of style and execution, the several PORTRAITURES being, it is fancied, more artistic than is usual in biographies of the like extent and compass; and, inasmuch as some of the names selected may be but indifferently known to the commonalty of readers, the facts and circumstances having reference to these will furnish some novelty of interest; while the admirable example in almost every case presented, is one that cannot well be contemplated without pleasure and approbation. It is hoped the book may be found worthy of some moderate acceptance; and that, if it serve no higher purpose, it may at least afford pleasant entertainment for an hour, to such as may be induced to employ their time in reading it.

BIOGRAPHIC PORTRAITURES.

CHRISTIAN GOTTLOB HEYNE.*

THE struggle of genius with adversity, though oftentimes represented, never ceases to be interesting. Every variation of this story has its own graces, and conveys its separate and peculiar lesson. Whoso passes worthily through the straits and perils of difficult and painful circumstances, is thereby recommended to the sympathy and admiration of mankind. Men love to trace the paths by which he journeyed-to contemplate, as from a quiet and retired distance, the obstacles and dangers he survived and overcame-to witness, with a wondering and pensive interest, the whole intricate drama of his baffled and renewed endeavours-and are not without a disposition to rejoice in the result, when it is seen that a manly and consistent purpose has been followed by success. The biographies of diligent and able persons are, accordingly, among the most attractive and encouraging studies which can engage the attention of hopeful and aspiring natures; being at once mementoes of triumphant energy, and pledges of the possibilities which are open to further and corresponding enterprises. He that can succeed in delineating the outward and inward being and history of a man-especially of a man esteemed eminent and worthy in his generation-will not alone impart a rational and exalted pleasure to those who may attentively consider the delineation, but will likewise contribute something to illustrate and promote that intellectual and spiritual advancement whereof all men are more or less

* From "Chambers's Papers for the People," 1850.

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capable, and are morally enjoined to aim after. With some such intent, though on a small and very imperfect scale, it is here proposed to portray the life and experiences of Professor Heyne-a scholar whose reputation has now been long established among the learned, not only in Germany, his native country, but likewise in France and England, and indeed throughout Europe generally. By common acknowledgment of all competent and enlightened scholars, he was a man of solid and excellent attainments, and of a character in nearly all respects remarkable: upright, persevering, steadfastminded; in what he did and what he suffered a notable example of high intelligence, of quiet and sedulous endeavour, personal energy and helpfulness; and also of a pure, modest, and unpretending probity. Any relation which shall represent, however faintly, the attempts, labours, and performances of such a man, cannot fail to be acceptable to many readers, and to some may possibly prove more instructive, and perhaps no less entertaining, than more voluminous and ambitious publications.

Christian Gottlob Heyne was born at Chemnitz, in Upper Saxony, in the month of September, 1729. His father, George Heyne, was a weaver in humble and even impoverished circumstances. The manufactures of Saxony were in his day visibly declining; and consequently the miseries of his class were almost daily accumulating, and their prospects becoming constantly more and more hopeless. Scarcely could the workman, with his utmost diligence, earn a sufficiency for his own support, still less was he capable of adequately providing, for his family. Heyne was accordingly nurtured and brought up in the most extreme and bitter poverty. "The earliest companion of my childhood," says he, "was want; and my first impressions came from the tears of my mother, who had not bread to give her children." He was also the first-born of the family, and had therefore the completest opportunities for witnessing the various phases of destitution which the household from time to time presented. Many a piteous and distressing spectacle appears to have been exhibited in that poor weaver's cottage, where the father often worked through long weary days-from early morning until late at nightand then perhaps could not find a purchaser for the product of his labour. Scenes of memorable sadness, hunger-pangs, the still despair of stricken industry, were things familiar to