joined to the certainty that, by proceeding to the eastward of the Sandwich Islands, or to the westward of those of New South Shetland, I might rapidly reach the 69th, 70th, or 71st degree, as Biscoe, Bellingshausen, and Cook, had done but I withstood this temptation, convinced that the real object of our voyage was rather to ascertain how far the observations of Weddell were founded and his route practicable, than to approach a few degrees nearer to the pole; and, in this point of view, our errand was completely performed." Having again explored the groupe of the Orkney islands, Captain d'Urville steered for those of New South Shetland, and passed within two hundred fathoms of the little volcano on Bridgman's island, where the boats were prevented from landing by the fury of the surf. He then directed his course towards "the southern regions of which mention is made in the accounts of those bold fishermen, who went to catch seals in the New South Shetland islands from 1820 to 1824, but of which we yet possessed no positive information either as to their form, their extent, or even their position." On the 27th of February, the ships came in sight of those mysterious regions, and spent eight days in tracing exactly their configuration for the space of nearly 120 miles, between the latitude of 630 and 64°. "These lands, crowned by immense peaks, are covered with everlasting ice of indefinite thickBut for the blackish rocks, left bare by the melting of the snow that bounds them towards the coast, it would be difficult to distinguish them from the numerous ice-fields which accompany them. The principal of these lands was named Louis-Philippe's Land, in memory of the king who first conceived the idea of exploring these southern regions. ness. The ships now pursued their course for the coast of Chili, but during their passage thither the scurvy broke out on board both of them with such virulence that, on their arrival in the road of Conception on the 7th of April, the Zelée had 40 men incapable of duty, and the Astrolabe 15 sick; but a change of diet on reaching land speedily produced the most beneficial effects. After a stay of nearly six weeks in the bay of Conception, as well for the recovery of the crews as the repair of the damages sustained by the ships among the ice, Captain d'Urville sailed in prosecution of the further objects of his mission. Capt. d'Urville concludes with feelingly expressing his regret at having been prevented from gaining for his crews the premium which was offered. "Most assuredly," he adds, "the poor fellows laboured, and suffered, and deserved that reward a hundred times as much as if they had found the sea open, as Weddell pretends to have done; for, in this case, a fortnight's sail, exempt from any dangers, would have been sufficient to carry us to the 75th degree, and to bring us back again. Naturally unconcerned about the future, the seaman cares little for money for its own sake; our's therefore soon forgot the premium, after joking upon it for some days. But I have not forgotten, and never shall forget, the terrible trials to which I have exposed them." His report, dated on board the Astrolabe, May 25th, 1838, at sea, is accompanied with a plan of the tracks of the vessels among the ice from the 4th to the 9th of February, and a chart of that portion of the coast of Louis-Philippe's Land, which he had an opportunity of exploring. GERMAN POPULAR PUBLICATIONS. Deutsche Volksbücher: I. Salomon und Morolf. Eine gar anmuthige Historie. Zu Nutz und Kurzweil geschrieben, dass man daraus abnehmen mag was Liste ein kündiger Bauersmann gegen einen weisen König geübt hat. Gedrückt in diesem Jahre. (German Popular Publications: I. Solomon and Morolf; a most diverting History. Written for profit and pastime; to show what tricks a cunning Boor played a wise King. Printed this year). Berlin. Whoever has travelled in Germany must have remarked, at the corners of the streets of the larger and in the market-places of the smaller towns, stalls filled with books, in general under the care of an old woman. On a closer inspection of these little publications, you are struck by the extraordinary paper- the grayest and the coarsest ever made since the invention of that material- the comical print, the rude illustrative wood-cuts, which remind you of the first commencement of the art, and, lastly, the circumstance that they are all stated to be printed this year. They cost, it is true, a very moderate price, two or three groschen apiece, and are therefore within the reach of the poorest individuals. But could one imagine that in these cheap unadorned little books is comprehended all that for three or four centuries past has amused the leisure hours of the middling and lower classes in Germany? These popular publications were transmitted from generation to generation; and, while the inhabitants of towns have changed their literary recreations together with their manners and fashions, the country-people and peasants adhere to the simple and coarse fare of their forefathers. You find in them a source of wit, humour, and fun; they are a mine of popular wisdom, and of its notions concerning the chief interests of life, upon which Tieck and his friends, the Schlegels and Novalis, have largely drawn; and contain a great number of stories borrowed from all ages, and from the most diverse nations. You here read about the death of Hector at the time of the crusades; you find Alexander Magnus brought into connexion with Richard Coeur de Lion, and King David with Charlemagne and the Knights of the Round Table; and, though you perceive that their authors knew not much of chronology or general history, yet you see that they have not made an ill use of so much as they were acquainted with. Partly profane, partly biblical subjects, partly legends, tales of chivalry, of sorcerers, or of goblins, constitute their staple materials; the characters do not speak a language suited to the times in which they are said to have lived, but yet suited to human nature, which is pretty much the same at all times; and they apply it cleverly and discreetly. The dialects in which these works are written are still to be met with in many parts of Germany; but they are so softened down as to be intelligible even to the people of the remotest towns. The translator of the Niebelungen Lied, the ingenious Dr. Simrock of Bonn, has now undertaken the meritorious task of preparing an edition of these popular works in a form worthy of them. He has made it an especial point to change as little as possible of their ancient dress, and to give only just so much polish to the language that every welleducated person may be able to read them. The first volume has just appeared, handsomely got up, and illustrated with wood-cuts by Professor Gubitz of Berlin. It contains a story in which is shown the contrast between extraordinary wisdom and sound common sense, which, in the affairs of life, so often proves superior to the former. The one is personified by the wise King Solomon, the other by a peasant of Lower Saxony, named Morolf. The latter appears, with his ugly face, misshapen body, and ragged apparel, before the throne of Solomon, and by his garb, but still more by the undaunted boldness of his look, attracts the notice of the prince and of all present. For every question addressed to him, he has in readiness a pertinent and witty answer; on which account Solomon enters into a discussion with him, and promises him goods and money, if he gives a correct solution to each of his propositions. Morolf accepts the challenge. Solomon begins in rhymed verses : Vom Stamme Juda bin ich geboren Morolf instantly replies: Im Lande der Blinden, wie ihr wisst, Solomon then says: Weisheit hat mir Gott gegeben, Morolf sneeringly rejoins: Wer missgünstge Nachbarn hat, Der lobe sich selber, das ist mein Rath.§ Solomon praises, agreeably to the ideas of knight-errantry, the virtues of women; Morolf censures them severely for their frailties. Thus Solomon says: Ein gutes Weib und tadelsohne Ist ihres Mannes Zier und Krone.|| Morolf replies: 44 ་་ Einen Topf von Rahmen voll, Man vor den Katzen hüten soll. Solomon. Ein schönes Weib und wohlgekleidet Gleich lüstet der Gerber nach dem Schatze. Morolf. Hebt sie mit schelten an und toben, I am descended from the tribe of Juda, and was elected king of Israel." "In the country of the blind, as you well know, the one-eyed man is a king." Wisdom, beyond that of all living men, has been given to me by God." "Whoever has surly neighbours, let him praise himself; that is my advice." "A good and irreproachable wife is a jewel and crown to her husband.” T "A pot that is full of cream should be carefully kept out of the reach of cats. "Sol. The meanest man is envied a handsome and well-dressed wife. " Mor. If a cat has a beautiful skin, the tanner instantly longs for the treasure. "Sol. A good wife, of gentle temper, is a blessing surpassing every other. "Mor. If she begins to scold and rage, thou wilt seldom praise the gentleness of her temper." 1 In this manner, Morolf gives sensible replies to fifty-eight assertions, and frequently contrives to find the contrary of a sentence that is propounded; for it is wonderful what a number of proverbs in every language are precisely the reverse of one another. Thus Solomon says: Willst du selber dein Lob betreiben, Es wird nicht lange haften bleiben.* The sly Morolf answers: Wär ich ein Thor much selbst zu schelten, Concerning wine, the profoundly reflective Solomon says: The witty Morolf quickly rejoins: Den Armen machet reich der Wein, The truth-loving Solomon says: Ich spreche, die sich am Lügen freuen, The worldly-minded Morolf rejoins: Wer nicht mit Wahrheit kann bestehen, The princely Solomon says: Wenn ein König sein Wort verpfändet, But Morolf has this answer pat to return: Wer Wölfe vor die Pflugschar spannt, At last, Solomon bestows a royal donation on the artful Morolf, who, not content with this, strives by many a crafty stratagem to gain the king's favour. His cunning, however, is foiled by superior wisdom, because it is selfish, and combines vulgarity and baseness. When he, at length, by means of an artful plan, excites the women so highly praised by Solomon to rebel, he is condemned to die. He is to be hanged. "But he raised his hands imploringly and beseechingly to the king, dropped upon one knee before him, and said: Noble sir, I will cheerfully submit to punishment, but inflict it in honour of all women, and let me at least choose the tree on which I am to be hanged.'-' Thou hast indeed never said any thing good of the women,' rejoined Solomon, ' and hast reviled them much; but, as thou conjurest me for their sake, thy wish shall be granted.' Thereupon he strictly commanded the attendants to do the peasant no harm, till he had chosen the tree on which they were to hang him. The attendants conducted Morolf to the wood, and said: 'Now, jovial companion, make haste and choose "If thou wilt sound forth thine own praise, it will not be of long duration." "Were I fool enough to censure myself, others would be sure to praise me but seldom." "Wine begets incontinence; the drunkard is liable to get into mischief." § "Wine makes the poor man rich, therefore he ought to be always drunk." I say that those who delight in lying ought most particularly to be shunned." "He who cannot get forward with truth must have recourse to lying." "When a king pledges his word, he never rests till he has fulfilled it." "He who yokes wolves to his plough, cannot cultivate his land well." the finest tree look you, here is plenty of them, and we want to get home again soon.'-'Oho!' cried Morolf, laughing,' what are you thinking of? It shall be a good while before I choose any tree; so ye need not be in such a violent hurry. There is not one of you but would like to have a pretty long time for consideration, if he were going to be hanged. But come along, and let us look for the tree.' However, as it may be easily imagined, he never finds the right tree, and by this stratagem he saves himself from the penalty of death. By another artifice, he gains the so-much-desired favour of the king, and has the appointment of court-fool conferred upon him. PICTORIAL HISTORIES. L'Univers Histoire et Description de tous les Peuples — Etats Unis d'Amerique. Par M. Roux de Rochelle. (The World-History and Description of all Nations United States of America. By M. Roux de Rochelle, formerly Minister Plenipotentiary of France to the United States). 8vo. Paris, 1837. Among the illustrated works of which late years have been so productive in France, as well as in most other countries, is that commonly called "L'Univers Pittoresque," an enterprize of the celebrated printers, the Messrs. Didot. It contains not, as we should have conceived from the title, a description either of the various countries to which its several portions relate, or of the manners, customs, and social condition of their inhabitants; but it is devoted exclusively to their history. Writers of known talent, mostly members of the national Institute, are engaged upon these histories, and the work has acquired such high reputation abroad, as well as in France, that translations of it are publishing in Germany, Italy, Spain, and Russia. The portions already completed are Greece, Italy and Sicily. Sweden and Norway, Switzerland and Tyrol, the United States, Brasil, Colombia and Guyana, China, and Oceania; and those at present in progress are Russia, Egypt, and Turkey. It is illustrated by numerous plates, consisting of landscapes, remarkable buildings, costumes. portraits, and historical subjects. The volume before us relates to the United States of America, the history of which is furnished by a writer whose former diplomatic functions may be justly supposed to have facilitated the performance of the task. He has given, in the compass of a single volume, an extremely satisfactory history of the first settlement and subsequent fortunes of the states comprehended in the present mighty republic, in a style befitting a popular work, and in a tone of impartiality and good temper which we often miss in the works of French writers who have occasion to treat of matters in which England, the great political rival of their country, has been concerned. If we have any fault to find with the author, it is that he has stopped short at the year 1811, and of course excluded from his book a period of peculiar interest to the English reader, embracing the vicissitudes of the war which immediately afterwards broke out between Great Britain and the United States, as well as the domestic events of the last quarter of a century. |