may be regarded as a key to his design throughout: "If I were writing a romance or a novel, I could make my principal character suit the tastes of those who admire perfect heroes; but I am endeavouring to write the genuine life, and describe the motives, springs of action, and reflections of a real human being-a mixture of good and evil. I do not set up to teach as a schoolmaster, but to tell the truth, and develope causes and effects, as fairly as my philosophy can appreciate them, so as to operate in the way of example. I am neither concealing nor apologizing for what may be wrong, nor boasting of better qualities and laudable deeds."

Once for all, let us, as among the many critics to whom Mr. Jerdan will now be subjected, speak of him in terms rather of affection than of severitycertainly of regard, and not of condemnation; but let us not incur the hazard of admitting all the evils he pictures as environing the career of a man of letters, because one of the most eminent of the professors of literature has been (the fact is notorious enough) unprosperous during the later years of his arduous and useful labours. Mr. Jerdan oc cupies many pages of this volume to show that "literature is neither appreciated, encouraged, nor honoured as it ought to be; and that its professors (if dependent altogether upon it) are liable to worse usage and more misfortune than any other intellectual class in our social scheme." While we admit the force of the first part of this position, we deny its truth as regards the second. Mr. Jerdan is very intimately acquainted with all the intellectual classes, and surely he ought to know how few, if any, are prosperous, compared with the many who have to endure obscurity-it may be poverty -it may be want. In this country, it is unquestionable that wealth is everything: rich and worthless men are appreciated, encouraged, and honoured; a railway speculator, being successful, shall have his testimonial of £20,000, while the author of a hundred good and useful books shall live neglected, and die deserted. But what is true of literature is true of science, and especially true of art. Cases like that of the "inventor of gas," so to speak, are numerous enough; and surely experience supplies us with many examples of painters and sculptors perishing for lack of food! Mr. Jerdan, indeed, gives us a list of artists who are living or have died comparatively rich; and he places such list in contrast with that of as many men of letters who are living or have died poor. But the list is not a correct one. Of artists, he names Eastlake, Uwins, Webster, Maclise, Boxall, and Roberts. Sure we are that neither of these accomplished painters, heads of their profession, can do more than make "the two ends meet," while maintaining in society a position which they are bound to uphold. But what shall we say of such men as and and sculptors; of and and historic painters (the blanks may be very readily filled up); men who are the admired of the world, but who rarely have "commissions," and whose annual incomes seldom exceed that of stone-masons and painters and glaziers. Moreover, be it remembered, pensions are enjoyed by many men of letters: there is not the name of a single artist on the list.

Is the Dublin University Magazine, a story has been commenced by "THE O'HARA FAMILY." In a brief introduction, it is stated that the tales, which

became exceedingly popular some twenty years ago, and which still retain their hold on public favour, were the joint productions of two brothers, the younger of whom, JOHN BANIM, a man of letters by profession, enjoyed all the fame of the authorship, the elder brother having, as it now appears, much of the toil. Mr. MICHAEL BANIM was, and perhaps is, in trade in Kilkenny, the native city of both. Mr. John Banim, a most industrious and most meritorious labourer in the fields of literature, suffered terribly from ill-health. During the latter years of his life, he was able to do very little, and a pension was accorded to him, which, after his death, was, in part, continued to his daughter, since dead, and subsequently to his wife. Banim was a man of veritable genius: his first effort was a joint production, the tragedy of "Damon and Pythias," with Mr. Shiel, whose share of the work was, we imagine, small. He toiled hardly and earnestly, and in the midst of serious difficulties, in London; and at length, worn out, of a surety, with overwork, he returned to his native home, to die, in the prime of life-that is to say, in its prime as regards the number of his years. We rejoice to find that his brother is resuming the pen he had so long laid aside. The story referred -Clough Fiorn; or, the Stone of Destinybegins well, with vigour and pathos: we expect to find in it another valuable contribution to the rich store of Irish works of fiction.

to

WE believe there never was a more literary family than the Stricklands-inhabiting an old mansion in Suffolk, and having abundant leisure, and active, as well as refined, minds. These ladies commenced their career as authors, when "the annuals" were in bud, and some of Miss Strickland's first historic efforts are to be found in the pages of The Souvenir and The Amulet. Since then, we believe, two or three of the younger ladies have married, but others still reside in their ancestral hall; and Mrs. TRAILL, who, we remember, wrote some pretty and playful children's stories, has just, from her home in the far west, sent us over a very charming book for the young, called The Canadian Crusoes, a tale of the Rice Lake Plains; and a very pretty tale it is, full of interest and informationno more agreeable present could be made to those who, in the early spring of life, are about to leave the old, for the New World, than The Canadian Crusoes. The illustrations are drawn with Mr. Harvey's well-known taste and spirit; but why will he persist in putting "old heads on young shoulders," an operation declared to be "impossible,” and which, when Mr. Harvey makes it possible, is anything but pleasant.

THE REVEREND THEODORE ALVIS BUCKLEY, B.A., of Christ Church, is one of those who, ministering to the call for cheap and concentrated translations from "the old masters," has literally produced as many books, almost in his minority, as would occupy the life-long years of those who laboured at translations some forty years ago. But his labours are not limited to translations only; he has made himself a reputation amongst our periodicals as a writer of brilliant fiction-and is altogether gifted with the power of rapid composition and quick perception-which, added to his learning and imagination, give him great advantages over many. He has just published a volume Ancient Cities of

the World, which conveys, particularly to the young student, a great deal of information in a small compass. The illustrations are of average excellence, and the volume is got up so as to make it a pleasant "hand-book" of history.

The Calling and Responsibilities of a Governess, by AMICA. Messrs. LONGMAN have just published a little volume under the above comprehensive title. We intend to revert to it hereafter, as a key unlocking some of our own thoughts on the same subject, and a valuable key it is. The Calling of a Governess is, indeed, important. Amica is anxious to draw attention to it, and has devoted not only much thought, but much sympathy, to the "class" governess. We can safely recommend the book, and have reason to believe that, in the second edition, which we imagine will soon be called for, the author will extend her observations, and add considerably to the "list of works," which she considers should be known to "a governess." While we feel inclined to draw our pencil through the list of" Greek, Latin, and Hebrew" books, we would wish to substitute "Hannah More's Essays," and Miss Edgeworth's " Treatise on Female Education;" from these a very perfect system might be formed certainly no female library could be considered complete without the works of Maria Edgeworth-but as we intend returning to this subject, we take our leave of it for the present.

FREEMASONS' FEMALE SCHOOL.-The opening of this school, at Wandsworth, took place on the 2nd of August, with various forms and ceremonies-some of them peculiar to the numerous and powerful body of men by whom the institution is supported. It was originally formed by Chevalier Ruspini, a man of some note in his day, in the Blackfriars-road, at that time a suburb of London, as Wandsworth now is. The school has been removed to a purer atmosphere and a less crowded district; it is now about four miles from the actual metropolis; but who shall say where the next generation may find itperhaps as completely surrounded by houses, toil, and traffic as the Blackfriars-road of to-day. The ceremony of its inauguration was peculiarly imposing. The freemasons are rarely seen in full costume; there was consequently novelty as well as interest in the proceedings, enhanced by the consideration that between seventy and eighty young girls were there-to be moulded for the hereafter. Upwards of one thousand ladies and gentlemen dined together, under a huge tent, when all the arrangements consequent upon the removal of the school had been gone through, and were concluded. During the proceedings, a very eharming little girl repeated the following lines, which had been written for the occasion by Mr. S. C. Hall, at the request of the secretary :

"Here, from the home your mercies give,

The voice of prayer and praise ascends;
Here, where in hope you bid us live,

We thank our God, and bless our friends!
"We thank and bless them, while we know

Who bade these generous hearts abound;
And whence these streams of goodness flow-
By those masonic signs around!

"Signs that to manhood, age, and youth,
Speak of masonic claims, and call
To learn the great eternal truth,

That one GRAND MASTER loveth all!
"Here shall the weak sweet shelter find;
Here, safe from want, and far from strife,
We gather strength to meet mankind,
And arm us for the fight with life.
"You found us poor, you give us wealth,

That time may touch, yet ne'er decay; Knowledge and prudence, temperance, health: Such are the gifts you give to-day! "You plant, with hope and faith and prayer, That the young trees may grow; and you May know them by the fruit they bear, Grateful and healthful, pure and true! "Such the reward-nor more nor less

To which your future hope extends, From children whom to-day you bless With homes, protectors, teachers, friends t "Asking the help of God on high,

To guide the young, the poor, the weak; Shall we not try, nor vainly try,

To give the recompense you seek! "May the GREAT ARCHITECT, whose care For youth you imitate to-day; May He, whose ministers you are, Hear our young voices as we pray! "And from his mercy-seat above

Bless you with all things pure and good, With homes of plenty, peace, and loveAnd bless your bond of brotherhood!

PHOTOGRAPHY.-The science of photography has, within the last few years, attained such a position as a "handmaid" to the arts, if the term may be permitted, and such varied and infinite amusement is afforded to those who essay to use "the pencil of the sunbeam," that any information respecting it finds a general welcome. Hitherto, the practice of photography has been comparatively limited, by the restrictions placed upon it by the patentee, Mr. Fox TALBOT, of Lacock Abbey; these restrictions operating most powerfully, also, against any improvements which the scientific discoveries of others might bring to bear upon the subject, and which, in other countries, have been the means of perfecting it to a degree utterly unknown among ourselves. For a long time past, efforts have been made to induce the patentee to relinquish his rights, which he has at length consented to do, except in the ease of taking photographic portraits for sale. This branch of the science Mr. Talbot still reserves to himself, and to those who receive licenses from him. The resignation of the patent will be heartily welcomed by all who take an interest in this beautiful art, which we shall now soon expect to see advancing most successfully. Its application to the useful, as well as the mere ornamental, is now in a fair way of being tested fully.

COUNT D'ORSAY.-A man of no ordinary mind and character has passed from the living world in the person of Count D'Orsay. While the influence of his name gave a reputation to what many would consider as only the frivolities of life, the influence of his genius was exerted most energetically and worthily, in the arts of painting and sculpture; while the warmth of his heart ever opened his hand on behalf of the needy and distressed. They will most lament his loss who knew him best.

THE protracted negotiations relative to the "Eastern Question" had at last ended in an appeal to arms. During the summer of 1840, the "integrity" of the Turkish empire was upheld, Ibrahim Pasha was arrested in his victorious course, and the Egyptians were driven by British broadsides from all their strongholds on the coast of Africa.

Commodore Napier, after capturing Saidathe far-famed Sidon of the Phoenicians-had effected a landing to the northward of Beyrout, boldly scaled the mountains of Lebanon, and, with a mixed and greatly inferior force, attacked and defeated the terrible, and hitherto unconquered, Ibrahim Pasha, in his apparently impregnable position, amidst the rocky heights of Boharsef.

was

The Commodore was, however, recalled, in the midst of his brilliant success. Ibrahim Pasha, unpursued by his conquerors, allowed sullenly to withdraw across the AntiLibanus, but was greatly harassed on his way by the exasperated mountaineers; and after committing unheard-of atrocities during his retreat-whose course was marked with fire and blood-he at last concentrated his broken forces at Damascus, for the purpose of falling back again upon Gaza, by way of the Red Sea. Meanwhile, the Turkish forces, which had already been concentrated at Beyrout, were following the Egyptians in a parallel direction along the coast: the mountains of Naplouse intervening between the hostile armies; and into this rugged district I had been sent, with a roving commission and some irregular troops, with directions to excite its wild population to arms; to organize-as I best could-its savage mountaineers, and hang on the flank and rear of the Egyptians, in order to harass them in their retreat, to cut off their communications and intercept their supplies.

Ibrahim left Damascus in the height of winter, and like a wounded lion seeking his

VOL. I. N. S.

MOORE.

lair, often turned to bay, and showed his teeth, as he slowly retired towards the south, along the route, followed by the pilgrim Mecca

caravans.

Although in so southern a latitude, the vicinity of the high mountain ranges-some of them perpetually covered with snow-renders the winters in these regions often rigorous in the extreme. It was during this inclement season of the year that the Egyptians effected their harassing retreat; and the sufferings experienced by them, from cold, from exposure, and from want of supplies, are said to have been most severe; whilst every straggler was cut off by the Bedawees of the Desert, and by the mountaineers of the Houran and of Naplouse, who showed no mercy to their former oppressors, and were themselves visited with fearful retribution whenever they happened to fall into the power of their foes;-for Ibrahim Pasha-never proverbial for humanity—was rendered more bloodthirsty and ferocious than ever by his recent reverses, and the constant hardships and sufferings to which he was exposed.

Having reached the vicinity of the Dead Sea, he crossed the Jordan, and, by a wellexecuted feint on Jerusalem, he managed to gain a little breathing time, and succeeded in partly concentrating his forces in the arid district of the Wady-el-Ghor, to the southward of the Dead Sea; but the main body of the Turkish army was already crossing the plains of Sharon, whilst a strong column (to which I had recently been attached), after occupying Jerusalem, had débouchéd from the defiles of Hebron. A collision was daily expected, the results of which would probably have been doubtful; for the "morale" of the Turks was at a low ebb, and they still recollected with awe their conqueror at Beilan, at Homs, at Kutayah, and Nezib.

Such was the state of things, when commu

nications were received from Commodore Napier, at Alexandria, informing us that his convention with Mehemet Ali had been ratified by the allied powers, and that the war was therefore at an end.

During the period of Ibrahim Pasha's tyrannical sway in Syria, he had kidnapped and transmitted to Egypt some of the most influential Druse and Maronite sheikhs and emirsthe hereditary chieftains and princes of Mount Lebanon-and these unfortunate men, after enduring every indignity, were sent by Mehemet Ali to work at his gold mines in Sennaar: a remote province in the far interior of Africa, situated under the torrid zone, near the supposed sources of the Bahr-é-Abiad, or White Nile.

But who may the uninitiated reader, perhaps, ask-were these "sheikhs" and "emirs" -who and what were the "Druses" and "Maronites," of which mention is here made?

A detailed account of the Maronites and the Druses may be found in a work I published on Syria, some years ago; but a few words of explanation on the immediate subject in question may not be deemed here quite out of place. Amongst the various tribes constituting the motley population of Mount Lebanon, the Maronites and the Druses take the lead.

The Maronites are Catholic Christians, acknowledging, under certain restrictions, the sway of Rome. Their origin is said to have been derived from a hermit of the name of Marounius, who, in the sixth century (a period when religious controversy was already carried to a great extent between Rome and the Lower Empire), lived on the banks of the Orontes, and who, by the penances and mortifications which he underwent, gained many followers, with whom he strenuously supported the interests of Rome against the encroachments of the Greek church. The latter proved, however, too powerful, and obliged Marounius and his disciples to take refuge in those mountains, which, under their own princes, or "emirs," the Maronites occupy to the present day; subject, however, and paying yearly tribute to the Porte; which circumstance was the ostensible pretext of the invasion of their rocky fastnesses by Ibrahim Pasha and his troops.

The Maronites occupy all the highest ridges of the Lebanon, from the vicinity of Tripoli to the neighbourhood of Beyrout; the province of the Keshrouan being the head-quarters of the tribe.

The Druses, though less numerous than the

Vide Lieut.-Colonel E. Napier's "Reminiscences of Syria." Vol. I. chap iv.

Maronites, are a powerful and far more warlike race. They chiefly inhabit the southern range of hills, extending from Beyrout to Sidon, along the Syrian coast. Although idolators, whose origin, belief, and religious ceremonies continue to be enveloped in a veil of the profoundest mystery, they outwardly adhere to many Mahometan rites and customs. Their chiefs are denominated" sheikhs," a title frequently also assumed by the descendants of the Prophet.

One of the most influential of these sheikhs, Hamoud-abou-Neked, was amongst the number of the mountain chiefs, who, as already related, had been treacherously captured by Ibrahim Pasha, and banished into the far interior of Central Africa.

Now, it was one of the stipulations of the Commodore-forming part of his convention with Mehemet Ali-that all those captive sheikhs and emirs should be immediately liberated; and as he took especial interest in the welfare of the former gallant allies of his glorious mountain campaign, he obtained for me the appointment of seeing this portion of the treaty duly carried into effect.

I accordingly left the late scene of war, embarked near Gaza in one of her Majesty's steamers, and repaired without delay to Alexandria, where, being furnished with the requisite credentials, I proceeded immediately on my mission in search of the captive chiefs.

In those days, the giant hand of steam exerted not its influence on the turbid waters of the mighty Nile; and, not being favoured by a northerly breeze, the kunjah, or riverboat, in which I had embarked, was slowly and laboriously tracked by its crew of Arab fellahs against the stream. It appeared to me that difficulties were purposely thrown in my way; and, on arriving at Cairo, I heard that orders had been previously sent for the release of the mountain chiefs, who were already said to have reached Abou Hamed, in their progress towards Cairo, where, it was added, they would consequently very shortly arrive.

The reports I received, were however so contradictory, that I was somewhat puzzled what to believe, and how to act. If I proceeded further up the Nile, I might possibly miss the party I was in search of: it struck me, from the conduct of the Egyptian authori ties at Cairo, and from the opposition I encountered, that they had received instructions to baffle me, if possible, in my design. Whereupon, sending trusty scouts, both by the river and the desert, I impatiently waited at Cairo for further intelligence of my intended charge. Meanwhile, I occupied myself in visiting

the many wonders of this celebrated place-wonders which have been by abler pens so often and so well described, that their recapitulation might probably be considered as superfluous. Whilst thus employed, I had an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the man to whose military genius, Ibrahim Pasha was said to be indebted for all his conquests and victories over the Turks. I allude to the French general: Sève, more commonly known as Solyman Pasha, formerly a colonel in Napoleon's army, and who, like many others, had, at the termination of the continental war, sought and made his fortune in the East; and, in the service of Mehemet Ali, had attained the highest military rank, with a degree of reputation which has extended far and wide.

Whilst Ibrahim Pasha, on the termination of the war, had embarked part of his troops at Gaza, Solyman Pasha, with the left column, the baggage, the women, and followers of the Egyptian army, traversed the Arabian desert; and, after enduring great privations and hardships, conducted his force to Cairo, by the circuitous route of Akabah and of Suez.

This movement he effected during the period of my residence at Cairo, and I rode out into the desert, to witness the return of this portion of the Egyptian army-having already beheld part of it at Gaza.

Solyman's camp was pitched some distance to the eastward of the city: on the day of my visit, a large body of cavalry had just arrived, amongst which was a fine regiment of lancers; and as I admired the steadiness of these veteran warriors, weather-beaten by the effects of a long winter campaign-bronzed by the heat of the desert sand-still suffering from thirst, and all the hardships and privations of a long and weary march, I could not avoid comparisons between them and the Ottoman troops-comparisons which proved far from favourable to the latter-or speculating on the chances the Turks would have had of experiencing a defeat, had a general engagement taken place, before the Commodore's convention proclaimed the war to be at an end.

Solyman Pasha received me with the cordial frankness of a soldier: ere many days had passed, I was an honoured guest at his princely abode, in the suburbs of Old Cairo, and fêted with all that hospitality for which he was so renowned. Although outwardly professing the Mahometan faith, the old veteran still liked his glass of good wine: and many a bottle of "Chateau-Margaux" and "Lafitte" did we broach together, whilst comparing notes on the events of the last campaign.

The hardships endured by the Egyptian army, during their winter retreat from Damascus, he compared with those experienced by the French when retiring from Moscow, in their fatal Russian campaign; whilst the subsequent sufferings of his own column, encumbered as he was with women, children, and camp-followers, during the march across the desert-from the excessive heat and want of water he described as being most intense; ces chiens de Bedouins," as he termed them, constantly hovering on his flanks, and, notwithstanding the peace which had been proclaimed, indiscriminately plundering and murdering every straggler from his ranks; and small mercy did they, if captured, experience in return: being invariably put to death upon the spot.

66

"My blood be upon thy head, oh, Pasha!" was the dying speech of a Bedouin sheikh, who had fallen into Solyman's unrelenting grasp. "Allah, oh, Sheikh! shall be the judge between us!" was the Pasha's reply, as the Arab's head, on the given signal, rolled on the desert sand.

And, now, after all these sufferings-after unheard and untold-of scenes of hardships, of wretchedness, of bloody deeds and death-did the veteran warrior fully enjoy the endearments of domestic bliss.

He had, I well remember, two fine young children, of whom he appeared to be most fond. Their mother was a Greek, whom he had rescued from the brutality of his soldiers, at the sack, by the Egyptians, of some town in the Morea, during the war of independence in Greece. Her story was most romantic; but the particulars I cannot now recal, further than his beautiful captive, by her charms and amiability, soon acquired unbounded influence over her master, and became the sultana of his hareem, according to the Mahometan forms of the Marriage Act.

Solyman's children and myself at last became great friends; but their mother I never had an opportunity to behold, though particularly anxious so to do; for the old warrior-at least in this respect-was steadfast to the injunetions of his adopted creed!

Most pleasantly did a residence of some duration at Cairo rapidly pass away, till the arrival of the emirs and sheikhs, of whom I had been sent in quest; but my stay was doomed to be still further prolonged, for the "authorities" would not suffer the exiles to depart, until the viceroy had been made acquainted with their arrival, and another order had been received for their transmission to Alexandria, thence to embark with me for Beyrout.