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Northern Star (1837-1852), 7th August 1852, Edition 2 of 2, Page 3

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    • LITERATURE. fcrtrieto.
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      Tugpsr % 1853, The Star Of Freedcm.

      tuGPsr % 1853 , THE STAR OF FREEDCM .

      Literature. Fcrtrieto.

      LITERATURE . fcrtrieto .

      . „ *Ee Wnenindepenflenee Of Princi Ple ...

      . „ * ee wnenindepenflenee of princi ple consists inlying no U - £ niaU on which to depend , and free-tbinking , not in thinking gSutmbeirr free from thinking ; - » an age when men Ithrfd any thing except fheir tongues , keep anything except f . " , and lose nolMo ? patiendy , except th « r character ; ^ Vmnrove such an age most be difficult , torastruct it dangerous , o ns stands no chance of amending it who cannot at tlie same time amuse it .

      ytttsTLTSGS . By "William "WUHsnore . London : John Chapman . There is hardly a spot in the wide world so barren rn « wed , and forlorn , but some flower will blossom into * life . Among the silent solitudes of Alpine snows the watery wilderness of old ocean , the rocks and tho ruins , and even amid the aried wastes of the desert , some type of loveliness will start up from Earth ' sinner sea of Beauty , and spring into life as a Flower 1 And thus it is with Poetry , the Flower ot Humanitv ! It will continually be springing , m its own natural way , in the most bleak and barren byeand most

      ways of the world , as well as in the richest cultivated pastures . The winds of Heaven , or the birds of God , will drop the seed , ar . d the flower will follow even though sown amid the bushes and brambles of the obscurest hamlet , or m toe crevices of the city p avement . Zot that the wilderness of buratg 2 nd , orthe sterilerock , or the eternal snows STeVlaces best calculated to rear flowers of most exquisite fragrance and beaaty ; neither are , poverty , and penury , with their bell of torture , and daily wrestle with g rim death , the fittest sod to grow and perfect the flower of poetry . The greatest original Genius can only develop itself according to the circumstances which environ it . It needs food to nourish itand time and opportunity to untold it . If

      , it lack these it must rem ain dwarfed and stunted , and perhaps wither and die . In Poverty a man ism deep and stormy waters , and it needs ahold heart and a strong arm to battle with them and keep his head above . Poverty signifies a never-ceasing combat for the means of living , and is not attractive to poetic influences . ' Blessed are they who suffer was never spoken of those who toil , and suffer from want and hunger . There are natures that ripen and strengthen in suffering ; but it is that suffering which chastens , purifies , aud enobles , that which lifts and clears the spiritual sight , not the anxiety for work , and the want of bread . Besides , it is not while the

      fig ht is raging and the struggle is sore , that the heart of the Poet will break into song ; he must first do battle and overcome , climb from the stir and strife , and be able to watch from his mountain where he dwells apart . It is not while the cisterns of Sorrow are full that the sound of the falling drops are to be heard ; nor can the hand and lyre of the poet be flooded with melody while his heart is fall to bursting , and yet pent upas though a grave-stone were rolled upon it . None but those who have suffered and grown strong , and have written poetry in Pover ty , can tell what it means . Yet , in spite of Poverty and its evil influences , in spite of Penury

      and its untoward circumstances , in spite of the iron heel of Oppression , and the inexorable knife of malignant Fate , the Flower of Poetry will be found springing into life , and showing rare beauty in the nooks , bye ways , and desolate places of the world , and the hearts of p oor working men will break into singing , showing that thoy too possess the mag ic to trim the divine lamp of Poetry in the hearts and homes of the suffering poor . Working Men hare burned to hymn the prayer of the people for nobler growth and higher development , and to write ' Death' on the palace-door of Wrong aud Oppression . Working men can kindle the hearts of the

      masses , and waken in their crushed being a sense of the beauty and grandeur of this world , so rich in all loveliness , call forth lineaments of divinest beauty , and retouch the defaced image of God in their poor worn faces , and give them g lorious glimpses of the wondrous significance of Life , and the lofty purpose of their sublime destiny , in songs which Tyranny quakes to hear , and which the world will not willingl y let die . This is one of the proudest characteristics of the age we live in , this poetry of the people , written by and for themselves . jSever till the present time has the poetry of the people been written . This poetry does not roll in its epic grandeur round the

      world like a mighty river , deep , solemn , and sublime But , better still , it penetrates into the nooks and barren places , making the arid waste fruitful , and the desert to blossom as the rose . It is humanising Humanity on the hearth of England ' s cottage-homes —it is revealing the better nature that underlies so much of rough androckey ground , ringing out the people ' s political , moral , aud social aspirations , and elevating the standard of Humanity for all . Gianthearted Robert Burns , was the first in a kingly line ,

      and the founder of a glorious dynasty of the people ' s poets . With his lamp , which was lit with fire from Heaven , he descended into the lowliest human heart , read the inscription which God had written on its narrow , dark chamber-walls , and proclaimed to the world that signs of beauty aud gleams of light still illumined its darkness . He it was who sang * A man ' s a man for a' that '; and at the words the poor crushed masses felt the spirit of manhood stirring within them , andthe spirit of freedom effervescing at the heart of them . The Serf was made noble in

      JBobert Barns . He hoped our hopes , wept our tears , despaired our despairs , and his heart was pulsed by all our living impulses . The people lived in the large brave heart * of Robert Burns , and we have taken lim to lire for ever and aye in the heart of the people . Since Glorious Burns we have had many a true singer in tbe ranks of the Working Classes who have seen that their mission has been that of hand-aud-heart workers in the strife . We point with pride to John Clare , the peasant ; Robest Kichol , the Scottish herd boy ; Thomas Cooper , the Milton of Chartism ; Prince , and Thorn , and many another people ' s poet of the lineage of Burns . And here is another to be

      added to the grand company , though , as yet , but inthe outer circle , Mr . Whitmore is a working man , as he informs us ; he is also a poet , as his book informs us . We believe his brow is broad enough to wear the crown of the people's poet , if his heart he brave , and his hand strong enough to win it . There is no finer thing in the world , no sublimer spectacle , than that presented by the toiler-teacher . The man who earns his bread by the labour of his hand , in the sweat of his brow , and still , by press , platform , or pen , aims a blow at the wrong , and bears witness for the right , whenever opportunity offers . William Whitmore is such a one , aud

      deserves the honour of our class for his noble struggle and endeavour to better the hearts of his fellows out of the experiences of his own life . This little volume ofvtrsa may not create a furore , for poetical working men are not so scarce as they were in days gone by , and it may concern the world but little that another has poured his heart in song ; but , to us and to those who have lived and laboured in poverty , it has a mighty meaning , a deep and solemn significance . We do not quarrel because the daisy is not a rose , and the lily of the valley is not dashed withthe tulip ' s fiery hues ; wo accept all thankfully and

      joyfully . We have one regret , that the book under notice contains so little—an unusual feeling on reading books of verse in general . We should say the author has derived more inspiration from the * Purgatory of Suicides' than from Burns , for we frequently detect the magnificent mrl which rings out in the rhythm of that poem . But he must get out of ' Purgatory ' into the heave ? of Shelley ' s Lyrics , and the poems of Tennyson , and Mrs . B . Browning . The * Epoch of Revolution , ' and a ' Retrospect and Prospect' cont & in some noble poetry , pregnant with the bravest fient imeate .

      The chief faults of these poems are , a lack of intense and fiery earnestness , and a carelessness in the rh ythm , which a little more care in composition fould obviate . The following lines , with which * e must conclude , are very beautiful , and have a flowing and sustained melody worth y of that master of music , Keats , who saw deeper into the mystery of verse and the plasticity of the heroic stanza than any of the modern poets : —

      "WHY GAZE UPON TIIE GROTJXD ?" Jft j gaze upon the ground and darkling grope inrough thy brief span of years , and moil and mope , | ant out from all tbe beauty and the wonder , Jwain thee , and above , and " round , and under ? y »? wilt thou sink , with little cares outworn , ^ " 1 die away before thou art full born ? i ** up , look up—thy hope is not in dost ; J * ° fe op , and reach thy native self august ! **» what kind stars and influences benign

      . „ *Ee Wnenindepenflenee Of Princi Ple ...

      Bend over thee ! What heritage is thine Of power and glory present aud to be ! What worlds on worlds await thy sovereignty ! What crowning triumphs and what trophies gay Are thine to achie ve ; and what a long array Of willing servitors thy steps attend , And own thee lord , and at thy bidding bend ! Look up , look up—thy hope is not in dust ; Look up , and reach thy native self august ! Still the all-hallowing heaven is overhead , And the eternal flowers around are spread , And young delights fresh as the hours come forth , And grace and sweetness ever have new birth . And still the lovely forms of ancient days , Made lovelier by time , illume thy ways :

      Still flow the primal founts of all the glory , And loveliness enshrined in song and story . And mystic shapes and voices haunt the deeps Of air and sea ; and Freedom's spirit leaps From height to height exulting ; and tbe swell Of Love ' s great heart is still invincible . And the full soal of melody outpours Entrancing utterance that unlocks the stores Of the inmost breast , and echoes back tfce strains Of years far gone—songs piped on pastoral plains At morn and eve ; and clarion-peals that fired Brave hearts with martial daring , and inspired Heroic scorn of death : and melting tones Of lute , soft lmguishing delicious moans Of love-sick maidens in the twilight dim : These , and the everlasting choral hymn

      Of woods and winds , and the mysterious hum , Upgatbered of all human voices , come Through sounding caves and down the gentle vales Of mellowing time , and fill the evening gales With meanings strange and throbbing ecatacies . Ministrant spirits guardian influence ? , Embosom thee ; and wondrous charms and spells Circle thy steps and soothest oracles Unfold new lore of life in speech replete With olden wisdom ; ever dost thou meet Heralds of coming gorfd ; even in bare nooks And murkiest depths , bright visions , kindly looks , Or tones of song or glimpses of the sky , Or forms of gentle grace in passing by . Bring gracious messages from sovereign powers ; And gild the gloom , and cheer the drooping hours .

      Thou wast not born to be thy spirit ' s tomb . And in the dark thy life-lease to consume ; Thou wast not born o ' er desert ' sands to fare , And pass away in clouds of dust and care . Beauty and Love , and Hope , the eternal One , For thee hath waited since the world begun , With blessings garlanded she waits e ' en now : The thoughts of Time repose upon her brow ; Iu her sole form are blended all tho graces Of fairest things ; tbe smiles of all sweet faces Beam in her aspect . ; music ' s thousand tongues . She speaks withal ; the charmed air prolongs From earliest time the lovely words she saith ; In her soft breathings is the mingled breath Of all earth ' s summers ; and the throbs intense Of all true hearts compose the mighty sense Wherewith her bosom heaves;—and she surrenders All , all . to thee ; and clothes thee with her splendours Tea blends thee with her being ! She is thine , And thou art tier's—tho life and end of her design .

      Our 23m*Anb=Mt Portrait ®Alto

      OUR 23 M * anB = Mt portrait ® alto

      Michael Ruytek. The Ancestors Of This Il...

      Michael Ruytek . The ancestors of this illustrious seaman were originally of Bergen-Opzoom . His grandfather occupied a small farm in the vicinity of that town ; his father was first a tailor , aud afterwards a drayman at Flushing . Michael Ruyter was born at Flushing , in 1 G 07- In his youngest years he displayed the dawnings of future greatness . His strength and activity rendered

      him formidable to all his school fellows . One day when one of the highest steeples in Flushing was repairing , the dauntless boy got upon the scaffold , and clambering thence , bestrid the top . The spectators from below trembled at his perilous situation , and the workmen , who did not perceive the circumstance , took away the ladder and scaffolding . Everyone thought him lost ; but with astonishing presence of mind and great dexterity , he broke some slates with the heel of his shoe , and ascended safely .

      When he was old enough to work , his father sent him to a ropemaker'fi yard , where he earned the magnificent sum of threepence per day . His temper , however , was so turbulent that he was discharged ; when , determining to go to sea , he prevailed upon the mate of a ship to take him on board , on the 26 th of December , 1618 . Ruyter was then only eleven years of age ; but he exhibited such proofs of courage and activity , that he was allowed the same pay as the most able sailors ; and at the siege of Bergen-Opzoom , in 1622 , being then not fifteen , he acted , with great ability , as one of the gunners of the fleet , whom the States General had despatched for the defence of that celebrated fortress .

      Soon after , being then a boatswain , he was one of the first to board a Spanish vessel , and received a dangerous wound on his head with an espantoon . The ship in which he served was afterwards taken by a Spanish one of superior force . Landed with the other prisoners , he found means to escape ; but , in returning home through France , he was obliged to beg his bread . He then entered on board a merchantman , and took great pains to perfect himself in the art of navigation . In 1631 , he married Maria Veltcrs , who died ten months after . He was now a pilot , and in that capacity he made several voyages to Greenland aud to Terra Magellanica .

      In 163 ( 5 , he married Cornelia Engels , of Flushing . The following year he commanded a privateer j but had to leave it in consequence of the mutiny of his crew . The four following years he made many successful voyages to Brazil and the West Indies . In 1641 , the Dutch having sent a fleet of twenty men of war to the assistance of the Portuguese , the Prince of Orange promoted Rnyter to be captain in this squadron , with the rank of Rear-Admiral . Gysels , the Commander-in-Chief , fell in with the Spanish fleet , of twenty-four sail , off Cape St . Vincent ' s . An engagement ensued , which lasted above six hours , and ended with equal loss on both sides . Ruyter was everywhere in the hottest of the contest , and his conduct excited universal admiration .

      After this , Ruyter resumed command of an armed merchant ship . While on a voyage to America , in 1643 , he descried a Spanish man-of-war , of superior force , from which he endeavoured to escape . The Spaniard , however , came up with . him , and fired his whole broadside , with an intention of sinking him . In this emergency , Ruyter so exerted himself that he at length succeeded in sinking the man-of-war . His humanity now appeared as conspicuous as his courage . A great number of the vanquished crew were taken on board . Among these was the captain , to whom Ruyter said : * Would you have treated me and my people thus V * No , ' answered the Spaniard ; ' I intended to have drowned you all . ' Ruyter , enraged at this answer , ordered all the Spainards to be thrown into the sea ; but the captain having apologised for his brutal speech , the order was countermanded .

      His second wife having died in 1651 , in the beginning of tbe next y ear he married Anne Von Gelder , the widow of the captain of a merchant ship , who had lately died in Martinico . This lady , apprehensive that a similar accident might deprive her of Ruyter , whom she tenderly loved , made him promise that he would go no more to sea . But was * having now broke out between England and Holland , our naval hero found it impossible to keep hia resolution . In this war , Ruyter , like another Cincinatus , was called forth by the pressing instances of his country . On the 27 th of August , 1652 , he defeated an English

      squadron , commanded by Sir George Ascoutb . In several subsequent engagements , Ruyter showed himself worthy of being the second to Van Tromp , and the antagonist of the heroic Blake . Ruyter ' a great services were rewarded with the rank of Vice-Admiral of Holland , under the College of Admiralty , at Amsterdam ; and the war was terminated in 1654 . In 1655 , Ruyter was sent with a small squadron into the Mediterranean , to chastise the piratical States of Barbary . In 1656 , he took a Turkish bark commanded by the famous Spanish outlaw Arraand de Bias , a man guilty of the most fearful crimes , and whom Ruyter caused to be instantly hanged .

      The same year he was sent into the Baltic to observe the war between Gustavus of Sweden and the Republic of Poland , and afterwards he was again sent against the pirates of Barbary . In 1657 , the States General , having some differences with the Court of Portugal , Ruyter was ordered to cruise off the Tagus , where he had the good fortune to capture part of the rich fleet from Brazil . In 1659 , he was again sent into the Baltic to assist the Danish King , whose territories had been invaded byCharles X , King of Sweden . He soon afterwards compelled the belligerents to conclude a treaty of

      Michael Ruytek. The Ancestors Of This Il...

      peace . For his services , the King of Denmark gave him a pension of 800 crowns , and * ennobled' him and all his posterity . Sailing on the Zuyderzee , in his voyage from Ulie to Amsterdam , the vessel he was on board was run down by another and sunk . The Vice-Admiral had the presence of miud to seizo hold of some rigging , and kept fast to it until assistance was fortunately obtained . Under pretence of a donation from the King of

      Portugal , the English seized the Dutch possessions on the coast of Africa . Orders were immediatel y given to Ruyter , to sa . il with , twelve sVnps of war to recover them . He appeared before the Isle of Goree on the 22 nd of October , 1664 , and compelled the English to evacuate it . He so effectuall y executed his orders to make reprisals on the English , that he soon dispossessed them of all their new acquisitions on the Guinea Coast , except Cape Corse . On tbe 2 nd of March , 1665 , he sailed for the West Indies .

      Ruyter arrived at Barbadoes on the 25 th of April , and entered the Bay on the first of tho following month ; but he received such a warm reception that he was fain to beat a retreat . He then sailed for Newfoundland , where he took six ships . Being now incommoded by the number of his prisoners , he gave them three small vessels with provisions for a limited time . On receiving intelligence of these occurrences , the English declared war against the Dutch on the 22 ud of February , 1665 . The first engagement during this war was on the 3 rd ef June , between tho English fleet , of 114 sail , commanded by the Duke of

      York , and the Dutch fleet , of nearly equal force , headed by their Admiral-in-Chief , Opsdam . In the heat of action , when engaged in close fight with the Duke of York , Opsdam ' s ship blew up . The Lieutenant-Admiral Cortinaer , being also killed in the beginning of the engagement , and his pilot having suffered his ship to drive to leeward , as if without a rudder , such consternation was spread in the Dutch fleet , that they fled towards their own coast . Van Tromp alone , with his squadron , bravely sustained the efforts of the English , and protected the rear of his countrymen . The vanquished lost a great number of ships , burnt , suuk , or taken ; the victors only one .

      A second fleet was about to be entrusted to Van Tromp , when Ruyter arrived in the Texel on the 8 * h of August . The joy which the safe arrival of Ruyter inspired , was in proportion to the apprehensions that had been entertained of his being taken by a squadron of seventy English men-of-war that had been on the look out for him . But the ability and admirable conduct of this great seaman were fully equal to the danger . The States General assembled immediately , appointed him Lieutenant-Admiral General of Holland , and invested him with the chief command of the fleet . They sent him his commission on the 11 th of August , and as soon as hereceived it , he set out for the Texel . He was saluted by a discharge of artillery from tho fort ol Delfzyl , and received the same honours in every town through which ho passed .

      Ruyter sailed from the Texel on the 29 th of May 1666 , with a fleet of seventy-six sail , in order to effect a junction with a French squadron of forty men-of-war , which had sailed from Toulon , under the command of the Duke of Beaufort , and was now generally supposed to be entering tho channel . That precious pair of rascals , George Monk aud Prince Rupert , commanded tbe English fleet of seventy-four sail . The buttle that ensued is one of the most memorable that ire read of in history ; whether we consider its long duration , or tho valour and desperation with which it was fought . On the first day Vico-Admiral Sir William Berkeley , leading the van of tho

      English fleet , fell into the thickest of tho Dutch , and being overpowered , his ship was taken . He himself was found dead iu his cabin , all covered with blood . The English had the weather gage ; but as the wind blew so hard that they could not use their long tier , they derived but small advantage from this circumstance . The Dutch shot , however , fell chiefly on their sails , and rigging ; and few . ships were suuk , or much damaged . Chain shot was at that time a now invention , commonly attributed to de Wit . Sir John Harman fought desperately on that day . The Dutch Admiral , Everty , was killed in engaging him . Night parted the combatants .

      Next day the weather was more moderate , and the combat became more steady and more terrible . Ruyter and Van Tromp , rivals in glory , and enemies from faction , exerted themselves in mutual emulation ; but Ruyter had the advantage of disengaging and saving that great officer , who , having rushed into the thickest of the English with five ships only , was surrounded and in imminent danger of being taken . Van Tromp lost almost all his officers and men ; one of his five ships was burnt , and the other four being totally disabled , Ruyter was obliged to send them away , and to have them towed to the Texel . Sixteen fresh shi ps j oined the Dutch fleet during the action , and the English were so shattered that their fighting ships were reduced to twenty-eight , and they found themselves

      obliged to retreat towards their own coast . The Dutch followed them , and were on the point of renewing the combat , when a calm , which came a little before nig ht , prevented , for that time , any further slaughter . Tho Dutch writers * say that in this dreadful engagement tho English directed their tire chiefl y at Ruyter . His main top-mast being shot away , fell on board with the flag and pendant . His ship being also disabled in other respects , he immediately sent the pendant on board Lieutenant-Admiral Van Nes , with orders to hoist it over his flag , and to act as Commander-in-chief , till his ship could be repaired . He then dropped a little to leeward of his fleet , enjoining Van Nes to continue the combat with unrivalled ardour .

      Next morning tlie English were obliged to continue their retreat . At two o'clock the Dutch came up with them , and as the English were joined by another flwet under Prince Rupert , on the following morning the battle began with more equal force , and with the same obstinate valour . After a long cannonading the fleets came to close action , and continued to engage with great fury till separated by a mist . The English having suffered greatly , seized this opportunity to retire into their harbours .

      The loss of the English in these successive battles is computed at sixteen men of war , of which ten were sunk and six taken . The English writers say that the Dutch lost fifteen men of war , twenty-one cap . tains , and five thousand men . They themselves own the loss of nine ships , and there was a prodigious slaughter of their seamen ; and the loss of the English , which was very great , they compute at between five and six thousand men . j Soon after , Ruyter showed himself at the mouth of the Thames , and on the 25 th of Jul )' , Sir Thomas Allen , who commanded the white squadron of the English , attacked the Dutch van , which he completely routed , and killed the three admirals that commanded it . The Dutch fleet was completely defeated , and the morning after the battle Ruyter was forced to make a hasty retreat .

      Some time after this defeat , Ruyter was attacked by a fever , which increased to such a degree that he was obliged to repair to his family at Amsterdam , about the beginning of October , 1666 . When Ruyter had recovered , he resumed the command of the fleet , and on the 10 th of June , 1667 , appeared in the Thames , throwing the English into a state of the greatest alarm . Soon after his return from this expedition , a peace was concluded between England and the United Provinces .

      Great Britain , however , having formed an alliance with France , again declared war against Holland on the 17 th of March , 1672 . The first action in this war , was on the 28 th of May , 1672 , When Ruyter with ninety-one men of war , and forty-four fire ships , surprised the combined fleets of England and France , in Southwold Bay . This engagement , from which , after a bloody conflict , the Dutch were forced to retire , and the English not to pursue , was rendered memorable by the heroic death of the Earl of Sandwich . Ruyter in his ship , fought the Duke of York , the English commander-in-chief , with such fury for above two hours , that of two and thirty actions in which the former had been engaged he declared this combat to be the most obstinately contested . *

      On the 11 th of August following , the hostile fleets met again off the Texel . Ruyter , and under him Van Tromp , commanded the Dutch in this action as in the two former . Brankort was opposed to the French admiral D'litrees , Ruyter to Prince Rupert , and Van Tromp to Sir Edward Spragge . D'Etrees and all the French squadron kept at a diotance , 3 Vie de Michael Ruitcr , par Gerard Brandt , in fol . a Amst . 1 G 98 ; t JJasnagc , Annales dts Provinces Unles .

      Michael Ruytek. The Ancestors Of This Il...

      except Rear-Admiral Martel ; and Brankert , instead of attacking them , bore down to the assistance of Ruyter , who was engaged in furious combat with Prince Rupert . Never did Ruyter acquire greater honour . Prince Rupert having disengaged his squadron from the numerous enemies by whom he was surrounded , and having joined Sir John Chicheley his rear-admiral , who had been separated from him ' he hastened to the relief of Spragge , who was hard pressed by the squadron of Van Tromp . The ' Royal Prince , ' in which Spragge first engaged , was so disabled , that he was obliged to Wist bis flag on board the St . George ; while Van Tromp , for a like reason was obliged to quit his ship , the ' Golden Lion ' '

      and go on board the Uomet . ' The fight was renewed between them with the greatest fury . Ossury rear-admiral to Spragge , was preparing to board Van Tromp , when he saw the ' St . Georg e , ' terribly torn and in a manner disabled . Spragge was leavin-r her , in order to hoist his flag on board a third ship , and return to the charge , when a shot , which had passed through the St . George , took his boat and sunk her . The admiral was drowned , to the great regret of Van Tromp himself . In the sequel , Prince Rupert , finding that the French neglected to obey his signal to bear down upon * ho Dutch , in which case a complete victory must have ensued , steered under an easy sail towards the English coast , leaving the victory undecided .

      On the 28 th of February , l & Ji , the Dutch concluded a peace with England . The following year the Sates General sent a squadron under the command of Ruyter to assist the King of Spain in repressing an insurrection in Mess ' na , which , on the other hand , was supported by a French fleet under the command of the celebrated Du Qjuesne . Two engagements ensued , in which the French had the advantage . The loss of the Dutch was irreparable . In the last engagement the great Ruyter was mortally wounded ; arid after lingering about a week , expired on board his own ship , the Concord , in the Bay of Syracuse in the 70 th year of his age .

      All the honours that could be paid to his memory were bestowed unanimously by every department of government in the republic ; his body being brought to Amsterdam , was buried , and a magnificent monument erected over his grave , at the expense of the grat eful people .

      The Countess Of Rudolstadt. [Sequel To "...

      THE COUNTESS OF RUDOLSTADT . [ Sequel to " Consuelo . " ] Br George Sand . EPILOGUE . If wo could have procured , respecting tho existence of Albert and Consuelo after their marriage , as faithful and minute documents ns have guided us hitherto , doubtless wo could still have finished a long career by relating to you their journeys and adventures . Ifwe would trust without examination to the rare traces of their existence , which appear in the manuscripts in our possession , tve should often go astray in following them ; for contradictory proofs show them both to us upon several geographical points at once , or following certain different directions at tlie same time . But we can easily understand that they voluntarily gave occasion to these mistakes , heing at one time devoted to some

      secret enterprise , directed by tho Invisibles , and at another compelled to withdraw themselves , through a thousand dangers , from the inquisitorial police of governments . What we can affirm respecting the existence of that soul in two persons which werecallel Consue ' oand Albert is , that their love kept its promises , but that , fate cruelly belied those that it seemed to make than during those hours of rapture which they called their Midsummer Nights' Dream . Under all their misery , suffering , and persecution , they constantly returned to that secret recollection which marked in their life as it were a celestial vision , a pledge made with the Divinity for the enjoyment of a better life , after a phase of labours , trials , and sacrifices . Through the labyrinth of obscure but profound facts which ' relate to the labours , to the success , to tho dispersion , and apparent extinction of the Invisibles , we have had much

      difficulty in following at a distance the adventurous star of our young couple . Still by applying with a prudent commentary what is wanting , the following is nearly an historical abridgement of the principal events of their life , Tho reader ' s imagination will assist the recital ; and for ourselves we do not doubt that the best documents will be those which the reader will be pleased to construct for himself , in place of the narrator . For many years wo find Consuelo appearing in her pvofess on in all the capitals of Europe . Her last appearance on the stage was at Vienna towards 1760 . The cantatrice might be thirty ; she was , they say , more beautiful than in her early youth . A pure life , habits of moral calmno s and physical sobriety , had preserved her in all the power of her grace and of her talent . Some beautiful children accompanied her ; but her husbund was not known , though fame

      published that she had one , and that she had been unchangably faithful to him . Porporo , after having made several journeys into Italy , had returned into Vienna , and had produced a new opera at the Imperial theatre . Porporina filled the principal part with undisputed success , and drew tears from the whole Court . The empress deigned to be satisfied . But during the night a check followed this triumph ; the Porporina received from some invisible messenger tidings which filled her with horror and consternation . At seven in the morning , at the moment when tho empress was to be notified by the faithful valet , who was called her Majesty ' s foot-scrubbor ( inasmuch as his duty was to open tlie blinds , kindle the fire , and dust the chamber , while her Majesty woke by degrees ) , the Porporina having engaged all tho keepers of tho sacred passage by tho power of gold and the force of eloquence , presented herself at the very foot of the august sleeping chamber .

      " My friend , " said she to tho scrubber , " it is necessary that I should throw myself at the feet of the empress . Tha life of an honest man is in danger , the honour of a family is compromised . A great crime will perhaps bo committed in a few days if I do not see her Majesty this very instant . 1 know that your aro incorruptible , but I know also that you are a generous and magnanimous man . Every one says so ; you have obtained favours which the proudest courtiers did not dare to solicit . " " Goodness of Heaven ! is it you whom I at last see once more ; 0 my dear mistress ! " cried the scrubber , ' clasping his hands , and letting fall his feather broom . " Karl ! " cried Consuelo in her turn ; " thanks , O my Gotll I am saved , Albert has a good angel even in this palace . "

      " Albert' ? AlbertTreturned Karl , "is it he who is in danger ? In that case enter quickly , signora , even though I should be dismissed—and , God knows , I should regret my place , for I can do some good in it , and 1 servo our holy csuse better than I have yet been able to do cl-ewhere . But Albert ! Tho Empress is a good woman when sho does not govern , " added ho in a low ' voice . " Enter , you will be be supposed to have preceded me . Let the blame fall upon these scamps of valets who are not worthy to serve a queen , for they tell her nothing but lies . " Consuelo entered , and the Empress , on opening her heavy eyes , saw her kneeling , and , as if prostrate , at the foot of her bed . '' Who is that ? " cried Maria Theresa , drawing the bod covering over her shoulders with an accustomed nvijosty which had in it nothing affected , and rising , as proud as formidable in her night-oap . and on her pillow , as if she had been seated on the throlio , with the crown on her head and tho sword by her side .

      " Madam , " replied Consuelo , " it is an humble subject , an unfortunate mother , a dispairing wife , who , on her knees , asks of you tho life and liberty of her husband . " At this moment Karl entered , feigning a great surprise . " Unhappy ! " cried he , pretending horror and fury ; who has allowed you to enter here ?" "I compliment you , Karl , " said the Empress , " on your vigilance and fidelity . Never before did such a thing happen in my life , as to be awakened with a start , by such insolence . " '' Let your Majesty but say the word , " relumed Karl boldly , and I will kill this woman before your eyes , " Karl knew the Empress well ; he knew that she liked to perform deeds of mercy before witnesses , ami that sho could be a great queen and a great woman even to her valets de chambre .

      " That is too much zeal ! " replied she , with a smile that was atonco majestic and maternal . " Retire , and allow this poor weeping woman to speak . I am not in danger from any of my own subjects . What do you wish , madam ? But is it you , my beautiful Porporina ? You will ruin yourself , if you sob in that manner . " " Madam , " replied Consuelo , " I was married before the Catholic church ten years since . I have not a single fault against honour with which to reproach myself . I have legitimate children , whom I educate in virtue . I dare therefore—" " In virtue , I know , " said the Empress , "but not in religion . You are chaste I have been told , but vou never go to church . Still , speak . What misfortune has befallen you ?"

      " My husband , from whom I have never been separated , resumed the supplicant , " is nowfat Prague , and I know not by what infernal machination he has been arrested , thrown into a dungeon , accused of wishing to take a name and a title which do not belong to him—of wishing to dispoil an inheritance ; of being , in fact , an intriguer , a spy ; arrested on this ground of high treason , and condemned to perpetual imprisonment , to death , perhaps , at this moment . " "At Prague ? animposter ? " said the Empress calmly , " I have a story like that in the reports of my secret police . What is your husband ' s name ? for you ' eantatrices do not bear the names of your husbands . " " His name is Liverani . "

      "That is if . Well , my child , I am grieved to learn that you are married to such a wretch . That Liverani is in f ; ict i chevzlier d'industric , or a crazy man , who , owing to a perfect resemblance , wishes to pass for a Count do Rudolsfcadt , who died ten years since , as has been ascertained . He presented himself as such to ah old canoness de Rudolatadt , whose nephew ho daros to call himself , and whose inhervtenoe he would certainly have obtained , if , at the moment of making her wili in his favour , the poor lady , who had fallen into . second childhood , had not been deliered from hia arts by well-intentioned persons devote I to

      The Countess Of Rudolstadt. [Sequel To "...

      the family . He was arrested , which was right . I can conceive your sorrow , but cannot remedy it . The trial mutt proceed . Jf it be decided this man , as I wish to believe , ia insane , he will be placed in an hospital , where you can see him and nurse him . But if he be only a swindler , as I fear , it will be necessary to restrain him a little more severely ' in order to prevent his disturbing the po sessions of the true heiress of Jliidolstadt , a baroness Amelia , who , after some youthful errors , is on the point of being married to one of my officers , I like to persuade myself that yon aro ignorant of your husband ' s conduct , and that you are under an illusion respecting his character ; otherwise , I should consider your importunities as \ orv much misplaced . But I pity you too much to wish to " humiliate vou—you can retire . * '

      Consuelo saw that she had nothing to hope , and that by attempting to establish the identity of Albert and Liverani she would render his cause more and more unfavourable . Sho roso and walked towards tho door , pale and ready to faint . Maria Theresa , who had followed her with . 1 scrutinising eye , hud pity on bur , and recalling hoc , " You are much to bo pitiod , " said she to her , in a more sympathising voice . ' All this ia not your fault , I am convinced . Uu calm , and take care of yourself . Tho matter shall bo conscientiously examined ; and if your husband does not wish to destroy himself . I will so arrange that he shall be adjudged insane . If you can communicate with him , give him so to understand . That is my advice . " " I will follow it , and I bless your Majostv . But without your protection I can do nothing . Mv husband is imprisoned at Prague , and I am engaged ' at tho imppriil theatre at Vienna . If your Majestv does not degn to grant mo a cougc , and to give mo an order , that f may communicate with my husbandwho is ah secret ' * —

      , " ^ qu ask a groat deal ! I do not know if M . do K > unitz will bo willing to giant you that conge , and if it will be possible to fill your place at the theatre . We will seo about it in a few days . " "In a fow days ' . " cried Consuelo , recovering her courage . " But in a few days it will be too late ! I mus $ depart on the very instant . " " That is enough , " said the Empress . Your persistence will be injurious to you , if you display it before judges less calm and less indulgent than I am . Go . Mademoiselle . " Consuelo entrusted her children to tho Canon —— , and , without troubling herself about her conge , caused post horses to be harnessed to her carriage . But at the

      moment of entering it , she was delayed by Porporo , whom she had not wished to see , anticipating a storm , nnd who was frightened at her departure . He feared , in spite of the promiseses she made to him with a half-constrained air , that she would not return in time for next day ' s opera . " Who tho devil thinks of going into tho country in the depth of winter . " said be , with ' a nervous trembling , half the effect of age , half of anger nnd fear . " If you get a cold , my success is compromised ; and everything was going on so well I don ' t understand you ! Wo triumphed yesterday , and you travel to-day !" This discussion made Consuefo Jose a quarter of an hour , and gave time to the managers of tho theatre , who were already informed , to send notice to the authorities . A

      picquet ot iNulans enme up and ordered tho horses to be taken out . Consaelo was requested to re-enter , and a guard was placed about her nouso to prevent her escaping . She was attacked by fover . Sho did not perceive it , and continued walking to and fro in her apartment , a prey to a kind of distraction , and answering only by gloomy and fixed looks to the irritat ngquestions of Porporo aud the manager . She did not go to bed , and passed tbe nigbfc in prayer . The next morning sho appeared calm , and went to the rehearsal by order . Her voice had never been more beautiful , but sho had absences of mind which terrified Porporo . " 0 cursed marriage ! 0 infernal madness of love ! murmured he in the orchestra , lean ng upon his harpsichord , as if he would have broken it . Old Porporo was still the same ; he would willinglv have said : " Perish all the lovers and all the husbands In the world , rather than mv opera !"

      In the evening , Consuelo mado her toilet as usual , and presented herself upon the stage . She took her place , and her lips articulated a word—but not a sound issued from her chest ; she had lost her voice . Tho stupificd public rose en masse . Tbo courtiers , who began to know something vaguely of her attempt at flight , declared that it was an intolerable caprice . There were cries , shouts , applauses , at each fresh effort of tho canta . trice . Sho tried to speak , but could not make a single word heard . Still she remained standing and sad , not thinking of the loss of her voice—not feeling humiliated by the indignation of her tyrants , but resigned and proud as an innocent victim condemned to an unjust punishment , and

      thanking God for having sent this sudden infirmity , which would permit her to leave the stage and rejoin Albert . It was proposed to the Empress to put the refractory artist in prison , in order to muko her recover her voice and willingness . Her Majesty had been angry for a moment , and the courtiers thought to gratifyiicr by overwhelming the accused . But Maria Theresa , who sometimes permitted crimes by which she profitted , did not like to muko people suffer unnecessarily . " Kannitz , " said she to her Prime Minister , " let a permit of departure bo given to that poor creature without further questions . If her extinction of voice be a ruse de guerre , it is , at least , an act of virtue . Few actresses would sacrifice an hour of triumph to a life of conjugal love . "

      Consuelo , provided with all the necessary powers , at last departed , ill as before , but without perceiving it . Here we again lose the thread of events . Albert ' s trial might havebeen celebrated ; it was made secret . It lasted five or six years , at the end of which time Albert was driven from the Austrian States , as a dangerous madman , by the special order of the EmprcsB . Prom this epoch , it is certain that an obscure and more poor life was tho lot of our couplo . They recalled their youngest children . Haydn and the Canon tenderly refused to give up the two eldest , who were educated under the eyes and at the expense of

      those faithful friends . Consuelo had irrevocably lost her voice . It appears too certain that captivity , inaction , and sorrow , at the suffering ? experienced hy his companion , had a > ain siiakari Alberts reason . Still it doej not Appear thai their love had become less tender , their souls loss proud , or their conduct less pure . The Invisibles had disappeared under persecution . The work had been ruined , especially by the Charlatan ? , who had speculated upon the enthusiasm of new ideas , and the love of the marvellous . Persecuted anew as a freemason , in the countries of intolerance and despotism , Albert must have taken refuge in France Ot England .

      Hero there is a grra ; gnp which our imagination cannot supply . However , towards 1774 , we find the couple wandering in tho forest of Bohemia . This is the last we have heard of Albert nnd Consuelo ; for afterwards , of their life and of their death ,, wo know absolutely nothing .

      A Fountain Of Honour We Read In The " Dr...

      A Fountain of Honour We read in the " Droit , "— " Our readers rn : iy remember tho history of tho famous impostor who represented himself to be Count Pontis de Ste . Helene , and who played his part with such perfection that Louis XVIII ., keen as ho was , was deceived by him . The polico have just laid hands on an adventurer , who promised , il allowed to go on , to equal the high deeds of Cogniard . this individual pretended to be the last scion of the illustrious family of Gonzague . He called himself Duke of Mantua , Prince of the Roman Empire , Officer of the Legion of Honour , Grand Ollieor of the Order of Stadislaus , Knight of the Order of Military valour of Poland , Grand Master of ' the Order of the Redemption , Lieutenant of tho Grand Mas- tcr of the Supreme Order of the Four Emperors of Oer- many , Protector of the Orders of Merit of Prussia , and of 1 tho Lion of Uolstein , & o . In 1845 the pretended Prince de a

      Gonzague lived at Paris in great style , and was received by j high personages , to whom he had exhibited papers which ! left them no doubt of the quality which he assumed . Underr tho last reign he solicited tho title of general in the servicee of Franco , and for some time it was in contemplation to appoint him Colonel of tho Foreign Legion . Meanwhile heob--tained his entries at Court . However , it was discoveredi that under the namo of Count Manizouski , a Polish refugee , ' , the . soe-disant Duko of Mantua received an allowance froral the French Government . That discovery brought disgraca b on him , and ho thought it prudent £ 0 remain in the shade . > . A few days back a brilliant equipage drew up before the B grand entrance of the Elysce . From it alighted a gentle- - man covered with orders , who declared his name to be the e Prince do Gonzctgue , and asked to seo the Princo President t on the instant . General Roguet , feeling some suspicions 8

      from tho tone and manner of tho stranger , replied that the 9 Chief of the State could not at that moment receive nnyy one ; ho would , however , take care to mention to him thaia visit thus made . As soon as the visitor had withdrawn theie General sent to the Prefecture of Police to ask for informa-ition concerning him . An inquiry was at once instituted , 1 , and the result was that a warrant was issued against him . i . A perquisition having been made on Wednesday at his apart-1-ment , in tho rue Montabor , a discovery was made of thoio nieaifs by which the sham Prince do Gonzague supplied theie expense of his luxurious existence . Ho had taken on hiin-n- ' self the right to confer all the orders mentioned above , forbr which he caused large sums to be paid . It was thus that hehei decorated with three crosses , for a considerable suman en « n-

      , gineer of tho Place de la Bastille , who had acquired a largegei fortune in manufacturing machinery . Tho illustrious dfg-fgnifcnrv did not confine himself to selling titles and crosseaesi to ; bonourable parsons ; he gave them also to individualalfii who had been disgraced by judicial condemnation . He ha < Ja ( J ! metamorphosed into a baron another adventurer who hadad ! been liberated from tbo prison Mazas , and who , by his asassurnnce , succeeded in making a number of dupes . It is is : supposed that it is by tho aid of papers purloined from ththu succession of the Gonzaguo family , of which no inembeben now exists , that the adventurer who has just been tirresterteti was able for fifteen years to abuse the public credutityity His trial will , without doubt , bring to light many ouriouoUu facts . "

      Royal and Mimtaht Collision . — Tho young officerWi adventure with Queen Chariotto is not very flattering t ? tw him . He actually ran up against that august personage bb ai sho was walking out iu the morning to bathe ; to savo himimi self from falling , he encircled hor iu his arms ; and Ototfc serving that the person whom he had so embraced was " " little old woman with a small black silk bonnet , exactlctll similar to those now commonly worn by poor and aged fd f <'< males , and tho remainder of her person was covered by » y short , plain , scarlet cloak , " he exclaimed , " Hollo , ol oil lady , I very nearly had you down . " Tho ( Jacen ' s indign ' . gnu tion was no slight matter , as but at all nv / mlunllv softenedand on the lis l )\ but

      , hem of her garment , in the Ger ] K ? no , no , you may kiss my bant ; fery rule—fery rute inteot ; mm go . "—Adventures and Good Recipe . —The best coug fe 8 to drop the practice of dressidgt ' inn the night air . j

      May Be^Jsuoposed ; Offebaefratifttotnpio...

      may be ^ jsuoposed ; offeBAefratifttotnPio kiss ^ iiT fMiiqnj ^ he ^ aaid ^ V IS ^ 0 'f ^ u ' ? rp ^ e ^ m 6 re . pftrefuefui wfe fprglff , ;< ihere , ' j , ybuv mi RecollectffispfxColo ^ fldntlmtiiltat , h | a ro ' p ^ for \ young >} aafe 8 | hiri . wh ' oa taejjgpt in > ' £ . ; 7 ^^ . i \ xJ q may bo ^ upppsed ; a 1 fltfejjdj & atdORi ' hg to kiss t Mf fMiiqnj-s ' he ^ aid ^ V J ^ o % u ? rpee ~ m 6 re . p « Heft rn ' i fpTglfi ^ , ; 4 here , ' j , yburJ m ' ffiiptltfoltyeifLan'bin'ato ig . h ^ ro ' p ^ for ^ oun ^ aafes dgi f hin ' j wh ' oa tttejjgpt ii > t : ' i * " ¦ - «'«» . { 1 "•;¦; ' cj !* WiZAVl - £ ' ¦ & . //•¦ <• ' ,. ; '* . ¦ * ,, i * ' - " - rr-

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 7, 1852, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_07081852/page/3/