the first specimen of Bamford's poetry which we offer to the notice of the reader, there is a spirit of resolution and heroism, not unworthy of the days of Cressy and Poictiers. ODE to DEATH. Come not to me on a bed Of pale-fac'd sickness, and of pining; O clasp me close on the battle field red, Midst the warrior's shouts and the armour shining; Let me have no priest, no hell, Sable pomp, nor voice of wailing; May I fall on some great day, With Freedom's banner streaming o'er me, Live to shout for the victory, And see the rout roll on before me, As a companion to this animated ode, we shall select the "Song of the Brave," which is little, if at all, inferior. O, what is the life of the brave? A gift which his Maker hath given, Lest nothing but tyrant and slave Remain of mankind under heaven. O, what is the life of the brave, Considering these effusions with only a strict regard to their intrinsic merit, we do not hesitate to pronounce that they give evidence of a highly poetical mind; but when we recollect that they are the untutored compositions of a humble mechanic, one of the operative class, as it is called, or in plain terms, a weaver, we are certainly greatly surprised that he is able to operate such verses as these, and should be glad if he could "spin a thousand such a day." In one of his small pieces there is an original and primitive simplicity which renders it, to our feelings, very striking. Without the slightest attempt at ornament, it records "a scene in the King's Bench prison," with a brevity and plainness which go directly to the heart :"Good night, the brave man said, As to the door we passed, And then he took my hand And held it very fast; And he look'd on me with a steadfast eye, Good night, Sir, I replied, And did his hand detain; When shall we meet again? They took him on the morn Where the arch enemy Might hold her prey secure : When staked in the cause of his right? And he will not be left alone." Tis but as a drop to the wave, A trifle he values as light. And what is the death of the brave; A loss which the good shall deplore: The virtues he struggled to save Are griev'd to behold him no more: "Tis the close of a glorious day, 'Tis the setting of yonder bright sun; A summons that welcomes away To a heaven already begun. Still shining in splendid array. The wise and the good do admire; Then who would not live with the brave? The pieces which we have hitherto quoted, are certainly tinged with a political feeling, and we therefore think it incumbent on us to shew, that when his master passion, the love of liberty, is not in action, Bamford possesses dominion over the tenderer feelings. By the following ballad our readers will probably be reminded of Burns' "Soldier's Return." And when we venture to suggest such a comparison, it is plain that we have no mean idea of the merit of our author's composition. It possesses much of the character of the old ballad. THE WANDERERS. The rain beat sore, and the wind did roar, Came wandering over the Tandle hill. Her cheeks were like the rose, and her eyes black as sloes, And Oh! they were streaming with tears so free; And as she pass'd by, she heavily did sigh, And I knew the lovely maiden, but she knew not me. "O bonnie "O bonnie damsel stay, and me forgive, I pray, For daring to question that pearly tear; For much I wish to know, the cause of thy woe, And why a maid so lovely wandereth here." "My mother dear, is dead, and my father he is wed To a hard-hearted jade, from Urgan town; This morn, by break of day, she turned me away, And I to seek a home am for Oldham bound." "Were this my only woe, my tears would cease to flow, For I have heart and hand my bread to gain, But the lad I loved well, in the field of battle fell, And he will never more return from Spain." Then she wept as she spake, as if her heart would break: "I can't but think of him when I look on thee; But Sebastian was strong, and the battle lasted long, And he died with the flower of our infantry." And then adown her face, the tears ran apace, And I doffd my hat of grey, and my frock I flung away, And then my lovely maiden she remembered me. O, how can I express the gush of happiness Which burst flike a flood on my troubled heart; For my love remained kind, whom I long had left behind, And we now were united never more to part. ` O thou bonny green hill, my heart with joy doth thrill When I see but a glimpse of thy shady grove; For then I call to mind, when we sought thy shelter kind, How enraptur'd I clasp'd in my arms my love. We might proceed to extract other poems, which would be equally honourable to the feelings and abilities of their author, but we have only room to observe, that he is as successful in his jocular and satirical attempts, as in his serious pieces. We may instance "The Bard's Reformation,” and “The Arrest," as exhibiting a strong genius for this kind of writing. We cannot conjecture whether circumstances will ever allow Mr. Bamford to emerge into public notice with the high pretensions of a poet. He is poor, uneducated, and obscure, but he has given us the sample of a rich vein of mind, which might, if properly cultivated, produce much valuable matter. We have been struck with the appearance of the ore, though unrefined and rude; and shall be happy if it is our fortune to meet with it hereafter in a purer form. But whatever his fortune may be, we perceive that Mr. Bamford possesses a spirit of manly resolution equal to any encoun ter. To a mind conscious of its own force, and firm in its own integrity, all conditions of life are the same; and though he might be happy in the fame of a poet, he must be one of those who acknowledge a much higher claim to distinction in the character of a patriotic citizen, and of an honest man. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. SIR, HAVE seen a book just published by Mr. Westgarth Forster, of Alston, being the second edition of a Treatise on a Section of the Strata, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to the Mountain Crossfell; a district highly interesting, as, besides giving employment to a numerous population, it supplies a considerable portion of the metropolis with fuel; and for its valuable deposits of lead ore it stands unrivalled, having, upon an average of several years, produced near twelve thousand tons of lead annually; besides a considerable portion of silver, upwards of sixty-three thousand ounces being refined in the last year, at the works belonging to the commissioners and governors of Greenwich Hospital only. This work contains much valuable local and practical information respecting mineral veins, the working of mines, dressing and smelting of lead ores, &c. divested of theory, which, as the author observes in his preface, "has hitherto been the bane of geological science; it has cramped the efforts of enquiry, and paralyzed the exertions of research." of Some examples adduced of the actual crossing of veins, can hardly be reconciled to that part of the theory of Werner, which regards the relative age veins. Where two veins cross or intersect each other, one of them generally seems, not only to traverse and divide the other, but also frequently to separate the parts of the vein so traversed, to a considerable distance in the direc That vein tion of the traversed vein. which continues its course uninterruptedly, has, in conformity to the above theory, been considered as of newer formation but the facts stated by Mr. Forster would seem to lead to an oppowhich continues in a direct course (or site conclusion, namely, that the vein at least some joint or crack in its place) has existed anterior to the one whose but which I think more probable, were parts appear to have been separated never continuous. Keswick, Nov. 16, 1821. J. OTLEY. For the Monthly Magazine. The MILITARY SYSTEMS of M. CARNOT and SIR H. DOUGLAS compared. NOT in the revolutionary goHE distinguished rank held by vernment of France, and his acknow ledged talents as an engincer, have conferred conferred upon his name a high degree of celebrity. His profound mathematical knowledge, and the important use that Bonaparte made of his abilities, impressed professional men with a very exalted opinion of his system of fortification, and proposed plan of defence. Sir Howard Douglas, an officer of intelligence and scientific acquirements, has favoured the public with observations on Carnot's plans of defence, and clearly demonstrated that vertical fire, upon which the French engineer relies with so much confidence, as the basis of the defence of a fortified place, is by no means entitled to any very great degree of estimation in repelling the attack of besiegers. Let us, first, bestow a few words on Carnot's system of fortification and vertical fire, and afterwards examine the observations of the British engineer. In looking at the plan of Carnot's fortification, there seems to be very little deviation from the established rules of engineering, as laid down in the works of the celebrated Vauban. The revêtement of his polygon consists of bastions and curtains, of saliant and re-entering angles-ditch and covert-ways, and the usual out-works found in the plans of that great engineer. In some minor particulars, Carnot has attempted to improve the defence of Vauban's bastion, by a revêtement across the gorge; but that is not a new improvement, as similar propositions have been suggested by several engineers. In the construction of out-works to cover the body of the place, there seems to be uo very material alteration proposed-the counter-guards, and demilunes, are not much improved; and the double covert-way, and additional revêtement to protect the bastions, are little calculated to retard the approach of the besiegers. Indeed, M. Carnot seems to be sensible of the inutility of his out-works, as he appears to rely principally for the defence of his fortress, upon vigorous sallies and continued vertical fire. With regard to sallies, let it be observed, that a garrison must be very strong to defend extensive out-works, and to make numerous and determined sallies. Establishing extensive places of defence and garrisons of great numerical strength, is acting in direct contradiction to the acknowledged principles of fortification; as the great intention in erecting a fortress, is to enable the state to hold an important poMONTHLY MAG. No. 362. sition with a small number of mon M. Carnot's fortified place is, therefore in direct opposition to this fundamental principle, as his out-works are so ex• tensive as to require a strong body of troops for their defence; and the construction of the works is so inefficient as to demand constant and vigorous sallies, to repel the besiegers. With regard to the efficacy of sallies, profes sional men are by no means agreed. The most effectual one of modern times was that made by the garrison of Gi braltar, under the direction of its veteran governor, the late Lord Heathfield, when the whole of the Spanish batteries and approaches were taken and destroyed. The other branch of M. Carnot's de fence, vertical fire, Sir H. Douglas has, by the most satisfactory experiments, proved to be of no importance whatever. as precision in the direction, and effect of vertical projectiles, cannot be attained. The discharge of stones would be use less, and the operation of iron balls by no means so formidable as to impede approaches of the assailants. The defence, therefore, of M. Carnot's works must still depend upon the usual arms and means employed in military wat fare. Having made these observations on M. Carnot's fortification and plan of defence, let us enquire how it happens that so celebrated an engineer has not been able to devise a system of defence better calculated to resist ricochet and enfilading batteries? Can there be no efficacious deviation from right lines and saliant angles, by which the artil lery upon the works of the fortress may be protected? Traverses are clumsy expedients, and occupy too great a portion of the ramparts-and could not such an engineer as Carnot prepare a better remedy? It seems he has not→ and the only additional defence which he has adopted for his bastion is the casemated battery behind its gorge. This battery can only be mounted with mortars-cannon would be useless, unless the battery was considerably elevated above the guns upon the bastion, and in that case they would be exposed to the fire of the artillery of the besiegers, who, from the nature of attack and defence, always possess a superiority of fire. Let us now turn to Sir H. DOUGLAS, who has unquestionably shewn the best manner in which M. Carnot's fortification may be attacked and takøn. But 3 $ there there is nothing new in the plan of operation which he has proposed, and it is to be exceedingly regretted, that so acute and intelligent an engineer, has not fully examined, and remarked with more exactness upon M.Carnot's system for the construction of a fortified place. Is it acknowledged that we have arrived at perfection in fortification, and that no further improvement can be made in the art of defence? The late General Jarry informed his pupils that he had a new system of fortification to propose, but he did not shew it to any of the officers who were under his tuition; and from what is since known, it does not appear that he had any new system to offer, otherwise it would have been adopted by some of our engineers. The destructive effect of enfilade and ricochet batteries, is still felt in sieges, and no effectual remedy has yet been prepared. Will Sir. H. Douglas, who seems so well qualified to discuss scientific subjects or will Colonel Jones, whose history of the sieges in the Peninsula shews him to be an officer of talents and information, favour us with a more perfect system of fortification than what we possess-or, at least, inform us what effectual remedy can be employed against the operation of enfilade and ricochet batteries, as traverses seem to be the only defence in use at present. It is in time of peace that the principles of war should be discussed and examined. When hostilities commence, professional men are too much employ. ed to enter deeply into military speculations. Let it be recollected, that in several sieges in the Peninsula, great faults were committed: the right of our approaches at Badajoz was so ill covered as to be open to an enfilade; and at Burgos and St. Sebastian, there were several instances of a palpable want of knowledge manifested in the attack of fortified places. A BRITISH OFFICER. Nov. 12. 1821. For the Monthly Magazine. canoes, of which you have already heard so much, that I have decided simply to relate to you what came under my own observation. We began our march in frightful roads, amidst rocks of lava which cover the first part of the route, Our mules, habituated to these rough passes, never once stumbled; but an accident happening tomine embarrassed me greatly. I felt my foot wet, and one side of my pantaloons was covered with blood; I alighted, and perceived that my mule had been recently hurt. With a handkerchief and thong we bound up the wound, and continued our journey in a road covered with lava, but bordered with superb Indian fig trees, (this fruit, which is despised in America, is an article of great consumption in Sicily,) ordinary fig trees, and enormous olives: every where else this tree appeared to me paltry, and of a difficult vegetation; but here it grows to admiration. After proceeding five or six miles, we passed through the village of Gravelina; where I was assailed by nearly the whole population demanding charity. The number of poor which you meet with in Sicily and Italy, is sufficient to harden the heart of the traveller, who cannot be expected to supply the wants of such idle mendicants, who languish on a land, the fruitful soil of which affords all that is necessary for subsistence. Some miles further we perceived, and afterwards passed through, another village called Masca-Luscia: it contains two churches; one of which, nearly destroyed by an earthquake, was never very remarkable, and the other is only rendered so, by a steeple fantastically decorated with stones of various colours. We arrived, in fine, at the last village, that of Nicolosi, which appeared poorer than all the rest; this was surely in former times, the Town of Etna, where the inhabitants of Catania took refuge, on the arrival of the Greeks: the environs abound in olive trees and vineyards, which produce excellent wine. All this part was covered with ashes by the erup ́LETTERS from the SOUTH of ITALY, by tion of Monte Rosso, a secondary vol cano which formed itself at the time of the last eruption. Monte Rosso is one of those mountains by which Etna is surrounded. It appears that when an eruption takes place, the lava making its way on the flanks of the mountains, pierces the ground in the place which offers the least resistance, and there forms a swelling, which it afterwards consolidates ling of the leaves, and by the trampling of our mules, every thing led me to reflection. How can we reconcile the evident primitiveness of Etna with what Moses informs us of the creation of the world? It is true, he does not say that God created the world in infancy; and if He made Adam at the age of thirty years, He might also well create Etna with an open crater, and its flanks covered with lava. While journeying along, I asked my consolidates by flowing from above. In this village we found the guide, or, as he is called, the Pilot of Etua. After some conversation, he engaged to ascend for three piastres, about twelve shillings and sixpence. From thence to the convent, where we were to rest our beasts, we had no more than a mile to go, which we performed in coasting along Monte Rosso, whose summit was gilded by the sun, and behind which it had already set, when we arrived. This mountain is several miles in cir-guide if it was true, as I had read, that cumference. I profited by the last light the mountain subsisted all kinds of of the sky, in order to sketch a view game and wild beasts: he begged me of the convent, which although of the not to be afraid: I repeated the quescommon extent, is nevertheless very tion to him, and received the same repicturesque. Built against a small hill, ply, he being still persuaded that the long since become cold, and covered fear of encountering ferocious animals with woods, it seems sheltered from the caused me to speak in that manner. I destructive effects of the volcano; from should, notwithstanding, be led to bethe other side, between superb fir trees, lieve that the mountain, considering you perceive the sea, the plains of Ca- its extent and gradual temperature, tania and Syracuse. You are received might well support them; but it seems into the convent nearly in the same to me that Mr. Brydone gave too wide manner as you would be at an inn; the a scope to his imagination, when he best situated room for the view is re- described Etna as a general botanic served for strangers; but is very in- garden, an almost universal menagerie. differently furnished. We were four As for the rest, I had not the pleasure hours in coming from Catania, which of seeing any of these animals, and we is, notwithstanding, only a distance of arrived without molestation, at the twelve miles. Being provided with a extremity of their domain, the forest, fowl, &c. I supped pretty well, slept in which may be about six miles in width. my cloak, and we set out at half past We then entered into the most fantasnine by moon light, the guide, servant, tical lavas; they have more of a slope, and myself, on our mules, the mule- and the crevices which form there, as driver always on foot. We first entered soon as they become cold, acquire more into an immense torrent of lava; the extent, and present a more rent appearuncertain ̧ glimmerings of the moon ance. It was one o'clock, and already gave an extraordinary aspect to the huge the wind blew piercingly cold. masses by which I was surrounded. I forgot to tell you, that in this convent, which is very convenient for the traveller visiting Etua, as he there dines and rests himself, you also put on winter clothing; in fact, that season drawing near when we quitted the monastery. You might have seen me then on the 21st of August, dressed nearly in the same manner as in England in the month of December. Soon after, long shadows scattered here and there, and a trembling of the leaves, announced the approach to the forest of oaks, which formerly encircled Etna to the height of several miles; but which an immense torrent of lava had cruelly ravaged. The light of the moon, the huge and broken rocks, the great oaks, whose vegetation surprises the beholder, in the midst of lavas, the silence of my guides, interrupted only by the rust was I was sorry not to have brought a thermometer, but I had not been able to find one for sale, either at Messina or at Catania. As for a barometer, it would have been almost useless to me; the custom of calculating the elevation with this instrument, is extremely blameable. Some have found the elevation of Etna to be twelve thousand feet, and others twenty-four thousand. Cassini reckons ten fathoms for the falling line of the mercury, by adding one to the first ten, two to the second, &c., but he has never surely made the experiment of his method on very high mountains, where the air is rarefied in a much more rapid progression. Etna might be measured trigonometrically, for it descends as far as the sea, the shore being taken for the base. We may even have an approaching idea of its elevation by the time which the un's |