Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

1831.]

REVIEW.-Logan's Scottish Gaël.

CHAPTER V. Customs in War, and Military Tactics. The word hubbub had the following origin:

"It was also usual to convey intelligence, by one or more persons ascending an eminence, and there raising a loud shout, which being heard at a distance by others, was reported to those who were farther distant, and in this manner information was trans

mitted with surprising expedition. This practice was continued among the Irish and Welch, until late times, and was called the Hubub. In Wales, when any thing hap;

pens, a person goes to an eminence and

there cries the Houboub, Those who hear it do the same, and the country is speedily Bub in Gaelic is a yell."

in arms.

[blocks in formation]

A's a

*****

Offspring of the chiefs

Of snorting steeds,

Cut down the foes to earth.

Now he who can suppose that the Clergyman wrote an original Gaelic song, which others knew as well as himself, and that Macpherson knew nothing of it, might be expected to affirm, that a forged bank-note was not imitated from a real one.

As to the internal evidence, we have shown in our review of "Africa" an assimilation among the Hebrews to the Biblical songs; and from the original Gaelic here printed, we see that the poetical measure was the Scriptural parallelism. Though the text in Macpherson is printed continuously, yet the breaks appear in the short sentences, as thus: Fingal arose in arms-Thrice he reared his dreadful voice-Cromla answered around,"&c. &c. &c.

[ocr errors]

That Macpherson has paraphrased Ossian, sometimes successfully, sometimes otherwise, is beyond doubt. But we as much believe in the existence of

59

It might have astonished (were there not invidious feelings existent in all ages) any Scotchman, at any time, to hear it affirmed that Macpherson's Ossian was a forgery. To any person acquainted with the Highlands and Caledonian manners, the hypothesis was even silly. In p. 161, we have a copy of a war song, which the Rev. Mr. Gallie, of Kincardine in Ross, commu nicated to the Highland Society, from memory. It is to be found in the 4th book of Fingal, as translated by Macpherson, and we shall place the literal translation in contrast with Macpherson's paraphrase.

Macpherson's Paraphrase. Son of the chief of generous steeds High-bounding,

[blocks in formation]

that Bard, as we do in that of Homer. He may not have written all the Gaelic songs, no more than David did all the Psalms; but he was the poet distinguished for excellence, and therefore the presumed or ascribed author.

Mr. Logan says, that hills are better divisions than rivers (p. 169). This we do not admit; but we allow the fact, that

"To the inhabitants of the valley, all within the visible horizon was a country. The great contention was always for the sky of the hill.' And long as it is since this Celtic division has been politically unknown, the districts inhabited by certain clans are still called their countries."-p. 169.

It is well-known, that in our own parochial perambulations, it was recently a custom to flog a boy at each boundary, that he might be sure to remember it; and we believe that it is still usual to seize a spectator, and bump his posteriors against the stone.

60

REVIEW.-Nicolas's State of Historical Literature. [Jan.

It appears to have been an old Celtic practice; for we are told, upon the authority of Martin, that in the Isles and other parts of Scotland, “boys, that the boundaries might not be mistaken, were taken to the spot, and received so sound a flogging, that it was by no means likely they should, while they lived, forget the place of execution."p. 170.

(To be continued.)

Observations on the State of Historical Literature, and on the Society of Antiquaries, and other Institutions, for its advancement in England; with remarks on Record Of fices, and on the proceedings of the Record Commission. Addressed to the Secretary of State for the Home Department. By Nicholas Harris Nicolas, Esq. Barrister at Law. 8vo, pp. 212. Remarks, addressed to the Right Hon. Visc. Melbourne, Secretary of State for the Home Department, in reply to a Pamphlet addressed to him by Nicholas Harris Nicolas, Esq. and entitled "Observations on the State of Historical Literature," &c. By Francis Palgrave, Esq. of the Inner Temple, Barrister at Law. 8vo, pp. 62. CONFINING ourselves to a temperate review of the works before us, we shall at once commence with Mr. Nicolas's pamphlet, because it relates to fact and circumstance; and then proceed to Mr. Palgrave's answer, because it applies to personalities.

The work of Mr. Nicolas is divided into ten Chapters. The two first take for their position the imperfection of the existing Histories of England; and the obligation thence arising to publish all that can be acquired concerning that subject.

We by no means deny the truism, that when history and biography, and legal evidence, are involved in doubt, information cannot be too complete; but Sir Robert Walpole said, and said truly, that history (as to critical minuteness) must necessarily be a lie. It is not so as to the palpable broad fact; but it is a thousand to one that it is so in representation of the particulars. If we read an affair of history, we do not know the party necessity, or corrupt motive, which influenced adoption of the measure; and, if it be one of biography, we do not know the private feeling or the friendly interest which occasioned the advancement of the individual. And were it not so, contemporaries and intimates can alone

explain the real causes. Representations addressed to the public are made for disguise, and except in glaring cases are unfaithful and insincere. Who could search record or history ad infi nitum concerning the last Stafford Duke of Buckingham, Cromwell Earl of Essex, Strafford the prime minister of Charles I., and others temp. Charles II., and find them otherwise than libelled, because they were marked out for victimation?

This, and more may be said, in defence of History as it exists, and as it must from necessity continue-at best imperfect. To aim at perfection, will, however, in most cases lead to imthat much light may still be thrown provement. Mr. Nicolas has shown on English History; and of this truth the Excerpta Historica, which we review in another page, is a striking proof. On this point, therefore, but with a less sanguine enthusiasm, we partially concur with Mr. Nicolas.

Chapter III. is devoted to the Society of Antiquaries. Mr. Nicolas most certainly considers the duties of the Society to refer exclusively to that amplification of historical and biographical materials, in which he deems (as we presume) the sole merits of Archæologists to consist. To judge from hints, slights, and sneers, he seems to consider such persons as Sir R. C. Hoare, Dr. Meyrick, Messrs. Fosbroke, Higgins, &c. as mere collectors of pins, and their works only as pincushions. But here his taste will be disputed by philosophers. They know that arts and sciences are both enlarged and eternized by archæological records; that retrogression in civil benefits is thus rendered impracticable; and that even the very follies of past ages deserve reminiscence, because they are warnings. We can have no guard against the future but through the past, as no child can have a clear conception of the danger of fire and water, but from the admonition of parents.

We could put a question to Mr. Nicolas. If the Society of Antiquaries had limited themselves to his very contracted view of Archæology, what would have become of that tasteful revival of the Gothic,* which so orna

It should be remembered that, besides the numerous architectural plates in the Vetusta Monumenta, the Society has issued distinct publications on the Cathedrals of

1831.]

REVIEW.-Nicolas's State of Historical Literature.

ments the face of the country in all directions, and is fortunately progressive, because rural residence is the most efficient mode of encouraging order, law, civilization, and improvement among the lower ranks. Surely such effects imply a greater public good, than dozens of different accounts of one and the same transaction.

The 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th Chapters, refer to the Record Offices and Record Commission. The substance of all these Chapters is comprized in the inaccessibility and fees of the former, and expensiveness of the latter. Speaking of things in the ought to be view, we think with Mr. Nicolas, that the Record Offices ought to be as easily and cheaply accessible, as are the Prerogative Office and Parish Registers, viz. for the humble sacrifice of one shilling; and, after the decease of the present officers, we should be glad to see them so modelled. To make them gratuitously open, like the manuscripts in the British Museum, we do not think safe. The public records are evidences in Courts of Justice, and, as such, must not be perused but under the eye of sworn keepers. Copy ing is not permitted on account of the Stamp duties, the proceeds of which go to cover the expense of the custody; and, as to the emoluments of the officers, whatever they may be, it is always usual that every person who devotes his time and attention to one object, should be remunerated to an adequate amount of what he may be fairly supposed to have the means of gaining in a different exercise of his profession. If barristers or physicians of eminence leave their customary sources of profit on extraordinary occasions, they conceive themselves entitled to indemnification for such sacrifices. The fees of stage-coachmen and guards have been reprobated, but passengers who consider their baggage to be thus better

Exeter, Durham, and Gloucester, the Abbey Churches of Bath and St. Alban's, and St. Stephen's Chapel, Westminster. These magnificent works,—although their continuance may not now be necessary in consequence of the subsequent appearance of others more portable and accessible, have doubtless

been conducive to the circulation of a sound taste in architecture, and will remain examples of a munificent expenditure of funds -in addition to what have been unjustly represented as the Society's only works, the Archæologia and Vetusta Monumenta.

61

protected, think it a smaller evil than the possible carelessness consequent upon the opposite plan; and in the same manner, it has been said, that the prospect of fees tends greatly to create an interest in the conservation of Records. Nevertheless, we still think with Mr. Nicolas, that matters may be arranged upon a far better footing; and that documents of mere historical curiosity, and of which no professional use can ever be made, should not be saddled with fees for copying; as was the case with the Scrope and Grosvenor Roll, mentioned in p. 55, which cost 57. for the matter contained in each printed sheet. Such records should be free to the literary inquirer, even if he should prefer transcribing or abstracting them himself, to employing the expensive services of the established clerks.

Mr. Nicolas would have the literary student released from the necessity of incurring personal obligations. But, at least so long as the printed catalogues remain incomplete, this is clearly impossible. The inquirer cannot proceed without assistance; for which, if he does not pay, he must be obliged; and let us add, that from personal knowledge and business intercourse with the officers and clerks of the establishments alluded to, we can speak of liberal treatment. There is a distinction, although not always recollected, between office and servitude, and persons in the former state take fire at a command.

The whole time of Clerks cannot be occupied in the gratification of curiosity; and such is that of the idle public, that we know country gentlemen, who would not have their seats described in Topographical works, lest visitors should be importunate to see them. With regard to uncontrolled publicity, we can also state, that the Esquire of a parish, ashamed of some poor relatives, his next heirs, begged the Clergyman to send to him the registers. He unsuspectingly did so. The Esquire cut out the leaves referring to those relatives; and upon his decease, three of them for want of proof were obliged to take 12,000l. instead of 40,000l. each, their just share; and, in the end, the estate came into the hands of strangers, who now enjoy it.

At this point we must notice the cock-and-bull story in pp. 79-83, intoTM the narration of which Mr. Nicolas

62

REVIEW.-Palgrave's Reply to Mr. Nicolas.

has been drawn by the ex-parte statement of a disappointed Frenchman : who, by the manner in which he has gulled our reformer, has plainly shown how he would have gulled the Trustees of the British Museum, had they not been old birds-too wary to be caught with chaff. We are in possession of a few facts which will set this matter in its proper light. In the first place, the principal Librarian of the British Museum went to inspect the MSS.-not from London, but from Paris, whither he had repaired from perfectly different motives. The French country gentleman in question had announced himself as the possessor of Anglo-Gallic state-papers of such value and in such quantity, that scarcely any pecuniary consideration could be esteemed their equivalent. So far indeed did he carry his expecta tion, that at one time he stipulated for the interest of the English government, in obtaining a grade in the peerage; and at another, with still greater absurdity, for the admission of his Burgundy into British ports duty-free! In the letter Mr. Nicolas has printed, the Baron, after stating that Sir Thomas Croft had found "un infinité de documens ayant rapport à l'histoire d'Angleterre," adds, "Tenez vous certain, Monsieur, qu'il existe dans mes cartons, dix mille, peut-être cent mille titres sur le même sujet." But this mountain of MSS. turned out a mere molehill. When desired to select all that related to English affairs, the Baron could only assemble less than 250 articles: and these, we understand, are now upon their journey to England. "Thus these highly valuable manuscripts are not lost to the Museum."

Mr. Nicolas in Chapter VIII. gives suggestions for the formation of a new Record Commission. This he proposes to be constituted of practical inen, wholly or chiefly. That there must and ought to be a sufficiency of practical men, we willingly admit; but we have never heard that the affairs of the Admiralty have been worse conducted, because the first Lord and many of his fellows have never been to sea in their lives. The interest which an individual or individuals take in a thing, is the best security for the proper conservation and management of it.

The tenth Chapter, relative to the want of encouragement in Science and Literature, refers to a national disgrace

[Jan.

and public injury. Herein we agree with Mr. Nicolas, without qualification; for most true it is, that our countrymen in general care only for rich people, demagogues, quack-doctors, and methodist-parsons; and a man of talent is not valued, but as he is subservient to party or private purposes.

We now proceed to Mr. Palgrave's pamphlet. Sorry we are to say, that it alludes to personal conduct on the part of Mr. Nicolas, which in our opinion can scarcely be palliated. Mr. Palgrave informs us, that, there having been a vacancy in the Council of the Society of Antiquaries, Mr. Nicolas, as an eminent writer resident in London, was elected a member; but in the exercise of his function" was betrayed into a degree of violence of deportment and gesticulation, which gave offence; and in consequence thereof, when the House List was prepared for the election of the new Council, on the ensuing Charter-day, the name of Mr. Nicolas was not included therein."

Now strife may begin by letting in fire, as well as by letting out water. The Council felt insulted, and thought that they had found in Mr. Nicolas, not a coadjutor, but an agitator, who aspired to dictatorship. If such were the intention, he who strives to be aut Cæsar aut nullus, must make up his mind to be disappointed; and the justice of complaint is on the side of those who were devoted to proscription. But had the autocracy of Cæsar (and there is a Nicholas now an autocrat) been acquired, was there no reason to apprehend the message of the soothsayer, and the dreaming wife, "Beware of the Charter-day!" Were there no Brutuses, with uplifted pamphlets? Out of the country would they have poured; and Mr. Nicolas will recollect, that their non-residence in London exempts them from all manner of concern in his sweeping censure of the Society at large. Were it just, it can only apply to the metropolitan part of the learned body, and, as such, to the managing members. Even of these we possess published works, of the first class, in extent of learning fully equal to his own; and as to submission, in cases of talent and erudition, it must be a voluntary feeling. No human power can extort it. The truth is, that the Society, by the insertion of Mr. Nicolas's various (and we willingly add meritorious) papers

1831.]

REVIEW.-Palgrave's Reply to Mr. Nicolas.

in the Archæologia, had warmly supported his incipient reputation. He ought to have been thankful, for patronage of rising merit has not always emanated from learned societies. It was not until Du CANGE, after thirty years labour, had finished his inimitable Glossary, that the French Academicians offered him a seat among them. "Thank you," was the cool reply. Du Cange treated it as Napoleon or Wellington would the freedom of a municipal town: and to Du Cange it was then of no more value. Before it would have been most beneficial.

It appears, from Mr. Palgrave's pamphlet, that in the meeting alluded to, Mr. Nicolas exhibited bad generalship in regard to himself, and dictatorial behaviour towards persons who had been his friends, and who were, like himself, gentlemen, and men of knowledge. His exclusion was the natural consequence. How he acted on the occasion Mr. Palgrave thus informs us:

"On St. George's day Mr. Nicolas came down, in perfect confidence that he should be continued in the Council. When he found that he was excluded from the list, he burst into a paroxysm of anger, and gave vent to language indicating his feelings, and which excited much notice and surprise."

"Mr. Nicolas now declared a war of extermination against the Antiquaries in general; but more particularly against Mr. Ellis and Mr. Nicholas Carlisle, and all persons who, as he supposed, had excluded him from the Council. He began by demonstrations in the Retrospective and Westminster Reviews. A similar warfare followed by means of the daily press; and the waste corners of the columns of the newspapers were occupied by epistles from Mr. Nicolas, under the names and epithets of Antiquarius,' Scrutator,' F. S. A.' &c. &c. &c. in which the abuses of the Archaeologists, and the errors of Mr. Ellis, are detailed." →p. 8.

Now here is powder without shot. Authors of established and just repute cannot be written down. Who attends to Cowel's aspersions of Du Cange, Voltaire's of Shakspeare, or Rymer's of Milton?

We shall next notice the personal attacks upon Mr. Palgrave. We know that his reputation stands upon a firm pedestal; and this Mr. Nicolas does not seem to dispute, but makes his attack upon the pecuniary remuneration of that gentleman and his colleagues.

63

Many persons would have disliked touching upon the subject, in such, we may say, illiberal point of view, and perhaps have classed it with poisoned arrows in belligerency. Whether Mr. Palgrave has been fairly dealt with our readers shall decide from his

own statement.

"I am very loth to speak of myself, but there are circumstances under which egotism becomes a duty. For ten years preriod I lived in very narrow and humble cirviously to the year 1822, during which pecumstances, I employed such leisure time as I could spare, in working upon the Rolls of Parliament, and upon Parliamentary History. It chanced that Mr. Allen once happened to tell me, at Holland House, that a large number of parliamentary petitions had been discovered since the Rolls were printed. This information made a great impression upon me, and I constantly kept it in mind, in the remote expectation that I might ultimately be enabled to bring these inedited records to light. In 1822, the appointment of Sir James Mackintosh, who had honoured me by his notice, seemed to afford an opportunity; and I presented a plan to the Record Commissioners, for the publication upon which I am engaged. The plan, which went very much into detail, was carefully examined, and then adopted; and, in' April, 1822, I was appointed a SubCommissioner, for the purpose of carrying it into effect.

"I have found great pleasure in the task allotted to me. I have never intermitted for more than one week since I began; for when I have been in the country the sheets have been sent to me; and, if my circumstances permitted me to do so, nothing would have given me greater satisfaction, than to have rendered my services gratuitously.

"This I cannot afford to do, and I am the salaried servant of the public, employed to perpetuate the title-deeds of the Constitution. Mr. Nicolas grudgingly holds up the sum which, he says, I have received during seven years. How many periods of seven years are there in human life? and are not the previous periods of unproductive study to receive compensation? Mr. Nicolas counts upon one side, Money received,' but he does not give the other side of the account. He debits me with the cash; he inserts my disbursements, so as to make them stand as gains; but he does not give me credit for the work which has been done. He carefully omits telling your Lordship, that the sums paid have so been paid, not only for the volumes which have appeared, but also for the materials which form the basis of the whole collection.

"One observation, however, before I

« AnteriorContinuar »