except as a favor, through the merchants. Į to reside in, yet there is a wide field for But the best and most delicious teas are not realizing large fortunes in honest trade, unexported, being of too costly a nature and connected with that abomination, the trade too much prized by the Chinese; they are in opium. There are many shops, in Vickept for presents. The value is calculated toria, which, with few exceptions, are kept by its weight in silver-a katty of silver to by Chinese. Amongst these are several a katty of tea. which attract the attention of ladies, where curiosities, and fancy articles of all descriptions, are exposed for sale. I have never entered one of these shops with a lady in Victoria, or in Canton (where certainly superior articles are to be had), without fear and trembling. The Chinese are so fearfully depraved, that they expose publicly in their shops, obscene prints, books, and even toys, thus attempting to deprave the very mind of infancy.

I have tasted some of this tea, and the flavor and aroma of it is most delicious. The mandarins are as curious in their collections of teas, as our connoisseurs are in their cellars of wine; and the wealthy Chinaman takes as much pleasure in getting a friend to taste his various teas, as an English gentleman would experience in producing his various wines to a good judge. Although China is an expensive country

From the New Monthly Magazine.

JOHN KEATS.

Life, Letters, and Literary Remains of John Keats. Edited by Richard Monckton Milnes. 2 vols.

Edward Moxon.

IT was the misfortune of Keats, as a poet, "With the works of Keats," says Mr. to be either extravagantly praised or un- Monckton Milnes, "I had always felt a mercifully condemned. The former had strong sympathy, accompanied by a ceaseits origin in the generous partialities of less wonder at their wealth of diction and friendship, somewhat obtrusively dis-imagery, which was increased by the conplayed; the latter in some degree, to re-sciousness that all that he had produced sentment of that friendship, connected as it was with party politics, and peculiar views of society as well as of poetry.

An interval of more than a quarter of a century has fully entitled a brother poet, to come forward as the biographer of John Keats to dispel alike illusions and prejudices. Keats, it is now acknowledged, was a true poet; he had the creative fancy, the ideal enthusiasm, and the nervous susceptibility of the poetical temperament. I, it has been justly remarked, we consider his extreme youth and delicate health, his solitary and interesting self-instruction, the severity of the attacks made upon him by his hostile and powerful critics, and above all, the original richness and picturesqueness of his conceptions and imagery, even when they run to waste, he appears to be one of the greatest of the young self-taught poets. Michael Bruce, and Henry Kirk White cannot for a moment be compared with him he is more like the Milton of "Lycidas," or the Spenser of the "Tears

of the Muses."

was rather a promise than an accomplishment; he had ever seemed to me to have done more at school in poetry, than any man who had made it the object of a mature life. This adolescent character had given me an especial interest in the moral history of this Marcellus of the empire of English song, and when my imagination measured what he might have become by what he was, it stood astounded at the result."

The presenting to public view the true picture of a man of genius, without either wounding the feelings of mourning friends or detracting from his existing reputation, obliged his biographer to consider what course was most likely to raise the character of Keats in the estimation of those most capable of judging it.

rules and limitations of Art, not only unlearned, | Even the preliminary arrangements for but careless of knowledge, not only exaggerated giving these documents to the world, were but despising proportion. I knew that his moral actually in progress, when the accident of disposition was assumed to be weak, gluttonous attending a meeting on the subject of the of sensual excitement, querulous of severe judg ment, fantastical in its taste, and lackadaisical in Colonization of New Zealand altered all its sentiments. He was all but universally be- Mr. Brown's plans, and led to his colleclieved to have been killed by a stupid, savage, tions of Keats's writings, accompanied with article in a review, and to the compassion gene- a biographical notice, being transferred to rated by his untoward fate he was held to owe a their present editor. certain personal interest, which his poetic reputation hardly justified.

John Keats was born in London, October 29th, 1795 (not 1796, as generally recorded), in the house of his grandfather, the proprietor of large livery stables on the Pavement in Moorfields. He was a seventh month child, but his constitution is said not to have exhibited any peculiar signs of debility during childhood. In due time he

was sent with his brother George, older than himself, and Thomas, younger, to a school at Enfield, then in high repute. It was not, however, till after he had been some time at school, that his intellectual ambition suddenly developed itself; he determined to carry off all the first prizes in literature, and he succeeded. The quantity of translations which he made during the last two years of his stay at Enfield is said to have been surprizing.

"When, then, I found, from the undeniable documentary evidence of his inmost life, that nothing could be farther from the truth than this opinion, it seemed to me, that a portrait, so dissimilar from the general assumption, would hardly obtain credit, and might rather look like the production of a paradoxical partiality than the result of conscientious inquiry. I had to show that Keats, in his intellectual character, reverenced simplicity and truth above all things, and abhorred whatever was merely strange and strong-that he was ever learning and ever growing more conscious of his own ignorance,-that his models were always the highest and the purest, and that his earnestness in aiming at their excellence, was only equal to the humble estimation of his own efforts that his poetical course was one of distinct and positive progress, exhibiting a self command and self-direction which enabled him to understand and avoid the faults even of the writers he was most naturally inclined to esteem, and On the death of their remaining parent, to liberate himself at once, not only from the fet the young Keatses were consigned to the ters of literary partizanship, but even from the guardianship of Mr. Abbey, a merchant. subtler influences and associations of the accidental John was apprenticed for five years to Mr. literary spirit of his own time. I had also to ex- Hammond, a surgeon at Edmonton. hibit the moral peculiarities of Keats as the effects of a strong will, passionate temperament, indomi- this time his friend and literary counsellor table courage, and a somewhat contemptuous dis- was Charles Cowden Clarke, in whom the regard of other men-to represent him as unflinch- poet found a companion capable of sympaingly meeting all criticism of his writings, and thizing with all his highest tastes and finest caring for the Article, which was supposed to have sentiments, and his powers gradually exhad such homicidal success, just so far as it was panded in so genial an atmosphere. Spenan evidence of the little power he had as yet acquired over the sympathies of mankind, and no ser, Chaucer, and Byron were his especial I had to make prominent the brave front favorites, and the strange tragedy of the he opposed to poverty and pain-to show, how fate of Chatterton, the Marvellous Boy, love of pleasure was in him continually subordi- the sleepless soul that perished in its nate to higher aspirations, notwithstanding the pride," so disgraceful to the age in which sharp zest of enjoyment which his mercurial na-it occurred and so awful a warning to all ture conferred on him; and above all, I had to others of the cruel evils, which the mere illustrate how little he abused his full possession apathy and ignorance of the world can inof that imaginative faculty, which enables the poet to vivify the phantoms of the hour, and to flict on genius, is a frequent subject of purify the objects of sense, beyond what the allusion and interest in his letters and moralist may sanction, or the mere practical man poems written at this time.

more.

can understand "

To effect these objects, Mr. Milnes deemed it best to act simply as editor of the Life which was, as it were, already written. Few of the remains of the poet had escaped the affectionate care of Mr. Charles Brown, a retired Russia merchant, at once a devoted friend and protector of John Keats.

At

Upon removing to London, professedly with the view to walk the hospitals, one of his acquaintance, and one who had much influence upon his subsequent career, was Mr. Leigh Hunt, at that time alike eminent for his poetical originality and his political persecutions. The heart of Keats leaped towards the persecuted poet in human and poetic brotherhood, and the earnest Sonnet

on the day he left his prison riveted the connexion. Through Leigh Hunt he also became intimate with Hazlitt, Shelley, Haydon, and Godwin, with Mr. Basil Montague and his distinguished family, and with Mr. Charles Ollier, a young publisher, himself a poet, who, out of sheer admiration, offered to publish a volume of his productions. This little work, the beloved first-born of so great a genius, scarcely touched the public attention. It is not surprising, therefore, that Keats attributed his want of success to the favorite scapegoat of unhappy authors-an inactive publisher-and incurred the additional affliction of a breach of his friendship with Mr. Ollier.

that he was unfit for the line of life on which he had expended so many years of his study, and a considerable part of his property, and he records in a letter to Reynolds, how he first repaired to the country in the pursuit of health, and, by Haydon's advice, to brace his powers by undistracted study.

MY DEAR REYNOLDS,-My brothers were anxious that I should go by myself into the country; they have always been extremely fond of me, and it is that I should be alone to improve myself, now that Haydon has pointed out how necessary they give up the temporary pleasure of being with me continually for a great good which I hope will follow; so I shall soon be out of town. You must soon bring all your present troubles to a close, and so must I, but we must, like the Fox, prepare for a fresh swarm of flies. Banish mo

world.

In the previous autumn Keats was in the habit of frequently passing the evening in his friend'sney-Banish sofas-Banish wine-Banish music;" painting-room, where many men of genius were Jack Health. Banish Health and banish all the but right Jack Health, honest Jack Health, true wont to meet, and, sitting before some picture on which he was engaged, criticize, argue, defend, attack, and quote their favorite writers. Keats used to call it "Making us wings for the night." The morning after one of these innocent and happy symposia, Haydon received a note inclosing the picturesque sonnet

Great Spirits now on earth are sojourning, &c.

Keats adding, that the preceding evening had wrought him up, and he could not forbear sending it. Haydon in his acknowledgment, suggested the omission of part of it; and also mentioned that he would forward it to Wordsworth; he received this reply :

MY DEAR SIR,-Your letter has filled me with a proud pleasure, and shall be kept by me as a stimulus to exertion. I begin to fix my eyes on an horizon. My feelings entirely fall in with yours with regard to the ellipsis, and I glory in it. The idea of your sending it to Wordsworth puts me out of breath-you know with what reverence I would send my well wishes to him,

Yours sincerely,

JOHN KEATS.

It should here be remembered that Wordsworth was not then what he is now, that he was confounded with much that was thought ridiculous and unmanly in the new school, and that it was something for so young a student to have torn away the veil of prejudice then hanging over that now-honored name, and to have proclaimed his reverence in such earnest words, while so many men of letters could only scorn or jeer.

The little congeniality of the profession to which Keats had been brought up, and the career opened to him by his literary success and connexions, became every day more manifest. He was soon convinced

Your sincere friend,
JOHN KEATS.

He first repaired to Carisbrooke, in the Isle of Wight, where he amusingly describes himself, in another letter to the same invaluable friend, as unpacking his ning up Haydon, and Mary, Queen of books, putting them in a snug corner, pinScotts, and Milton with his daughters, in a row. In the same letter (dated April 17, 1817), he announces his intention to forthwith commence his "Endymion." It apas he called it, with its alleys, copses, and pears that the sojourn in Primrose Island, quiet freshes, did not answer his expectations. In a letter to Mr. Hunt, written in the early part of May, from Margate, he says:

I went to the Isle of Wight, thought so much about poetry, so long together, that I could not get any sleep at night; and moreover, I know not how it is, I could not get wholesome food. By this means, in a week or so, I became not over capable in my upper stories, and set off pell-mell for Margate, at least 150 miles, because, forsooth, I fancied I should like my old lodgings here, and could continue to do without trees. Another thing, I was too much in solitude, and consequently was obliged to be in continual burning of with me at present, and we are very comfortable. thought as an only resource. However, Tom is We intend, though, to get among some trees. the nymphs?-I suppose they have led you a fine How have you got on among them? How are dance. Where are you now?

This letter is signed John Keats, alias Junkets, an appellation given him in play

"Give my sincerest respects to Mrs. Dilke saying that I have not forgiven myself for no having got her the little box of medicine I promised, and that, had I remained at Hampstead, I would have made precious havoc with her house and furniture-drawn a great harrow over her garden-poisoned Boxer-eaten her clothes-pegs

upon his name, and in allusion to his friends of Fairy-land. It appears that, notwithstanding his migratory fever, he was at this time advancing with his poem, and had come to an arrangement with Messrs. Taylor and Hessey respecting its publication. The following letter, fried her cabbages-fricaseed (how is it spelt?) which is so highly characteristic of its author, indicates that these gentlemen gave him tangible proofs of their interest in his welfare.

Margate, May 16th, 1817. MY DEAR SIR, I am extremely indebted to you for your liberality in the shape of manufactured rag, value £20, and shall immediately proceed to destroy some of the minor heads of that hydra the Dun; to conquer which the knight need have no sword, shield, cuirass, cuisses, herbadgeon, spear, casque, greaves, paldrons, spurs, chevron, or any other scaly commodity, but he need only take the Bank-note of Faith and Cash of Salvation, and set out against the monster, invoking the aid of no Archinago or Urganda, but finger me the paper, light as the Sybil's leaves in Virgil, whereat the fiend skulks off with the tail between his legs. Touch him with this enchanted paper, and he whips you his head away as fast as a snail's horn; but then the horrid propensity he has to put it up again has discouraged many very valiant knights. He is such a never-ending, still-beginning, sort of a body, like my landlady of the Bell. I think I could make a nice little allegorical poem, called

..

her radishes-ragouted her onions-belabored her beat-root-outstripped her scarlet-runners-parlez-vous'd with her french-beans-devoured her mignon or mignionette-metamorphosed her bellhandles-splintered her looking-glasses-bullocked at her cups and saucers-agonized her decanters-put old P- to pickle in the brine-tub disorganized her piano-dislocated her candlesticks-empted her wine-bins in a fit of despairturned out her maid to grass-and astonished B-; whose letter to her on these events I would rather see than the original copy of the

Book of Genesis."

Of Mr. Dilke, he says, in the same letter; "Tell him to shoot fair, and not to have at the poor devils in a furrow; when they are flying, he may fire, and nobody will be the wiser." To Reynolds he writes at about the same period; "So you are sword at me, and I will forgive-put a buldetermined to be my mortal foe-draw a let in my brain, and I will shake it out as a dew-drop from the lion's mane-put me on a gridiron and I will fry with great comThe Dun," where we would placency-but-oh, horror! to come upon have the Castle of Carelessness, the Drawbidge of Credit, Sir Novelty Fashion's expedition against As I say to my tailor, send me bills and I'll me in the shape of a dun !-Send me bills! the City of Tailors, &c., &c. I went day by day at my poem for a month; at the end of which time, never employ you more." the other day, I found my brain so overwrought, that I had neither rhyme nor reason in it, so was obliged to give up for a few days. I hope soon to be able to resume my work. I have endeavored to do so once or twice; but to no purpose. Instead of poetry, I have a swimming in my head, and feel all the effects of a mental debauch, lowness of spirits, anxiety to go on, without the power to do so, which does not at all tend to my ultimate progression. However, to-morrow I will begin my next month. This evening I go to Canterbury, having got tired of Margate: I was not right in my head when I came. At Canterbury hope the remembrance of Chaucer will set me forward like a billiard ball. I have some idea of seeing the Continent some time this summer. In repeating how sensible I am of your kindness, I remain, your obedient servant and friend,

JOHN KEATS.

I

This habit of following out an idea into all its most fantastic ramifications, rollicking in the fun of the thing, without much regard to a perfectly correct diction or imagery, is amusingly pourtrayed in the following extract from a letter written from Oxford, whither he repaired in September...

The first three books of "Endymion " were finished in September, and portions of the poem had come to be seen and canvassed by literary friends. With a singular anticipation of the injustice and calumny he should be subject to as belonging to

the Cockney School," his biographer remarks, he began at this time to stand up stoutly for his originality whatever it might be, not being marred by the assistance, influence, or counsel of Hunt, or any one

else.

In November, Keats was at Leatherhead, and his correspondence from thence contains many touches that do credit to his head and heart. "To a man of your nature," he says, in a letter to Mr. Bailey, "such a letter as -'s must have been extremely cutting. What occasions the greater part of the world's quarrels ? Simply this: two minds meet, and do not understand each other time enough to prevent any shock or surprise at the conduct of either party. As soon as I had known three days, I had got enough of his