a disposition of sensibility, which she had thought of before, but had never felt. Here, adorned by all the native grace of early manhood, was Frederick H-; he sparkled at the dance-he cheered by his eloquence the moments of pleasure-his eye caught that of Maria, and each felt the force of personal attractions. They spoke not now of love; but the fiery glances of their eyes, the mutual expression of delight, the emanations of tenderness that cannot be described, all united simultaneously to inflame their affections, which obviously received vigour from the cordiality of the recipients. Love by degrees seized their tender hearts, and held both in delightful captivity.

As Maria was the idol of the neighbourhood, the beauty and ornament of her species, Frederick also was the respectable representative of the pristine excellence of his progenitors; as her mind embodied the brilliant, the contemplative, and the interesting-so the mental faculties of Frederick were fully matured and intelligent. If her disposition was calm and gentle, he also possessed the dignity and mildness of one, who had brought all the unhallowed, unruly passions of his bosom under the control of reason and principle.

With these similarities and views, they became more and more devotedly attached to each other. They frequently traversed the adjacent fields in delightful communion and intercourse. In Frederick's company, and when hanging upon his arm, Maria beheld (more attentively than ever) the rich beauty of nature; she perceived a charm in every breeze, a richness in every flower, a pleasure unutterable in every description that her Frederick gave. An ancient oak now bears the characters "MARIA," graved there by a hand dearly associated with her. Every sentiment of delight and love was awakened when she involuntarily glanced at his countenance, and a similar sentiment and feeling arose in the mind of Frederick.

Frederick's father was a merchant-shrewd, speculative, and active. Gold was his idol; and to that shrine he fervently bowed. He had considerable property in Holland; and it was with the greatest difficulty, that about six months after the commencement of Frederick's attachment to Maria, Mr. H. prevailed on him to leave his native country, and to pass over to the continent, to form arrrangements, and superintend his foreign connections.

On the 6th of July, Frederick was to leave England; it had been arranged that the day before his departure should be spent with Maria. It

was his earnest wish to offer his hand, his heart, his all for her acceptance, and to gain a confirmation of his wishes; for like all lovers, he was suspicious and jealous. A rival he thought might appear; an antagonist might influence-it was necessary, he thought, permanently to secure, by some true, although nominal signature, the object of his affections.

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The 5th of July was a memorable day. The sun diffused its radiance all around; the sky was serene, the atmosphere pure and exhilarating; the beauties of nature seemed to have attained their climax; and every thing was lovely and delightful. Frederick, revolving in his mind anticipated pleasure, had reached the village of on his horse, before he imagined he had proceeded half-way. He soon recognised the smiles of his Maria, who was at the window, expecting his arrival; when the greeting kiss from her and her mother cordially welcomed him into the house.

Both Frederick and Maria had anticipated this day with the most pleasing associations, with feelings of delight, as well as tremulous anxiety; the former sensation arising from the felicity of mutual endearments, and the latter from the idea of an approaching separation. Their walks through the woods and the parks were therefore attended at the same time with an appearance of happy realization, and with a sensitive feeling towards the future. They wisely, however, allowed the present enjoyment to preponderate, and, as far as possible, let the future be disregarded. The season, too, the scene, and the air, were all favourable to tenderness and sentiment. Never had Frederick seen Maria so lovely, so attractive. Love appeared the very essence and soul of her beauty; a genuine emotion emanating from every look, from every smile, and diffusing a sort of spiritual loveliness. around her form.

When pleasure sparkles in the cup of youth,
And the gay hours on downy wings advance;
Oh! then 'tis sweet to hear the lip of truth
Breath the soft vows of love; sweet to entrance
The raptur'd soul by intermingled glance
Of mutual bliss; sweet amid roseate bowers,
Led by the hand of love, to weave the dance,
Or unmolested crop life's fairy flowers,

Or bask in joy's bright sun, thro' calm unclouded hours.

"Ah, my love!" (uttered Frederick, perceiving a sigh heave from her bosom,) "do not doubt my return to complete our happiness, by an indissoluble union at the altar! He who has the winds and the waves under his control, will surely vouchsafe my speedy retrogression. Doubt not, my dear: allow me again to avow that nothing but the entire acknowledgement of your affections as my own, will comfort, will sustain me in my absence, and nothing but the assurance that I am the lord of your heart will

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