Grief conies around me in mine early years, And merry voices echo in mine ears But what are these-what is the world to me? O. J. Feb. 10.--Received a letter from Baldwin, soliciting the co-operation of the Club, in the event of the discontinuance of "The Etonian." Shall be happy to oblige Mr. Baldwin, as far as I am concerned; but Montgomery is hand and glove with Mr. Christopher North; and Sir Francis and Sterling are severally under engagements to the Edinburgh and Quarterly. 99 Feb. 12.-Received some stanzas "on Whistling," from R. S. I am quite puzzled by the extraordinary character of the lines, and half suspect that the author is only bamming us. However, there is something singular in the composition, and my readers shall therefore have a specimen. The verses are as wild as their subject: What! blame thee, child, Of the woodland wild, Who cherupest now só cheerily ? Your artless strain, That plays on my heart so merrily. A crown I'll entwine Of eglantine, On your little brown head to glisten; Its pearl shall be dew, And ruddy its hue, For, my bard of the grove, I'll pluck it for you, E'er the Sun be awake and risen. And bright though it be Sweet child of content simplicity! Its blush will lorn As the Moon at dawn, At the burst of thy soul's felicity. Feb. 14.-Valentine's Day. Surprised that I have not received any darts and flames. Still more surprised that I have not received any "blackguards" and "scoundrels." Had thoughts of writing a paper upon the custom of the day, but the subject is too trite. Two o'clock, P.M.-All college is in commotion. In Long Chamber there are consultations, and parties, and cabals. I saw a gownsman looking out complacently upon an unfolded paper; like Alexander, he sighed and looked, sighed and looked, sighed and looked, and sighed again." He became alternately as pale as the Bath post, and as black as the characters it bore. is a mystery to me! This Feb. 15.-The mystery is unravelled. A young Gentleman is displeased at receiving a billet-doux. This is surprising. But it is still more surprising that he suspects The Etonian" of its manufacture. He threatens us with a quire of paper for the sake of the Postage. I hope it may be blank. I shall be angry if I am obliged to pay and read too. Feb. 17.-I hope my readers will be pleased with the following Song: Hark upon the passing gale Mark the tints of silver, made "Tis that in the trembling notes Feb. 19.-Received from Oxford a large parcel of prose and verse. I am very much pressed for room, nevertheless I am particularly requested by the Club (on the immediate suggestion of Rowley), to insert the two contributions with which we are most pleased. 66 A Collar of Brawn, with M. B.'s compliments." Feb. 20.-The authorship of the above-mentioned Valentine is fixed, I understand, upon Gerard Montgo mery. Mr. Bellamy fancies himself suspected, and is rather alarmed for the consequences. He has purchased a smart little pistol, nailed a sovereign to the wall of his apartment, and practises three hours a-day. He says he is not much afraid, for "he can hit George to a nicety." Feb. 25.-Martin Sterling slanged me for being satirical. All the P. C. articles were attacked one after the other:-"Lovers' Vows," "Politeness and Politesse," "A Certain Age," "Not at Home."-Golightly came to my assistance. "Mr. Sterling," said he, "let me give you a little information. There is as little truth in your remarks as there is in Lovers' Vows; neither Politeness nor Politesse can bear you any longer: no one should talk in this style who is not of a Certain Age; and if you persist in it, I shall recommend to Mr. Courtenay to give you a flat Not at Home." Mr. Hodgson remarked that Mr. Golightly was a flat for supposing any thing flat could come from the President. Lozell laughed, and Oakley said "Pshaw." Feb. 26.-Transcribed a few stanzas by E. M. They were written soon after the lady's marriage. They were composed in a more tranquil moment, and breathe a more subdued spirit than those which were inserted in the Scrap-Book, No. I. I do not weep the grief I feel Is not the grief that dims the eye; Mary! thou know'st not, none can know Yet, by thine hair so lightly flowing, And by those eyes, whose tranquil beam As if thy bosom could not dream Of half the woe that preys on mine, I do not murmur that another Hath gain'd the love I could not wake; I look on him as on a brother, And do not hate him-for thy sake. And, Mary, when I gaze on thee, And happy-in thine happiness. Feb. 27.-The King of Clubs has too much vanity to withhold from the world Miss Harrison's Valentine, although the habits of procrastination in which the fair Authoress indulges (habits by the way in which his Majesty occasionally participates) have caused it to reach him much after its day. The time I am sure is not far distant, when to the names of a Baillie, an Edgeworth, an Inchbald, and a Morgan, Criticism will add that of Fanny Harrison. MISS HARRISON'S VALENTINE. "Nec sum adeo informis."-VIRG. Hail to his Majesty of Clubs !-all hail I love his crown, whatever ills betide it; I love the club that Fate hath fix'd beside it, I love his thin straight wig, and much I prize His great black eyebrows, and his small white nose, His round mustachios, and his pointed eyes. I love his tout ensemble-e’en his crimes, His puns, his punch, his reasonings, and his rhymes! Feb. 28.-Gerard gave us, from a Cambridge correspondent, the following whimsical imitation, or rather parody, of Horace : "Integer vitæ scelerisque purus," &c.-HOR. The man, my GERARD, arm'd with native strength, Of venal critic, or ephemeral puff Prelusive, or satiric quiver stored With poison'd shafts defensive: fearless he Sends forth his work, essay, or ode, or note, On crabb'd Greek play, or squib political. Him nor the fierce Eclectic's foaming page Aught troubles, nor the uncourteous Times, nor yet Its three-months' errors out. For me of late In Johnian walks sole wandering, while the thoughts Drew me excursive, a reviewer stern Encount'ring, with kind words of courtesy. |