The two achievements which occur But his greatest merit, which will preas episodes in this singular biography, serve his name through all future generthe commencement of a Christian ations, consists in his historic works, as mission in Germany, and the conver

far as they concern his own native land. sion of the last remnants of Paganism If a second man like himself had arisen in England, would have been enough in his days, who with the same clear, to immortalise their author, inde- circumspect glance, the same honest and

pious purpose, had recorded the secular pendently of his influence on the out

transactions of his forefathers, as Beda ward discipline of the Church.

has transmitted to us those chiefly of the To the chequered and restless career church, then would the history of England of Wilfrith, thus divided between have been to posterity almost like revelclerical ambition, and Christian use- ation for Germanic antiquity.” fulness, a striking contrast is pre

It seems like a miracle to witness sented in the peaceful life of one who is the honour of Saxon England, and within a century of their country's conthe brightest, or the only bright name

version, two native names so remarkin European literature during the thus exerted, which in the one man

able as these. Under the influence centuries that intervened between Theodoric and Charlemagne.

was purely good, and in the other had

more good in it than evil, an active “But no one imparts to the age of the spirit of religion was necessarily inWisest King'greater brilliancy than the troduced, and the national character man just named, whom the epithet of underwent a mighty change. The - The Venerable' adorns, whose know- condition of public feeling at this ledge was profound and almost universal. period is strongly illustrated in the Born in the neighbourhood of Wearmouth, he enjoyed in that abbey the instructions concluding chapter of Bede's History. of Benedict, its first abbot, of whom we “ Such being the peaceable and calm have already had occasion to make hon- disposition of the times, many of the ourable mention, as well as those of his Northumbrians, as well of the nobility successor, Ceolfrith, equally distinguished as private persons, laying aside their for his zeal in the promotion of learning. weapons, rather incline to dedicate both In the neighbouring cloister of Jarrow, themselves and their children to the Beda passed his life in exercises of piety tonsure and monastie vows, than to and in varied study; and gave life and study martial discipline. What will be form to almost all the knowledge which the end hereof, the next age will show. the age could offer him. If, on a consi- This is, for the present, the state of all deration of his works, it must appear ma- Britain ; in the year, since the coming nifest that that age possessed more means of the English into Britain about 285, of knowledge, both in manuscripts and but in the 731st year of the incarnation learned ecclesiastics, than we are wont to of our Lord, in whose reign may the ascribe to it; and even if we must recog- earth ever rejoice ; may Britain exult nise in Beda the high culture of the in the profession of his faith ; and may Roman church, rather than Anglo-Saxon many islands be glad, and sing praises nationality, yet the acknowledgment in honour of his holiness !" which his merits found in Rome during his life, and shortly after his th, where- What will be the end hereof the next ever learning could penetrate, proves that age will show! These are ominous in him we justly venerate a wonder of words, of which we are soon to find the time. His numerous theological writ- the fulfilment in many grievous reings, his illustrations of the books of the volutions and disasters. old and New Testaments, have through amid all these it is impossible to deout many ages, until the total revolution preciate the value and operation of the in that branch of learning, found readers peaceful interval that preceded them, and transcribers in every cloister of Europe. His knowledge of Greek, of

or to deny that, though other things medicine, of astronomy, of prosody, he might fall or fade away for a time, the made subservient to the instruction of his great work of the diffusion of Chriscontemporaries ; his work “De sex hujus

tian civilisation was destined ever to seculi ætatibus,” though less used than make more rapid progress, even by it deserves to be, is the basis of most of the help of those very events which the universal chronicles of the middle age. seemed to threaten its extinction.

And yet

SCOTTISH MELODIES BY DELTA.

ERIC'S DIRGE.

THE STORMY SEA !

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SHON'st thou but to pass away,

ERE the twilight bat was flitting, Chieftain, in thy bright noon-day? In the sunset, at her knitting,

Sang a lonely maiden, sitting (All who knew thee, love thee !)

Underneath her threshold tree; Who to Eric would not yield ?

And, as daylight died before us, Red hand in the battle field,

And the vesper star shone o'er us, Kinsman's idol, Beauty's shield, Fitful rose her tender chorus – Flowers we strew above thee!

"Jamie's on the stormy sea!”

Warmly shone that sunset glowing ; Eagle-like, in Glory's sky,

Sweetly breathed the young flowers Soard thy dauntless spirit high ;

blowing; (All who knew thee, love thee !) Earth, with beauty overflowing, Scion of a matchless race,

Seem'd the home of love to be, Strong in form, and fair of face,

As those angel tones ascending,

With the scene and season blending, First in field, and first in chase,

Ever had the same low endingFlowers we strew above thee!

“ Jamie's on the stormy sea !" Three to one Argyle came on,

Curfew bells remotely ringing, Yet thy glance defiance shone;

Mingled with that sweet voice singing;

And the last red rays seem'd clinging (All who knew thee, love thee !)

Lingeringly to tower and tree: Fear thine Islesmen never knew ;

Nearer as I came, and nearer, We were firm, tho' we were few;

Finer rose the notes, and clearer; And in front thy banner flew :

Oh! 'twas heaven itself to hear herFlowers we strew above thee!

" Jamie's on the stormy sea!”

" Blow, ye west winds ! blandly hover What mere men could do was done;

O'er the bark that bears my lover; Two at least we slew for one;

Gently blow, and bear him over (All who knew thee, love thee !) To his own dear home and me; But, ah fatal was our gain !

For, when night winds bend the willow, For, amid the foremost slain,

Sleep forsakes my lonely pillow, Lay'st thou, whom we mourn in vain: Thinking of the foaming billow

“ Jamie's on the stormy sea !” Flowers we strew above thee!

How could I but list, but linger, Mourn !_nor own one tearless eye, To the song, and near the singer, Barra, Harris, Uist, and Skye!

Sweetly wooing heaven to bring her

Jamie from the stormy sea : (All who knew thee, love thee !) Eric! low thou liest the while,

And, while yet her lips did name me, Shadowed by Iona’s pile ;

Forth I sprang—my heart o'ercame May no step thy stone defile :

" Grieve no more, sweet, I am Jamie, Flowers we strew above thee!

Home returned, to love and thee!”

me

GENERAL MACK - A CRISTMAS CAROL.

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To the Tune of “ No one else could have done it." At the taking of Ulm, some forty years back, 66 No one could have done it” but General Mack: Like “The League,” the besiegers were certainly strong, But to Mack, without doubt, did the triumph belong: “In vain,” people cried, “must have been the attack, But for one single man-gallant General Mack!" Yet “ the Hero of Ulm,” doesn't stand quite alone,For we have a General Mack of our own; And when any strong Fortress in which he commands, Any morning is found in The Enemy's hands, We cry till our voices are ready to crack, “Pray, who could have done it but General Mack?" In the time of old Mack, although only a lad, What delight in the name must the stripling have had ! How the opening buds of political truth Must have swell'd in the heart of the generous youth, As he nobly resolved to pursue the same track, And become, in due season, a General Mack ! “ If perchance,” he would say, " the time ever should be, When some fortress as strong is entrusted to me If its chosen defenders I ever should lead, Here at once is a system that's sure to succeed ! How soon may the boldest and bravest attack Be brought to an end, by a General Mack!" In days when they tell us that prophets are rare, This was, for a young one, you'll own, pretty fair ; For in due course of time, (not to dwell upon dates,) Full many a fortress had open'd its gates ; And I could not admit, though I were on the rack, Any one could have done it but General Mack. On each new exploit, the same wonderment ran5. You'll allow that this Mack is a wonderful man. All the optics of friends and of foes he defies — He is always preparing some pleasant surpriseWhat a squint you must have, if you see on what tack, He next is to go-honest General Mack !”. Oh, gallant commander ! I hear people say, These triumphs of yours have at length had their day. I will not determine how far that may be, But I'm sure they have not been forgotten by me; And a CAROL for CHRISTMAS you never shall lack, As long as your name shall be GENERAL MACK!

REFLECTIONS SUGGESTED BY THE CAREER OF THE LATE PREMIER.

We have heard a great deal said amply confirmed (to say nothing of of late against what are termed “per- native testimonies) by the estimates sonalities"-a term which, I suppose, which foreign writers of that time implies remarks or reflections on the draw of the national character of personal conduct of an individual. If England. The intriguing and proa statesman is hard pressed on some fligate character of many of the public unpleasant point, he escapes by say- men under Charles II. had, no doubt, ing, that it is only a "personality,” a similarly evil influence on the popuand that to "bandy personalities ” is lar mind; and generally, all insincerity

“" a thing from which he is precluded by in high places must be looked on as a his dignity. If a discussion in Par- bane to the country. Most widely liament turn much upon these per- should we err, if, in estimating the sonalities, they are treated by those career of these statesmen, we looked who may find them distasteful, as a only to the outward character of their totally irrelevant matter, interrupting measures, in a commercial, economithe true business of the House ; and if cal, or political point of view. Howthey are noticed, it is done as if it was ever beneficial many of their mea& pure régigyov, a gratuitous piece sures may have been in these respects, of condescension on the part of the if their own character was not sincere person replying to the attack. It and honest, if these measures were seems to be laid down as a sort of brought about not by fair and open axiom by many, that political ques- means, but by artful and underhand tions should be discussed solely on intrigues, by false professions, by their own merits, abstaining from all duplicity, and insincerity, by venality, remarks on personal character, more whether of the open bribe, or the especially in Parliament, where all insidious government influence, we such reflections are condemned as pure pass a verdict of censure on their waste of the time of the House. career, we reject them from the rank

That political questions should be of the true patriots, the sacred band, discussed on their own merits, and who have earned renown

as the that those merits are in no way af- pure benefactors of their country, fected by the character of any indi- Quique sui memores alios fecere vidual whatever, is perfectly true; but merendo." if it be meant to be inferred that the If we looked only at the commercial personal character of public men is or practical consequences of his meatherefore a matter of no importance, sures, the career of Walpole might be a subject which is to be veiled in a esteemed glorious —for I believe it is sacred silence, and never to be ex- generally considered that his measures amined or discussed, such a sentiment were sagacious and successful. But is eminently flimsy and false, one the venal character of his administrawhich could only find general accep- tion is a blot that no one may remove, tance in a poor-minded age, to which and this stain on his personal characmaterial interests were of greater ter neutralises (as far as he is convalue than the far higher ones of cerned) all the effect of his measures. national character. For that the Posterity, accordingly, has done him national character is greatly affected justice, and has assigned him his fitby the personal character of its lead-ting rank — he takes his place among ing public men, is a truth that will the skilful statesmen, not among the scarcely be called in question. The great patriots. Who will be able to venality and corruption which more alter this decision? Who shall have especially disgraced the ministry of influence to induce the world to raise Walpole, and infected, in a greater or him to the higher rank, – to make us less degree, that of his successors, couple the name of Walpole with may reasonably be expected to have those of Aristides, Phocion, and Deexercised a widely debasing influence mosthenes ? on the nation at large, an expectation Since, then, this personal character

are

exercises so wide an influence for for having wounded the feelings of good or for bad upon the character, any demagogue of the day, or of the and therefore on the destinies, of a thirty tyrants ? Is Cicero reproached nation, are we to be told, that it is for his ungentlemanly tone towards not a subject of discussion, that it is Catiline, his disregard of the feelings shrined in an inviolable asylum, re- of Verres, his total want of courtesy moved from the free exercise of and urbanity even to so eminent and thought; that we must confine our distinguished a man as Antony ? Or views to the character of measures, in our own days, is Lord Lyndhurst and not dare to direct them to the blamed for having again happily apcharacter of men ? Who is it, in plied the language of Cicero to denounce writing the history of Charles I. who the conduct, or rather misconduct, of has not pointed out the lamentable O'Connell ? No; if their censure was defect in the character of that unfor- deserved, they are honoured for havtunate prince, that his friends could ing decidedly expressed it. And not rely on his professions ? And if when, indeed, is it of greater importhere be a statesman of the present tance that a true estimate should be day, whose friends cannot rely upon formed of the character of public men, his professions, are we totally to than while they are yet alive,—while abstain from making any reflection, that character is still exercising its either mentally or verbally, on so widely-acting influence, and while lamentable a defect? By wh mistakes in respect to it may lead to we taught this new and precious doc- the most pernicious consequences ? It trine ? Certain members of the late is during their lifetime that we should Government take upon them to be discuss the characters of such men as our chief instructors in it; more espe- O'Connell and Peel. A true estimate cially, perhaps, Mr. Sidney Herbert. of their character after death is, doubtSharp expressions had been raining less, better than nothing; but a true pretty thick from his foes, amid which estimate of it during life is better he and his colleagues (proh nefas !) had still. The proverb tells us, that “late been termed " Janissaries !"

is better than never ;' but it does not Talibus exarsit dictis violentia Sidnei ; deny that early is better than late. Dat gemitum ;

Well, then,” perhaps Mr. Herbert and he delivers an able lecture to his may reply, “you may, if you please, opponents on their strong and un- judge their character while they are gentlemanly language. After this, yet alive, but this must be in proper let us take care what we are about: time and place; I must request yoit let us say nothing ungentlemanly re- to abstain from doing so in Parliaspecting the conduct of Walpole : ment. Strong language in Parliawhatever we may think of the per- ment on personal character is a thing sonal character of Cromwell, let us, which I can never approve; here I in our language at least, observe the must insist on the use of mild lanestablished courtesies and urbanities

guage, on a gentlemanly and courteous of discussion.

tone of discussion.” “Not so," perhaps says Mr. Her- And what, we would ask, is the bert. ,“I make a distinction: I do object of Parliament, if not to discuss not mean to debar you from free impartially, but firmly and decidedly, discussion on the characters of the all important subjects that deeply dead; but what I desire is, that you concern the public weal? And what abstain from meddling with the con- subject more important than the conduct of the living." Where is it, duct of the men who hold the helm ? then, that he has found this doctrine ? Since how long is it that Parliament Were those who blamed, and strongly has been considered as having no right too, the conduct of Shaftesbury, and to form or to express any opinion on Bolingbroke, and Walpole, when alive, this subject ? Since how long has the culpable? Was it only permitted to new doctrine been held or been acted do so after their death? Is Aris- on, that they are only to regard tophanes thought peculiarly guilty for measures, and not the conduct of having blamed Cleon while alive and men ? This is calling on them to in power? Is Socrates stigmatised abdicate one of the highest and most

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