here, or why made at first so ridiculous, who was afterwards to be so worthy, I don't know. My admiration all through is very gratuitous, and therefore sincere, for I am not bribed by knowing any of the other characters, English or Foreign, and still less of Germany itself. But I am fond of travels; and if this were only a book of travels, I should say it was the most interesting one I had ever read. I and others guess Van Chronicle to be Mr. Smith, but Colburn tells me I am wrong. However, resemblances to individuals have nothing to do with the pleasures of the book, which are intrinsically the author's, whose versatility is astonishing. For though wildness is the character of the work, and we often meet with sublimity, I like him best in his softer and more natural moods, in his reflections on life, his criticisms on literature, and his scenes of living manners. The dramatising of the corsair, the review, the court, the ball, the picture of a political queen (particularly this last), are charming, while the faults (for, of course, there are faults) seem all or chiefly to arise out of what is to me, from want of a story, a defective plan. It is this plan that reduces everything to a sort of magic lanthorn of pictures; many of them very beautiful, some of them very grotesque, and some which I actually don't like, all of them disjointed, and therefore shattering the interest to pieces. But then the skill, the power, the invention, the faithfulness, and often the eloquence redeem much, though they do not radically cure an incurable defect. I will not stop to point out the things I like least, or don't like at all, as the

gambling scenes and many parts of Esper George, because they are lost and sink to nothing before the more numerous beauties. The style, for the most part, is forcible as well as elegant; if there is a fault, it is sometimes too forcible, so as to keep the mind too much on the stretch; perhaps I better express myself by saying, there is too much study of point. But other tastes may differ, and prefer it; at any rate, it is masterly as to its object, and it is my private taste which makes me like it best, when it is least upon the qui vive. One grammatical turn I must point out as being indefensible, indeed it is so dissimilar to every thing else throughout the work, that I only wonder how it got into it. It is such a passage as this: 'Madame Carolina was being overwhelmed with the compliments,' &c. This occurs some twice or thrice, no more. You see, my dear friend, I have amply complied with your desire to give my opinion, and I think you will at least say, I have done it honestly. I don't know the opinion in town, for I have had no opportunity of learning it, but shall know more in a week or ten days, when I shall be there. The only opinion I have heard is the Chief Baron Shepherd's, a most competent one, and it is highly favourable. I suppose the book is not finished, and I am sorry. Don't be angry; my reason is, that I quite long to see such talents, powers, knowledge, and imagination employed on something freer from the trammels which such a plan imposes: upon a different subject, and with a different hero, (for Vivian, from his original rascality, can never obtain our love,) I should expect such a

writer to carry writing as far as it can go. The post waits; I can scarcely say even adieu."

The success of "De Vere" was quite as great as had been that of "Tremaine." Indeed it was calculated to suit better that very large division, the habitual novel reader, while its sterling merits and sound morality secured for it the exceptional class, that had been attracted by the religious tone pervading "Tremaine." A third class was attracted by its fixing upon politics as the one great source of interest, and by its masterly portrait of a great political leader, for which at the time it was generally reported that Canning had sat. Those who have perused these memoirs will not fail to perceive that the author could not intend to identify that eminent statesman with any ideal picture of perfection; but no one could have been engaged year by year in the same arena of politics with George Canning, and not retain, impressed upon his mind, such recollection of high and earnest purposes, overwhelming eloquence, and daring independence of opinion, as would form some of the features that should assist to complete the beau idéal of a

statesman.

"De Vere" was dedicated to the Earl of Mulgrave, in a letter couched in the following terms, and conveying the results of many years' study of that nobleman's political character, by one who had been always behind the scenes.

"My Lord,

"London, March 8. 1827.

"As the following work treats much of independence of mind, and of the effects which ambition produces upon the heart and character of man, I know not that I can ask a better grace for it, than to be allowed to inscribe it to one who has run through so great a career as your Lordship, reaping from it. nothing but honour. But though I have been a witness to the devotion of your life to public duty, perhaps no part of it inspired me with more admiring respect than the disinterested manner in which, after so ably administering your power, you voluntarily laid it down. Surrounded by the friends of your love, and who give you all their veneration in return, you are a happy example of the better sort of ambition treated of in this work.

"I have other reasons of private attachment, which make me not less glad to profit by an opportunity of marking my grateful respect for your virtues; but with these, however they may influence individual feeling, the world is not concerned.

"That Providence, which preserved you amid the dangers of your earlier career, may continue to watch over you during the repose of your honourable life,

is the sincere wish of

"Your most attached friend,

"And obedient servant,

"THE AUTHOR."

The foregoing was enclosed in a letter to Lady

Mulgrave, in which, after alluding with much feeling to the death of Sir George Beaumont, which he well knew would be a source of intense grief to those whom he was addressing, and giving an account of the health of his eldest daughter, about whom he was already anxious, he continues: "But for this illness, how happy I should have been at this dear place (Hyde House). Secluded as it is, we have had all sorts of occupations, and never went to bed without wishing the night speedily over, to rise again to new interests. You may suppose 'De Vere' was not forgotten, which brings me to the last subject of my letter; not the least, however, if only for the pleasure I have always had in witnessing the interest which all of you, and particularly your dear Lord, have taken in it. The approbation, indeed, which you have expressed about it has given me the greatest encouragement; and, I am very sure, with the highest benefit to the work; for, after leaving Mulgrave, I scarcely ever write a page without thinking how they would like it, and if I thought not, it was always changed. Hence I never rested till I had changed the death of Beaufort into a fall in a duel; and I think I at last succeeded in leaving the interest quite as great and influential in that as in the other mode.

And now, what will you say to a little request I have to propose to your Lord. I am most earnest in it, but you shall keep it back, or open it, as you think it may or may not be agreeable to him. The reasons for my wish need no explanation, when I tell you I wish to have leave to inscribe it to him, in some such