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Northern Star (1837-1852), 7th August 1852, Edition 1 of 2, Page 3

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      t , « a age wheninaepenfenBe Sf principle consists in having no windpie on which to depend , and f ree-thinklng , not in thinking freeiy . bnt in being freo from thinkiBg ; --m an age flhen men will hold any thing except their toadies , keep anjthtog except their word , and lose nothinjr patiently , except their character ; to improve snch an age mart be difficult , to instruct it dangerous , and he stands no chance of amending it who cannot at the same time amuse it . FmsxiiXGS . By "William "Whitmore . London : John Chapman .

      Theke is hardly a spot in the wide world bo barren , ragged , and forlorn , but some flower "will 'blossom into life . Among the silent solitudes of Alpine snows , the watery wildernegs of old ocean , the rocks and the ruins , and even amid the aried waBtes of the desert , some type of loveliness will start up from Earflft inner sea of Beauty , and Bpring into life as a Flower ! And thus it is with Poetry , the Flower of Humanity ! It will continually be springing , in its own natural way , in the most bleak and barren byeways of the world , as well as in the richest and most cultivated pastures . The winds of Heaven , or the birds of Godwill drop the seed , and the flower will

      , follow even though sown amid the bushes and brambles of the obscurest hamlet , or in the crevices of the city pavement Not that the wilderness of burning sand , or the sterile rock , or the eternal snows , are the places best calculated to rear flowers of most exquisite fragrance , and beaaty ; neither are , poverty , and penury , with their hell of torture , and daily wrestle with grim death , the fittest soil 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 it , and time and opportunity to unfold it . If it lack these it must remain dwarfed and stunted , and

      perhaps wither and die . In Poverty a man is in deep and stormy waters , and it needs a bold heart and a strong arm to battle with them and keep bis 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 , and 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 fiVht 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 ho dwells apart . It is not while the cisterns of Sorrow are rail that the sound of the falling drops are to be heard ; nor can the hand and lyre of the poet he flooded with melody while his heart is full to burstin ? , and yet peut up as though a grave-stone were rolled upon it . None but those who have suffered and grown strong , and have " wTHTTEN poetry in Poverty , can tell what it means . Yet , in spite of Poverty and its evil influences , in spite of Penury

      and it 3 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 poor working men will break into singing , showing that they too possess the magic to trim the divine lamp of Poetry in the hearts and homes of the suffering poor . Working Men have learned to hymn the prayer of the people for nobler growth and higher development , and to write Death' on the palace-floor of "Wrong and 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 glorious gilmpses of the wondrous significance of Life , and the lofty purpose of their Bublime destiny , in song * which Tyranny quakes to hear , and which the world will not willingly 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 . Never 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 and rockey ground , ringing out the people ' s political , moral , and 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 , be 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 and 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 , and the spirit of freedom effervescing at the heart of them . The Serf was made noble in Robert Burns . He hoped our hopes , wept our tears , despaired our despairs , and his heart was pnlsed by all our living impulses . The people lived in the large brave heart of Robert Burns , and we have taken him to Ii 7 e for ever and aye in the heart of the people . Since Glorious Burns we have had many a true singer in the ranks of the Working Glasses who have seen that their mission has been that , of hand-and-heart

      workers in the strife . We point with pride to John Clare , the peasant ; Robest Nichol , the Scottish herd boy ; Thomas Cooper , the Milton of Chartism ; Pr ince , and Thom . and many another people ' s poet of the lineage of Buras . And here is another to be added to the grand company , though , as yet , but in the 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 be 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 , and 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 ofv « rse 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 daBhed with the tulip ' s fiery hues ; we accept all thankfully and joyfall y . Wo 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 dim . which rings out in the rhythm J > f that poem . But he must get out of ' Pcbgatoky ' into the heaves of Shelley's Lyrics , and the poems of Tennyson , and Mrs . B . Browning . The * Epoch ° f Revolution , " and a ' Retrospect and Prospect' con . tain Borne noble poetry , pregnant with the bravest sentiments .

      The chief faults of these poems are , a lack of intense and fiery earnestness , and a carelessness in the rhythm , which a little more care ia composition ^ ould obviate . The following lines , with which W 6 must conclude , are very beautiful , and have * flowing and sustained melody worthy of that master of music , Keats , who saw deeper into the mystery of Terse and the plasticity of the heroic stanza than any ° f the modern poets : —

      "WHY GAZE UPON THE GROUND ?" 5 ^ J gaie upon the ground and darkling grope borough thy brief span of vears , and moil and mope , ^ ont oat from all the beauty and the wonder , Jl'thin thee , and above , and round , and under ? rn J wilt thou sink , with little cares outworn , « " 1 die away before thou art fall born ? j * P . lookup—thy hope is not in dust ; i * ° s op , and reach thy native self august ! •" t « nat kind stars and in&ueacea benign

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      Beoioret thee I What heritage is thine Of power and glory present and to be ! Wb » t worlds ou worlds await thy sotereignty I . Whtt crowning triumphs and what trophies gay Are thine to achieve ; and what a loog 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 op , and reach thy native self august ! Still the nil-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 : ^—»^ ' .. r . «_

      Still flow the primal founts of all the glory , And loveliness enshrined in song < ind story . And mystic shapes and voices haunt the deeps Of air and sea ; and Freedom's spirit leaps From height to height exulting ; and the swell Of Love ' s great heart is still invincible . And the full soul of melody outpours Entrancing utterance that unlocks the stores Of the inmost breast , and echoes back tVie strains Of years fsr gone—song 3 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 languishing delicious moans Of love-sick maidens in the twilight dim : These , and the everlasting choral hymn

      Of woods and winds , and the mysterious hum , Upgathered of all human voices , come Through sounding caves and down the gentle valea Of mellowing time , and fill the evening gale 3 With meanings strange and throbbing ecstaoies . Ministrant spirits guardian influences , 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 thon meet Heralds of coming good ; 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 toy life-lease to consume ; Thon wast not born o ' er desert sands to fare , And pass away in clouds of dust and care . Beauty and Love , and Hope , the ^ ternal One , For thee bath waited since the world begun , With blessings garlanded she waits e'en now : Tbe thoughts of Time repose upon her brow ; In her sole form are blended alt tbe graces . Of fairest things ; the smiles of all sweet faces Beam in her aspect ; music ' s thousand tongue * . 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 , nil , to thee ; and clothes thee with her splendours Yea blends thee with her being ! She is thine , And tbou art her * s—the life and end of her design .

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      Michael Ruttek . 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 , and afterwards a drayman at Flushing . Michael Ruy ter was born at Flushing , in 1607- 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 hi 3 perilous situation , and the workmen , who did not perceive the circumstance , took away the ladder and scaffolding . Everyone thought him tost ; 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 ropeinaker's yard , where he earned tbe 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 . Buy ter 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 , saiiors ; 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 Velters , who died ten months after . He was now a pilot , and in that capacity he made several voyages to Greenland and to Terra Magellanica .

      In 1636 , he married Cornelia Engels , of Flushing ; The following year he commanded a privateer , but had to leave it in consequence of the mutiny of his crevr . The four following years he made many successful voyages to Brazil and the West Indies . In 1611 , the Butch having sent a fleet of twenty men of war to the assistance of the Portuguese , the Prince of Orange promoted Ruyter to be captain in this sqnadron , with the rank of Rear-Admiral . Gysels , the Commander-in-Chief , fell in with the Spanish fleet , of twenty-fonr sail , off Cape St . Vincent ' s . An engagement ensued , which lasted above sis 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 , Kuyter 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 ? ' ' 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 the next year he married Anne Von Gelder , the widow of the captain of a merchant ship , who had lately died in llartinico . 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 war having now broke out between England and Holland , our naval hero found it impossible to keep his 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 Ascouth . In several subsequent engagements , Ruyter showed himself worthy of being the second to Van Tromp , and the antagonist of the heroic Blake . Ruyter ' s 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 Armand de Dias , a man guilty of the most fearful crimes , and whom Ruyter caused to be instantly hanged .

      The same ye . ar 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 tbe Baltic to assist the Danish King , whose territories had been invaded by Charles X , King of Sweden . He soon afterwards compelled the belligerents to conclude a treaty of

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      peace . .. For his . services , the King of Denmark gate 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 waB run down by another and sunk . The Vice-Admiral had the presence of mind to seize 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 seizpd the Dutch possessions ||]| j ]

      on the coast of Africa . Orders were immediately given to Ruyter , to sail with twelve ships of war to recoverthem . Reappeared before the IsleofGoreeon the 22 ud of October , 1664 , and compelled the English to evacuate it . He so effectually 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 .

      Ruyterarrived at Barbadoos on the 25 th of April , and entered the Bay on the first of the 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 , tbe English declared war against the Dutch on the 22 nd of February , 1665 . The first engagement this

      during war was on the 3 rd of June , between the 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 , Opsdara . In the heat of action , when engaged in close fi ght with the Duke of York , Opsdam ' s ship blow " up . The Lieutenant-Admiral Cortinaer , being also killed in the beginning of the engagement , and liis pilot having suffered his ship to drive to leeward , as if without a rudder , such consternation was Bpread in the Dutch fleet , that they fled towards their own coast . Van Tromp alone , with his aquadron . bravely

      sustained the efforts of the English , and protected the rear of his countrymeD . The vanquished lost a great number of ships , burnt , sunk , 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 tho 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 he received it , he set out for the Texel . He was saluted by a discharge of artillery from the fort of Delfzyl , and received the same honours in every town through which he 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 the channel . That precious pair of rascals , George Monk and Prince Rupert , commanded the English fleet of seventy-four sail . The battle that ensued is one of the most memorable that we read of ia history ; whether we consider its long duration , or tho valour and desperation with which it was fought . On tho first day Vice-Admiral Sir William Berkeley , leading the van of tho English fleet , fell into the thickest of the Dutch , and being overpowered , his ship was taken . He himself

      was found dead in his cabin , all covered with blood . The English had tbe weather gage ; but as the wind blew so hard that they could not use their long tier , they derived but small advantage from this circum ' - stance . The Dutch shot , however , fell chiefly on their sails , and rigging and few ships were sunk , or much damaged . Chain shot was at that time a new 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 stead y 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 shipsonly , was surrounded and in imminent danger of being taken . Van Tromp lost almost all his officers and men ; one of hia 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 ships joined the Dutch fleet during the action , and the English were so shattered that their fig ' hting 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 night , prevented , for that time , any further slaughter . The Dutch writers * say that in this dreadful engagement the English directed their tire chiefly at Ruyter . His main top-mast being shot away , fell on board with the flag and pendant . His ship beiDg also disabled in other respects , he immediately sent the pendant on board Lieutenant-Admiral Van Nea , with orders to hoist it over his flag , and to act as Commander-in-chief , till his ship could bo repaired . He then dropped a little to leeward of his fleet , enjoining Van Nes to continue the combat with unrivalled ardour .

      Next morning the 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 fleet 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 Io 3 t fifteen men of war , twenty-one captains , 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 Eng . lish , which was very great , they compute at between five and six thousand men t

      Soon after , Ruyter showed himself at the mouth of the Thames , and on the 25 th of July , Sir Thomaa 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 com ? mand 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 femer 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 . Brankert was opposed to the French admiral D'Etrees , Ruyter to Prince Rupert , and Van Tromp to Sir Edward Sprag ^ e . D'Etrees and all the French squadron kept at a distance ,

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      * Vie de Michael Ruiter , par Gerard Brandt , in fo ) . a Amst . 1698 J t JJasuage , Annajes des Provinces Uniea ,

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      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 squa . dron from the numerous enemies by whom he wVs 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 , ' ia which Spragge first engaged , was so disabled , that he was obliged to hoist his flafj 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' Comet . The fight was rehewed between them with the greatest fury . Ossury rear-admiral to Spragge , was preparing to board Van Tromp , when he saw the ' St . George , ' terribly torn and in a manner disabled . Spragge was leaving ; 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 Hie 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 , 167 ^ the Dutch concluded a peace with England . The following year the S'ates 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 Quesne . 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 ; and after lingering about a week , expired oh 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 gratoful people .

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      THE COUNTESS OF RUDOLSTADT . [ Sequel to " Consuelo . " ] Br Grorqe Sard . xhukjue . If we could have procured , respecting the existence of Albert and Uonsuelo after their marriage , as faithful and minute documents ; is have guided us hitherto , doubtless we couldstill have finished a long career by relating to you their journeys and adventures . If we would trust without examination to the rare tracos of their existence , which ap . peirin tho manuscripts in our possession , we should often go astray in following thom ; for contradictory proofs show them both to ua upon several geographical points at once or following certain different directions at the same time '

      But we can easily understand that they voluntarily gave occasion to these mistakes , being 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 respootine the existence of that soul in two persona which werecallel Consue ' o and Albert is , Uiattheir love kept its promises , but tha ; . fato cruelly boliod 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 a » it were a- celestial vision , a pledge mailo with tho 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 the dispersion , and apparent extinction , of the Invisibles , we have had much difficulty in following at a distance tho adventurous star of our young couple . Still by applying with a prudent commentary what is wanting , the following is nearly an historical abridgement of tho principal events of their life . The reader ' s imagination will assist the recital ; and for ourselves we do not doubt that the beak documents will be those which the reader will be pleased to construct for himself , in place of the narrator . For many years we find Consuelo appearing in her profes-ROn 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 calmtio s and physioal sobriety , had preserved her in all the power of her grace and of her talent . Somo beautifal children

      accompanied her ; but her husb md 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 , bad returned into Vienna , and had produced a new opera at the Imperial theatre . Porporina filled tbe prinoipal part with , undisputed success , and drew tears from the whole Court . The empress deigned to bo 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 tho moment when the empress was to be notified by the faithful valet , who was called her Majesty ' s foot-scrubbor ( inasmuch as his duty was to open the blinds , kindle the fire , and dust the chamber , while her Mnjesty woke by degrees ) , the Porporina having engaged all the keepers of the sacred passage by the 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 . Tho life of an honest man is in danger , the honour of a family is compromised . A great crime will perhaps be committed in a few days if I do not see her Majesty this very instant . I know that your are incorruptible , but I know also that you are a , generous and magnanimous man . Every one says so ; you have obtained favours which tho proudest courtiers ' did not dare to solicit . " ° Goodness of Heaven ! is it you whom I at Ia 3 fc see once move ; 0 my dear mistress ! " cried the scrubber , clasping his hands , and letting fall his feather broom . " Karl ! " cried Consuelo in her turn . ; " thanks , 0 my Qod I I am saved . Albert has a good angel even in this palace . "

      "Albert ? Albert ?" returned Karl , " is it ho who is in danger ? In that case enter quickly , signora , even though I should be dismissed—and , God kno . ws , I should regvet my . place , for . I can do somo good in it , and 1 serve our holy csuse better than I have yet been able todo el-ewhere . But Albert ! The Empress is a good woman when she 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 tho foot of heir bed . ?• Who . is that ? " cried Mnri . a Theresa , drawing the bed covering oyer her shoulders with an accustomed majesty which , had in \ t nothing affected , and rising , as proud as formidable in her night-cap , and on her pillow , as if she had been seated oh the throno , with tho crown on her head and the sword bv her side .

      " Madam , " replied Consuelo , " it ia an humble subject , an unfortunate mother , a disputing wife , who , on her knees , asks of you the life and liberty of uer 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 tho Emprcs 3 , " on your vigilance a . nd fidelity , Kever before did suoh a thing happen in my life , as to be awakened with a start , by such in-Bolenoe . ' ' Let your Majesty but say the word , " returned Kirl boldly , and I will kill this woman before your eyes , " Karl knew the Empress woll ; ho knew that she liked to perform deeds of mercy before witnesses , and that she could be a grei > t queen and a great woman even to her valets de chambrc . '

      " That is too much zeal ! " replied she , with a smile that was at once majestic and maternal . " Retire , and allow this poor weeping woman to speak . I am not in Hanger 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 Consuclo , " I was married before tho Catholic church ten years since . I have not a single fault against honour with which to reproach mysolf . I have legitimate children , whom I educate in virtue . I dare therefore—"

      " In virtue , I know , " said the Empress , "but not in roligion . You are chaste I have been told , but you never go to ohuroh . Still , speak . What misfortune has befallen you ?" " My husband , from whom I have never been separated , " resumed , the supplicant , " is nowjat Prague , and I know not by what infernal machination ho has been arrested , thrown into a dungeon , aocused 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 huaband ' a name ? for you cantatrices do not bear the names of your husbands . " " Ilis name is Liverani . " "That 13 if . Well , my child , I am grieved to learn that yon are married to such a wretch . That Liverani is in fact i chevalier d'indwtric , or a crazy man , who , owing to a perfept resemblance , wishes to pass for a Count do Rudolstadt , who died ten years since , as has been ascertained . Ho presented himself as such to an old canones 3 do Ruilolatadt , whose nephew he dates to call himself , and whose inheritence he would certainly havo obtained , if , at the moment of making her will in his favour , the poor lady , who had fallen into . . second childhood , had not , been doliered from his arts by wolUiiitentioncii persons deypto i to

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      ""Jrh ekiBiiy . Hew «»» rr «« ed > whiohwwriRhfc lonncoaoeive your gorrow , but oannot remedy it . The trial mnat proceed if jt be decided this man , as f wish to belie s insane , ho will be placed in an hospital , where you can see him and nurse him . But if ho be only a swindler , as I fear , t will be necessary to restrain him a little more severely : r , SeXiP Vr ? V \ ? > turbin S ^ e 'po-nnioni of the oZvmff f ° i IllldoIs . tac't , a baroness Amelia , who , after one of mJ IS emrS T V" P ° int of bein ? >"'^ t <> ?™« T f fficer 2- J lrtt , Penuado mvrelf that you are TmSt ™ J ° Z > t t r luct ' that to * are under 11 it ? ? P eotitl & his character ; otherwise . I should consider your importunities as Very much misplaced . Bufc 1 pity you too much to wish to humiliate you-you can

      Consuelo saw that she had nothing to hope , and that by he wo ui ^ . Inf ta b ' 19 il the identit - Albcrt * WW » ni - S . a ™ I a " . J Causo more and mora unfavourable . ftSnt M « ll Th lkGd tOw , ard , V , ' - P ° ™ "" I * *• ! £ ? . !«» k i ™ | wll ° hRd fo " ° ™ d her with a acrutinisingoye , had pity on her , nnd recalling her ' Youiro «?« lm » m 1 ' " > 0 » r *>< Iamconrtnbod . Bo calm , and take care of yourself . The matter shall ba wiTPh ! 7 e f- minZd ' ' aild if J > our husband dooVnot wish to destroy himself , I will so arrange that ho shall bo adjudged insane . If you can communicate " 1 th liiu , give him so to understand . Tim is mv advice . " " I will follow it , and I bless tour Majesty . But without your protection I can do nothing My husband is imtheatre at \ ienna . If your Majesty does not dVgn to grant mo a conge , and to give mo an order , tint l may communicate with my husbandwho is an secret

      •'—, " You aak a groat doal ! I do not know if M . ite K unitz will be willing to grant you that conge , and if it will bo possible to fill your place at the theatre . Wo will sea about it in a few days . " "In a few days I" criod Consuolo , reoovorinjr her courage . But in a few days it will be too late ! I mn * t 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 nnd less indulgent than I am . Go , Mademoi-SuUCi * Consuelo entrusted her children to tho Cation and , without troubling herself about her conge , cnusod post horses to be harnessed to her carriage . But nt the moment ofentenngit , sho wns delayed bv Porooro . whom

      sue had not wished to see , anticipating a storm , and who was frightened at her departure . He feared , in spite of the promiseses she made to him with , a half-constrained air , <« wu ™ uld not return in time for next day ' s opera . Who the devil thinks of going into tbe ooWtry in the depth of winter . " said he , with a nervous trembling , half the effect of age , half of angor and fear . " If vou get a cold , my success is compromised ; and everything was going on so well . I don ' t understand you ! We triumphed yesterday , and you travel to-day ! " ^

      This discussion mado Consuelo lose a quarter of an hour , and gave time to the managors of the theatre , who wero already informed , to eond notice to tho authorities . A picquet of Isulans camo up and ordered the horses to be taken out . Consiielo was requested to re-enter , and a g \\ avil was pkced about her nouse to prevent her escaping , bhe was attacked by fever . She did not perceive it , and continued walking to and fro in her apartment , a prey to a km . of distraction , and answering only by gloomy and nxea looks to tho irritatngquestions of Torporo and the manager . She did not go to bed . and passed tho nioht

      P rayer - ihe next morning sho appeared calm , and went to tho rehearsal by order . Her voice had never been more beautiful , but she had absenoes of mind which terrified Porporo . ' ¦ 0 cursed marriage ! 0 infernal madness of love ! murmured he in the orchestra , lean n upon hi 3 harpsichord , as if Uo would havo broken it . Old Porporo was still the same ; he would willingly hnve said : " Fe « rish all the lovers and all tho husbands ' in the world , rather than my opera !" In tho evening , Consuelo made her toilet as usual , and presented herself upon the stage . She took her place , and her lips articulated a word—hut not a sound issued from her chest : sho had lost her voice .

      The stupified public rose en masse , Tho courtiers , who began to know something vaguely of hor attempt at flight , declared that it was nn intolerable caprice . There were cries , shouts , applausos , at each fresh effort of tho cantotrice . She tried to speak , but could not make a single word heard . Still she remained standing and sad , not thinking of theloss 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 tho refractory artist in prison , in order to mako her recovor her voice and willingness . Ilor Majesty had been angry for a moment , and the courtiers thought to gratify her by overwhelming the accused . But Maria Theresa , who sometimes permitted crimes by which she profitted , did not liko to mako people suffer unnecessarily . " Kannitz , " Baid sho to her Prime Minister , " let a permit of departure be given to that poor creature without further questions . If her extinction of voice be a rust de guerre , it is , at least , an act of virtue . Few actresses would sacrifice an hour of triumph to alifa of oonjugal love . "

      ConBueto , provided with all the necessary powers , at Iasfi departed , ill-as before , but without perceiving it . Here w& again lose the thread of events . Albert ' s trial might hav » been celebrated ; it was made scorefc . 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 Empress . From this epoch , it is certain that an obscure and more poor life was the lot of our couple . 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 thesufforingjexperencectby hiscompaiiion , bad a ^ ain stiakau Alberts reason . Still it does net appear that their love had becomo less tender , their souls less prpud , or their conduct leBs pure . Tho Invisibles had d , i 3 . ippearcdf under persecution . The work had been ruined , especially by tho Charlatans , 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 or England .

      Hero there is a grc-af ; gap which our imagination cannpfc supply . However , towards 1774 , wo find the couple wandering in the forest of Bohemia . This is tha last we have heard of Albert and Consuelo ; for afterwards , of their life and of their death , wo know absolutely nothing .

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      AFovntain op Honour . —We read in tho"I ) roit "— " Our readers may remember tho history of the famous imposter who represented himself to be Count Pontis de Ste . Ilelene , and who played his part with such perfection that Louis XV 1 IL , keen as he was , was deceived by him . The . police have just laid hands on an adventurer , who promised , i £ allowed to go on , to equal the high deeds of Cogniard . This individual pretended to be the last scion of the illustrious family of Gonzaeue . Ho called himself Duke of Mantua , Prince of tho Roman Empire , Officer of the Logion of Honour , Grand Officer of thu Order of Stadislaus , Knight of the Order of Military valour of Poland , Grand Master of the Order of the Redemption , Lieutenant of the Grand Ma 9 ? ter of tho Supreme Order of the Four Emperors of Germany , Protector of the Orders of Merit of Prussia , and ' of the Lion of Ilolstein , < fcc . In 1845 the pretended Prineo de

      Gonzaguo lived at Paris in great style , and was received By high personages , to whom he had exhibited papers wuicU left them no doubt of tho quality which be assumod . Under tho last reign ho solicited the title of general in tho service of France , and for some time it was in contemplation to appoint him Colonel of the Foreign Legion . Meanwhile he obtained his entries at Court . However , it was discovered that under the name of Count Manizouski , aPolish refugee , thesoi-dwanjDuko of Mantua received an allowance from tha French Government , That discovery brought disj » rnoa on him , and he thought it prudent to remain in the shade . A few days back a brilliant equipage drew up before the grand entrance of tho Ely ' see . From it alighted a gentleman covered with orders , who declared his name to " be the Prince de Gonzague , and asked to see the Prince President on the instant . General Roguot , feelins ; some suspicions .

      from the tone and manner-of the stranger , replied that tho Chief of the State could not at that moment receivo any one ; ho would , however , take care to mention to him the visit thus made . As soon as the visitor had withdrawn the General sent to the Prefecture of Police to ask for information concerning him . An inquiry was at once instituted , and the result was that a warrant was issued against him . A perquisition having been made on Wednesday at his apartment , in the rue Montabor , a discovery was made of the means by which the sham Prince do Gonzaguo supplied the expense of his luxurious existence . He had taken on himself the right to confer all tho orders mentioned above , for which he caused large sums to bo paid . ' It was thus that tie deoorated with three crosses , fora considerable sum , an

      engineer of the Place do la Bastille , who had acquired a largo fortune in manufacturing machinery . The illustrious dignitary did not confine himself to selling titles and crosses to honourable persons ; he gave them also to individuals who had been disgraced by judicial condemnation . He had metamorphosed into a baron another advonturer who had been liberated from tho prison Mazas , and who , by his assurance , succeeded in making a number of dupes . It is supposed that it is by the aid of papers purloined from the succession of tho Gonzaguo family , of which no member now exists , that thfl adventurer who has just been arrested was able for fifteen years to abuse tho pwblio credulity . His trial will , without doubt , bring to light many ourioua facts . "

      Royaii and Mimtart Collision .--Tho young officer ' s adventure with Queen Charlotte is not very flattering to him . He actually ran up against that august personage aa Bhe was walking out in the morning to bathe ; to save himself from falling , he encircled her in his arms ; and observing that the person whom he bad so embraced was " a little old woman with a small black silk bonnet , exactly similar to those now commonly worn by poor and aged females , and the romainder of her person was covered by a short , plain , soarlet cloak , " ho exclaimed , " Hollo , old lady , I vory nearly had you down . " The Qjten ' s indignation was no slight matter , as may be supposed ; but she eventually softened , and on the offender stooping to kiss the hem of her garment , i » tho German fashion , she said , "So , no , no , you may kiss my hant ; you must pee more careful ; fery rute— -fiery ruto inteot ; wo forgiff ; there , you uiay go . "— -Advint'tres and Recollections of Colonel Lavdmotm . G , ood RKCiPB . r ^ Tiie best cough drop for young hidiea is to drop tha practice of dressing thin , when they go jntp ( the night air .

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      ^( yu » j ^^^^ f LITERATURE- ~~ , * ~~ T . TTEU ATTTRE .

      Our T$$Tt*Antems Portrait Gaflerg.

      OUR t $$ tt * anteMs portrait Gaflerg .

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      ? uw * August 71852 . THE STAR OF FREEDOM . ' ™» ,.. ^ . . »_ . , ¦ ri - ^ ?

      Ftebtefr.

      ftebtefr .

  • 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/vm2-ncseproduct1690/page/3/