author of the "Vicar of Wakefield." It to render his country's laws, in reference to is certain that Washington Irving has culti- literature, more accordant with the spirit of vated style with as much care as did the the great republic of letters. There are essayists of the "Spectator" and "Tat-writers in America who aspirate for the ler; "but at the same time he has culti-nationality" of American literature, and vated those sentiments upon which style is seem as though they desired the invention essentially dependent. Style is abstractly of a new language, in order to destroy the the peculiar manner in which a writer de- popular vehicle by which their country's velopes his conception through the medium mind becomes conventionalized according to of language; but at the same time it pos- the model of British thought. Washington sesses attributes independent of words. Irving knows that so long as we speak the Words themselves are insufficient to cha- common language of Milton and Scott, and racterize the thoughts of a writer, and must so long as we can claim a common ancestry, possess some peculiarity of form and com- so long will there be community of literabination dictated by the writer's feelings, ture, which is the revelation of thought. and, when written, representative of those The primitive character of a great portion feelings, before they can be designated as a of the American continent will for a long peculiar style. Some styles are acquired, time preserve the primitive integrity of the others are spontaneous; the latter belongs red men, and support those peculiarities in to what is termed genius, and of that cha- the frontier whites which now distinguish racter is Washington Irving's. It was dic- them. These circumstances of themselves tated by his heart, modified by his taste, will sufficiently nationalize the literature and not only became the vehicle of his which seeks to illustrate frontier life, and conceptions, but of his sentiments also. the habits of the nation generally, in exWe know of no living author who resembles pression and thought, cannot fail to chaWashington Irving so much as Dickens in racterize the writers; but Washington sly humor and genial sympathies, and of no Irving knows, and many of the best writers dead one with whose modes of feeling, in America also know, that in political thought, and expression his so coincide as institutions, predilections, and speech, we with those of Sterne. No man in America are one-we do not differ in essence but in has sought so earnestly to create a friendly form-our authors do not write exclusively feeling with Great Britain as Washington for our own countrymen, although they Irving, and as an individual, perhaps no write against the spirit of literary piratage one has so eminently conduced to effect so in the United States-we are one people, patriotic and so noble a purpose. Although although two nations-and therefore the devotedly attached to his country, and noble author of " Bracebridge Hall "strives proud of his country's institutions, he was to perfect a union in thought by accelerating not wedded to the follies or crimes of his a just legislation in fact. We do not nation, nor had he any sympathy for the know whether most to admire the man, the demagogueism that was not only political but literary.

essayist, or the patriot; in all respects he stands out as a great moral, intellectual, The contents of his "Sketch-Book" had and political example, and yet he scarcely appeared in an American periodical, but it knows the sound of his own modest voice was left to the author to reap the advantage in literary coteries or in political clubs. arising from a re-publication of that popular work in this country, whose writers had VALUE OF MINERAL PROPERTY.-Mineral probeen less honorably and ceremoniously perty on the hills, which, when the Monmouthshire used by the "trade " of the United States. Canal and its tramroads were constructed, was only British booksellers were gentlemen as well worth 5s. an acre surface rent, soon increased in as British authors. They repudiated trans- The area of the Monmouthshire coalfield exceeds value to £1,500 an acre, or more, underground. atlantic piratage, they disclaimed all sym- 89,000 acres, and the various seams of coal that can pathy with it in their own land; and seeing be profitably worked are said to average fifty feet, and feeling this principle as an author, which produce a gross yield per acre of nearly Washington Irving sought to inoculate his 73,000 tons. The total quantity now worked annually is estimated at about 2,200,000 tons; at countrymen with it as a patriot. Superior which rate there is a sufficient supply left for the to the despicable subterfuge that would next 1,500 years. The net quantity available for sustain the rejection of an international export has been estimated at about 3,000,000,000 tons! Great Britain now annually consumes from copyright law upon the plea of British all her collieries about 21 million tons.-Cliffe's enmity to republican institutions, he sought Book of South Wales, second edition.

From Chambers Edinburgh Journal. THE DEATH OF MURAT.

the advanced guard; the main body will come up to us presently."

In the next instant the prediction of the well-practised sailor was fulfilled. Before her head could be put to wind, the boat shipped a sea which half filled her.

66

Bale away, bale away; now is the time when your majesty can assist us."

Blancard, Langlade, and Murat, instantly set about the task. A more miserable group than the four persons in the boat presented could not be imagined. During three hours, they continued with little advantage, their arduous labor; and though the wind rather died away at daybreak, the sea continued rough and boisterous. Hunger also began to add its horrors to the scene. The provisions were entirely spoilt by salt water; the wine alone remained intact. This they eagerly swallowed out of the bottle. after one another. Langlade had fortunately some chocolate cakes in his pocket; Murat divided these into equal shares, and insisted on his companions taking their portions. They now steered for Corsica, but with little hopes of being able to reach it.

Alarmed lest a sudden squall should dismast them, they only ventured to set the jib during the day; and as night again set in, accompanied by torrents of rain, they found they had only got over about thirty miles. Murat, now fairly knocked up, threw himself on one of the benches and fell fast asleep, while the three intrepid sailors kept alternate watch during his slumbers, unwilling to confess even to each other their conviction that the frail boat must founder if no assistance arrived within four-and-twenty hours.

sal; then turning to one of his officers, he gave an order, which Donadieu could not overhear; but probably guessing his intentions from his gestures, he desired Langlade and Blancard to keep the boat off. This they did; which, being perfectly incomprehensible to Murat, he petulantly exclaimed, What are you about? What are you doing? Don't you see they are coming up to us?"

"Yes, I see it plainly enough," replied Donadieu. Quick, quick, Langlade, Blancard! Yes, she's coming with a vengeance! That's it; steady now ;" and he suddenly seized the tiller and put it down. The boat spun round in a new direction. A wave carried her off just as the brig, suddenly tacking, drove past her within a few yards of her stern.

"Traitor!" furiously called out the king, now perceiving the wicked intention of the captain; "receive your reward;" and would have fired at him, but the powder having become wet during the night, the pistol refused to go off.

"The rascal has taken us for pirates, and would have run us down," said Donadieu. "Alas! what is to be done?" The water now began to gain upon them very fast; the last exertion had still more opened the planks of the unfortunate bark; and during the next ten hours, the crew were forced to keep baling out with their hats.

Towards evening another sail was descried. Every stitch of canvas was set, and the little boat made for her. It now became a matter of time. The water was pouring in each moment with increased power. Whether they could reach the As day slowly broke, Donadieu perceived vessel before the frail bark foundered, bea vessel within a few miles, and in his de- came now an object of great doubt. Donlight cried out with such energy, that the adieu recognised in the felucca they were ex-king of Naples started up from his slum- approaching a post-office packet plying bebers. The helm was instantly put down; tween Toulon and Bastia. Langlade being every sail was set; and the boat quickly acquainted with the commander, instantly bore up for the stranger, who evidently was hailed him; and though the distance was a small merchant brig en route from Corsica far beyond the ordinary reach of the human to Toulon. Langlade, in the meantime, voice, yet impelled by fear of instant affixing the king's cloak to the end of a boat death, his hail was so shrill as to be clearly hook, kept waving it, in order to attract the heard on board the packet. The water was notice of the people on board the brig. In now rising fast; the king was already up to this he succeeded; and in less than half an his knees; the boat began to roll about unhour the two vessels lay within fifty yards of able to advance. She had become watereach other. The captain appeared on the logged, when two or three strong cords deck. Murat hailed him, and offered him were thrown from the vessel. One of these a considerable sum if he would receive him-fortunately fell in the little craft; the king self and his three companions on board, and caught hold of it, and was dragged into the convey them to Corsica. The commander packet; Blancard and Langlade followed seemed to listen attentively to the propo-his example: Donadieu remained the last;

VOL. XV. No. III.

27

as he snatched the rope thrown to him, and [ he feared to trust the native troops in an
rose up, the wretched boat gave one lurch, attack on a sovereign once so popular.
and disappeared for ever! Five minutes
later, and these four men must have foun-
dered with her.

cocked hat, richly embroidered, the cockade | where a bridge now exists bearing his name. being affixed to it by a knot of nine splen- Seeing Trenta Capelli advance towards him, did brilliants. In his right hand he bore he instantly cried, "Will you exchange his own ensign. The clock of Pizzo struck your captain's epaulettes for those of a genten as he disembarked. eral officer? If so, cry Long live Joachim! and follow me with your brave band to Monteleoni."

"Sire," quickly replied the other, "we are the faithful subjects of King Ferdinand. We come to seize, not to accompany you. Surrender yourself, therefore, and prevent an unnecessary effusion of blood."

Murat procceded straight to the town, which was only about a hundred yards off. Here he found, it being Sunday, the whole population assembled in the market-place. No one recognized him. They stood in mute astonishment, gazing at the brilliant uniforms that approached them. The exking, however espied an old sergeant whom At this moment a pistol was discharged he remembered as having served in his guard by the opposite party, and seeing no hope at Naples. He walked straight up to him, of conciliation, General Franceschetti orand placing his hand on his shoulder, de- dered his men to fire. In an instant the manded, "Travalla, do you know me?" discharge was returned, and the combat beReceiving no reply, he added, "I am Joa- gan, not, however, with the slightest chance chim Murat! I am your king! Be yours the of success on the side of the exiled king, honor of first shouting Long live Joachim!" who could only offer about twenty-five men The king's suite instantly took up the cry, to oppose five hundred. Presently several and shouted it loudly forth. But the Cala- fell on both sides, and the peasants, headed brese, amongst whom there seemed a grow-by Trenta Capelli, pressed on. To cut ing feeling of discontent, remained perfectly mute. The king seeing this foretold an approaching conflict, and turning again to Travalla, said, "Well, then, if you won't cry long life to me, at least find me a horse, and I will instantly make you a Captain." Travalla immediately turned away. He entered his cottage, and did not appear again that day.

Every moment fresh crowds of peasants poured in; but not a single demonstration of sympathy could Murat elicit from them. A bold push now could alone save him. "On, on to Monteleoni!" cried he; and placing himself at the head of his little band, he rushed towards the road which leads to that town. The people drew aside to allow him to pass.

through this mass was impossible, while in the rear of the little body retreat was rendered utterly impracticable by a precipice, of about thirty-five feet. Murat did not hesitate; he threw himself down this acclivity, and fortunately falling on the sand beneath, arose unhurt, and plunged into a little wood which skirted the shore. General Franceschetti, and his aid-de-camp. Campana were equally fortunate.

The instant the trio emerged from the cover of the trees, they were saluted by a volley from above, but happily without effect. On reaching the shore, they found that the boat which had brought them to land had again put to sea, and had rejoined the three vessels, which, far from coming to his aid, had set every sail, and were making Scarcely, however, had he left the market-off as rapidly as possible. The Maltese place, than the mob began to recover from Barbara had repaid the monarch's threat by their stupor; and a young man named now betraying him. He carried off with George Pellegrino suddenly appeared arm-him not only all the fortune of the exiled ed with a musket, and began shouting, king, but in thus abandoning him, crushed "To arms, to arms!" The crowd echoed his last hope. the cry; and in another moment every one A fisherman's bark was lying high and sought his dwelling, and armed himself as dry on the land: it became Murat's only best he could. On the arrival of Captain chance of escape. If they could only get it Trenta Capelli of the gendarmerie of Cos- afloat, they might yet be saved, for none enza, who happened to be in Pizzo, and dared to leap the precipice in pursuit, and whom Pellegrino had gone in search of, he the regular descent was some distance found two hundred persons in the market-round. The three fugitives used their square, bearing different weapons, who, on every exertion to push the boat into the his placing himself at their head, immedi- water. The agony of despair gave them ately gave chase to their ex-king. increased strength, and they had nearly Murat, seeing them coming, ordered a succeeded, when a sudden shout caused halt, and prepared to meet them at a spot them to look round. The populace headed