States. But I cannot say that honest The only remaining objection which democrats are altogether to be laughed need be mentioned has been very at, for rightly estimating the effects of operative with the vulgar, for whom a literature exclusively foreign, and alone it could have been intended. It generally adverse to the manners and is said that England, however nearly institutions of a people whose strength allied, is still a foreign country ; that is to “dwell alone, and not to be her writers write for their own countrynumbered among the nations."

men; that, so far as they are conIf you are meditating an article for cerned, America is a mere accident; Maga on American copyright, you and that consequently, right_has may employ my information for the nothing to do with the case. It is purpose; but it will not be fair to conceded that the comity of nations leave out of view the most effi- may furnish grounds for a fair concient objections which are urged by sideration of what is policy; but it is anti-copyright politicians, two of denied that moral obligation invests which I have not as yet mentioned. the British author with any claim to It is said to be against American in- literary property in America. I must terests to grant copyright, because the let you know how handsomely the American value of British copyrights answer has been put by Americans will far exceed the British value of themselves. The Boston reviewers American copyrights. Whether this say,*-" It is true we are distinct be true or not, the argument is worth nations—scarcely more so, however, nothing, unless it be followed by the than the different Italian states. We conclusion — therefore it is expedient have, like them, a community of to steal. Yet, perhaps, if the experi- language, and although an ocean rolls ment were tried, the assertion would between us, the improvements in not prove to be true. The most navigation have brought us nearer to valuable American copyrights are each other, for all practical purposes, those of children's schoolbooks, in than is the case with some of the which extraordinary ingenuity has nations of Italy. Yet such is the been shown, and which are generally indifference of our government to the such as, with small emendations, interests of a national literature, that would become very popular in Eng- our authors are still open to the land. But however it may be at depredations of foreign pirates ; and present — since the present standard what is not less disgraceful, the British literature of England can never be author, from whose stores of wisdom copyrighted, who can doubt that, and wit we are nourished, is turned with a more liberal system, the land over, in like manner, to the tender of Washington Irving would breed mercies of our gentlemen of trade, such popular authors, as would soon for their own exclusive benefit, and very nearly equalize the exchanges, with perfect indifference to his equiwhile America would still be im- table claims." The New York Remensely the gainer in the increase of view * strongly reprobates the same her celebrated men, commanding no outrages, especially between two longer a merely provincial reputation, nations descended from a common but taking rank in the broad world, stock, speaking the same language, and ensuring foreign rewards, with whose political and civil institutions, universal renown. At all events though differing in form, are essentially honesty is always policy. Rising the same in their liberal spirit and free to the great standard of right, this principles-between two nations who country would soon find her reward ; are ONE PEOPLE.” This is a sentiment if but in that wealth of self-respect which even you, my dear Tory, will which comes only with a conscience not be unwilling to reciprocate; and void of offence, and which no country I'll tell you when I felt its truth with can possess that is not nationally great peculiar force. I was walking in a and generous,

or at least honest quiet part of this city the other day, enough to pay for what it needs, and when I saw at a little distance & appropriates, and enjoys.

* Speech on Conciliation with America.

EVENINGS AT SEA.-NO. II.

Our next narrator was a retired of these recollections, he would usually officer of the army, who had become hold forth with such an energy of a settler in South America, after many prosiness, that we were fain to submit years unprofitable service at home with as good a grace as possible, and abroad. He had rapidly advanced where there was no escape, and enin worldly wealth in the country of deavour to interest ourselves in his adoption, but memory seemed the adventures he had met with, and ever to do him a kindness, when it the fates and fortunes of the companbore him back to the days when he ions of his youth. The story I give first entered on life's journey ; his here, was one he told us of a young sword, and a hopeful heart, his sole officer, who had served in the regipossessions. When the subjects of ment with him. our discourse chanced to awaken any

HENRY MEYNELL.

In the Gazette, dated" War Office, altogether such a person as one rarely 14th June, 1828," was contained the sees, either in a regiment, or elsefollowing announcement:-“ Henry where. Wardlaw Meynell, gentleman, to be As the " who is he?” is always a ensign"—the regiment does not mat- most important point of English introter, but its mess-room was honoured duction, and I would fain hope that by the presence of the above-named you may take some interest in this military aspirant one day, about two person as we proceed, you should be months after the date of his commis- told, that he is the second son of the sion. He was introduced to his bro- only brother of a bachelor squire of ther officers, examined by them from very large estate in Yorkshire ; his head to foot, shown into a bare uncom- father, a profligate and spendthrift fortable garret—of which he was in- living at Boulogne, while he and his stalled proprietor, allotted a tough old brother are adopted by the uncle. grenadier as his valet-de-chambre, His poor broken-hearted mother has and then left to his own devices till slept sweetly for many years near the dinner-time.

village church where she was wed. While the iron-fingered veteran

Eton received him when very young; was extracting the smart new uniform he there lost his Yorkshire manners, from the travelling chest, and arranging learnt to row and swim, and acquired it on the oak table, under the direct- a certain precocious knowledge of ing eye of his master, the officers in the world, and proficiency in tying a the mess-room were forming their white neckcloth. The labours of the opinions of the appearance of the new- classics and science were alike discomer, with the balmy assistance, in tasteful to him ; study of any kind he this mental effort, of strong military abhorred; yet so acquisitive was his cigars. His age was nearly twenty- intellect, retentive his memory, and one years, and he looked perhaps powerful his ability, that when he left older. His figure was tall, slight, and Eton at eighteen, few youths presented graceful, more formed than is usual in a more showy surface of information. early youth, and bespeaking strength He had had one or two narrow esand activity. His face was almost capes from expulsion for offences, in beautiful in feature and form when which the vices of maturer years were silent, but as he spoke, a certain thin- mixed up with boyish turbulence; but ness of the lips betrayed itself, and a certain element of depth and causomewhat marred its singular attrac- tion, even in these outbreaks, saved tiveness. Dark brown hair, high clear him from incurring their usual penalforehead, teeth perfect in regularity ties. He was admirable in all active and whiteness, oval outline, head and exercises, had a magnificent voice, and neck shapely, and well set on—in short singular taste and talent for music and VOL. LXII.-NO. CCCLXXXV.

2N

painting. As a social companion, he sula, but since then a severe course was brilliant when he thought fit to of Jamaica and Demerara had exexert himself; at other times he was cluded from it all wealthy and aristosilent and rather thoughtful, perhaps cratic elements; and the tablets it left too thoughtful for his years. Though behind in the West Indies were only he always lived with the most dis- raised to the memory of Smiths and sipated and uproarious set, in his Joneses, whose respective vacancies vices there was a degree of refine- had since been filled up with Joneses ment, less of the brute, more of the and Smiths. In those days the rotadevil; he did not err from impulse, tion system had not been yet adopted, but when opportunity presented it and the young gentlemen in “ crack self, he considered whether the regiments,” only knew of yellow pleasure were worth the sinning, and fevers and land-crabs, through reading if he thought it was, he sinned. He of them in books; and even through was more admired than liked among that channel, it would, perhaps, be his young companions; and those in unsafe to assert that they were much authority over him were quite uncer- informed on these subjects, or indeed tain whether he would turn out a hero on any other. or a villain.

At the head of the mess-table sat a From Eton he went to Oxford, gray-headed captain, who had been there took to dissipation and extrava- frost-bitten in Canada, wounded in the gance, neglected all rules and applica- Peninsula, and saved by an iron contion, wore out the patience of the stitution from the regimental doctor authorities, and the liberality of his and yellow fever on Brimstone Hill, uncle, and, after about a year's trial, St Kitts; and, despite his varied advenwas withdrawn from the University tures and ailments, had contrived to to save him from retiring by compul- accumulate an immense rotundity in sion. He was then sent to travel his person, and quantity and vividfor a year under the prudent care of ness of colour in his countenance. At his elder brother. It will be unne- the foot, was a tall young gentleman, cessary to track them through their with high cheekbones and a Celtic wanderings; suffice it to say, that nose, who had lately joined from Tipthey did what young gentlemen tra- perary. The colonel sat in the centre velling usually do, and visited the of one side of the table, stiff in attiplaces that every body visits, but with tude, sententious in discourse, invulthis difference, with regard to Henry nerable in vanity; a fierce-looking Meynell, that he acquired the princi- navy captain, and the meek mayor of pal European languages as he went the town, supported him to the right along, and travelled with his eyes and left. A few diners out, fathers open; what was gained with great of families, and men who played a labour by others seemed to be as a good game of billiards, and preferred gift to him. He had also begun to the society of ensigns, were the reconsider that he might at last provoke mainder of the guests; the other genhis uncle too much, and injure his tlemen in red were variations on the prospects; so that he conducted him- fat captain and the Tipperary lieuteself with caution and tolerable steadi- nant. ness during his time of travel. To The mess-room was long and narfinish this apparent reformation, a row, with a profusion of small wincommission was obtained for him in dows on both sides, causing the light an infantry regiment under a marti- to fall on every one's face. There net colonel, and a moderate allowance were two doors at each end of the provided for his support. Having room, and one at the side, which last, given this sketch of his appearance, as it led nowhere, and made a draught family, character, and antecedents, he like a blow-pipe, had been lately is now fairly entitled to take his seat stopped up with a different coloured at the.mess-table.

plaster from the rest of the wall. But His corps was what the young indeed there was such a curious warriors of the present day, call variety of draughts, that one was "rather slow ," it had, indeed, been scarcely missed;

every door and winvery much distinguished in the Penin- dow in the room sent in its current of