the Allied Powers, in 1814, in vindication of her own rights and those of her son, to the dutchy of Parma, Placentia, and Guestalla. They are brief and not uninteresting, though by no means deeply tragical. A characteristic sentence occurs in the early part of the narrative. - For some time we were obliged to have recourse to the nobility, who supplied us with chandeliers, plate, and other articles equally indispensible. This was the first time that the daughter of the king of Spain, accustomed to be served in gold and silver, saw herself obliged to eat off porcelain.' p. 309. Art. VIII. Poetical Sketches: the Profession; the Broken Heart, &c. with Stanzas for Music, and other Poems. By Alaric A. Watts. f.cap 8vo. pp. 148. Price 6s. London. 1823. A CURIOUS circumstance is connected with one of the poems in this elegant little volume. On its first appearance, it was transcribed into several of our daily, weekly, and monthly journals, as the undoubted production of Lord Byron, although the Author had, it seems, inserted it in the Edinburgh Magazine with his name. The poem is as follows. TO OCTAVIA. On flagging wing, regardless by:- I gazed upon thy bright blue eye, The hopes, I most relied on, thwarted, With many a shade since last we parted : That dimples upon childhood's cheek, The dictates of the bosom break; a And strange to every softer feeling, Cold, and unmoved—without revealing Sweet bud of Beauty! Mid the thrill That can the breast of man invade, But I have dwelt on each dear form Till woe, awhile, gave place to gladness, 'O! might the fondest prayers prevail For blessings on thy future years! Or innocence, like thine, avail To save thee from affliction's tears! Thy guilelessness of soul revealing Beam ever thus, as beauteously, Undimmed-save by those gems of feelingThose soft, luxurious drops which flow, In pity, for another's woe. • But vain the thought!-It may not be !→→→ Could prayers avert misfortune's blight, Or hearts from sinful passion free Here hope for unalloyed delight, Then, those who guard thine opening bloom Then since upon this earth, joy's beams That steal upon the mourner's slumber,— Sweet one! I'll wish thee strength to bear The ills that Heaven may bid thee share; And when thine infancy hath fled And Time with woman's zone hath bound thee, If, in the path thou 'rt doomed to tread, The thorns of sorrow lurk, and wound thee, Be thine that exquisite relief Which blossoms 'mid the springs of grief! And like the many-tinted Bow, Attend, and soothe thee on thy way, Farewell!-Perchance a long farewell!! Woes, Hope may vainly strive to quell,- So there be bliss for thee and THINE!? pp. 25-29. We think that there are poems of Lord Byron's, which the Author of these stanzas may justly be deemed, capable of having composed; but it does not strike us that these are quite such as his Lordship would have written. Mr. Watts more frequently reminds his readers of Moore or Barry Cornwall. There is however, more of heart, though less of brilliancy in his lyrical poems, than in those of the former; while he displays more purity of taste and of sentiment, if less originality than the latter. He is evidently a warm admirer of our living bards, and has perhaps formed his taste too much upon these imperfect models. We would recommend him to dip nearer the fountain-head. The stanzas on the death of a nephew, might have been written, and might have assumed the present form, although Leigh Hunt had never addressed his exquisite stanzas to his child; yet, the general resemblance is almost too strong to be accidental. The Writer, however, stands quite clear of plagiarism, and the poem is of so interesting a character, that we are sure we cannot say any thing in favour of Mr. Watts's volume, that shall more powerfully recommend it to our readers, than the insertion of these stanzas. • TO THE MEMORY OF WILLIAM POWER WATTS. Thy sparkling glance, and hasty run, • Where are they now?-And where, oh wherc, The blooming cheek, so fresh and fair, • What hast thou 'scaped?-A thorny scene, Where many a blast of anguish keen Or, sickening chills of hope deferred, • What hast thou 'scaped?-Life's weltering sea, Whilst yet its gliding waves were free And who could calmly think of this, 'I culled from home's beloved bowers, The brightest-hued, most fragrant flowers That, drooping, seemed to weep; And, now, I add this lowlier spell ;— SWEETS TO THE PASSING SWEET! FAREWELL!' pp. 79-82. We must make room for the following beautiful sonnet. THE FIRST BORN. 'Never did music sink into my soul So silver sweet,' as when thy first weak wail Of hopes and fears, of gladness and of gloom, Suon scape the storm and be as blest as I am now!' p. 97. A limited edition of these poems was first printed for private circulation ; and it was the favourable notice which they attracted, that encouraged the Author to give them to the public. We are glad to perceive that a third edition is already announced, so that the public seem to have been, in this instance, before-band with us. But we could not pass over a volume of such modest pretensions, displaying at the same time so much genuine poetical feeling, sensibility, and refinement. Art. IX. Time's Telescope for 1824; or a complete Guide to the Al. manack: containing an Explanation of Saints' Days and Holidays; with Illustrations of British History and Antiquities, &c. Astronomical Occurrences in every Month, and the Naturalist's Diary. To which are prefixed Outlines of Historical and Physical Geography; and an introductory Poem on Flowers. By Ber nard Barton. 12mo. pp. 330. Price 9s. London. 1824. WE have more than once noticed the former volumes of this very agreeable miscellany, and we must do the ingenious Editor the justice to report, that his eleventh volume is by no means inferior in point of merit or variety to its predecessors. The work is, indeed, kept up with great spirit, and no pains have been spared to render it as useful as it is entertaining. Among the novelties in the present volume are, the Outlines of Geography contributed by Dr. Myers of Blackheath, to whom, it appears, that the public are also indebted for the astronomical portion of the work; the introductory poem by Bernard Barton; the Methods of Treatment' recommended by the Royal Humane Society-these have been attached, at the Society's expense, to the principal Annual pocket-books, and ought to be in every one's possession; a portrait of Captain Parry, and two woodcut representations of Esquimaux costume ; and the usual poetical gleanings from contemporary and anonymous writers. It indicates a striking improvement in public taste, that many of the most elegant of these poetical pieces, are gathered from |