and rebellious subjects; that I had always deprecated the dismemberment of any part of a great empire; and hoped Turkey would take an example from what was now occurring, and determine not to lay down her arms until she had re-established her empire; that the party I belonged to in England shared in the liveliest manner the deep interest that his Majesty's cause inspired; and that the facilities which were now afforded to visit Constantinople would bring, no doubt, numbers of my countrymen annually to witness the beauties with which nature had crowned the Bosphorus.

The marchioness was the second lady that has been presented to the sultan. Her account of the interview and of what she witnessed will be read with special interest. We quote a part:

I was desired to find myself at the Ischeragan Palace, for my audience of the Sultan. Some difficulty arose as to who I should select to accompany me. Madame Francini was objected to by my Austrian friends, as too great a proof of the Court arrangements being under Russian influence. Reschid Pasha undertook to interpret, and it was suggested that I might go alone. This, however, seemed inconvenient: I therefore proposed to Mrs. Walker, the wife of Captain Walker, the Turkish Admiral, to go with me: she gladly accepted; and at eleven o'clock, on a cold snowy morning, we packed ourselves into a small close carriage (the first covered one I had seen in Turkey) which Reschid Pasha kindly sent; and we set out.

We entered a small waiting-room, where we found some Austrian officers also expecting their audience. They informed me of what I had not discovered, that for some reason the place named had been changed; and that I was not, as I imagined, in the Ischeragan Palace, but in the Beschititasche; that they had already gone to the former and found no one there, and that there appeared to be a singular confusion in all the arrangements. Coffee was then handed to us in tiny cups, not containing above a thimbleful, but placed in the most beautiful little jewelled stands or egg-cups, of pink enamel and diamonds. large brasiero stood in the middle of the apartment, and a low embroidered divan ran round it.

A

At length the Marechal du Palais came in, and some attendants. Coffee was again served; and soon after Reschid Pasha appeared. He speaks French perfectly; and having been Ambassador in France and England, has become quite European. We waited some time; coffee was once more brought; and much whispering, confusion, and embarrassment followed. At length they all went away, leaving us with the Austrian strangers, who were much amused at the sensation produced by the apparition of Frank women within these walls. The Turks occasionally lifted up the curtain over the entrance into the room, and peeped in to gaze at us. I was en grande tenue as to toilette; and this added to their astonishment. Madame W, the only lady who was ever received before myself, had gone in a hat, and without her jewels, having unfortunately left them at Odessa: her audience, however, had been less en règle than mine, and had more the character of an accidental rencontre. A great step has been made, and probably this approach to civilization will continue to advance; and perhaps, in a few years, ladies will be received at this court as they are at any other.

At last Reschid Pasha, the Marechal du Palais, &c. returned, having put on their diamond decorations; and after waiting again some time, for nothing in Turkey is ever done in a hurry, we were requested to follow them.

Her ladyship was shown many apartments and things extraordinary to her. But her expectancy was not yet satisfied. She must tell

the rest.

Expecting every moment to enter the presence of the Sultan, and at length being shown into a small side ante-room, where I was least prepared for the meeting, he walked quietly in and suddenly stood before us.

The usual fez was on his head; a large military cloak hung round him, clasped at the throat with a magnificent giraffe of enormous diamonds; a large solitaire was on his little finger. He is tall, pale, sallow, and slight, with fine eyes, a sweet smile, and amiable expression of countenance. He is only eighteen years of age. It is said he is learning French, and is much more au fait de tout ce qui se passe than is generally imagined. The Prince de Joinville, when here, saw and conversed much with him; and lately a good deal has transpired as to his manner and ideas from a Russian painter who has just finished his picture, and with whom he had much conversation during his several sittings.

He did not bow, but immediately began talking to Reschid Pasha; who, having paid his homage, which is done by gracefully faisant semblant to pick up the dust from the feet, according to the expression, “ Je baise la poussière,” interpreted to me the Sultan's words. He expressed his pleasure and satisfaction at seeing me, and his hope that I had recovered from the fatigue of my journey. To this I replied. He then inquired if I had been at all rewarded for what I had suffered, and for the deprivation of the comforts and luxuries of England. I then requested Reschid Pasha to express my admiration of Constantinople, my gratification at my visit and reception, and my gratitude at having been allowed to see everything that was curious and interesting.

The Sultan inquired if I had visited the Tsche ragan Palace; and on my answering in the negative, he desired that orders might be given for it to be shown to me. He then inquired who the lady was who accompanied me; and on being told her name, he desired Reschid Pasha to express the pleasure be felt at having an opportunity of telling her how highly he valued her husband's services. After a happily-worded reply from her, to the effect that she had equal delight in being able to assure his majesty that he had not now a more faithfl servant than Admiral Walker, the Sultan expressed his regret at my intention of leaving Constantinople so soon, and then suddenly vanished.

I was reconducted to the door of the palace by Reschid Pasha and the Marechal; who eagerly inquired what I thought of their Imperial master. They seemed pleased with the praise and approbation I bestowed; and Reschid Pasha interpreted to the other all I said; and told him also of my having twice seen the Sultan dismount from his horse on the Constantinople quay, and enter his beautiful caique, and return to his palace on the Pera side. then took leave of Reschid Pasha, endeavouring to express my gratitude for all his kindness and attention.

I

573

NOTICES.

ART. XVI-Gas Meters. By HENRY FLOWER.

Ir is seldom that we find crammed into so small a space so much that is curious and practical as Mr. Flower has contrived to present in this pamphlet. In the course of sixteen pages, no more, about Gas Meters, their unfairness, and the loss sustained by the individuals who use them, it is made perfectly clear that the public is deeply gulled by the Gas Companies. We quote a portion of his general statement. Mr. Flower says

"It is rather singular that this subject, which I have brought before the public, has never been pressed upon its attention before, and that it has not exercised that very caution for itself which the various Gas Companies for their protection take care to enforce.

"It is notorious, that if a person desires to purchase a meter for himself, before it is allowed to be fixed on his premises, it must first of all be sent to the works of the company from whence the gas is to be supplied, for examination, and its permit obtained for use. The companies thus take care that no meter can be used, and therefore made, that will give a maximum of measure, while the public on its part has never investigated the quantity that is the standard of the companies' liberality.

"We know how useful and requisite it is to weigh and measure the various articles that we receive for our household economy. Why then should not the public have control over this pabulum of illumination that enters so largely into its expenditure? And why have meters been allowed so long to be a lucus a non lucendo?

"The results that I have given have been from actual inspection, and they may be tested by all, without the aid of any chemical or scientific knowledge, and I believe that an examination of this kind will prove that though many of the Gas Companies are directed by men of unquestionable worldly honour, that the measure of their meters is neither just nor honest.

"And this is not the only complaint to be urged against the Gas Companies. The gas generated in their factories is of a very indifferent quality; a poor coal is used, and instead of presenting a richly carburetted gas, a highly hydroge nated gas, which occasions an excessive heat during combustion, is only afforded. The Gas Companies are now lying upon their oars; they require a pressure from without, to stimulate them to improvement. The time was, when one of them (the Chartered Gas Company), to show the advantages of gas, and to induce others to adopt the plan, fitted up and supplied shops and houses with gas, free of expense! Why do not some of them show now what gas illumination is capable of?

"Notwithstanding this want of desire of improvement on their part, gaslighting, both as regards economy and effect, has reached very great perfection. But the thanks of the public are due to private individuals. To Mr. George Lowe it is indebted for a method of purifying gas, by getting rid of its ammo. niacal and sulphurous contents, and thus obviating any consequent injury to health, or damage to goods; and so satisfied are medical men that the former VOL. II. (1842.) No. IV.

T T

object has been accomplished, that Sir James Clark has now admitted gas into Her Majesty's drawing-rooms, and extensive fittings are at this period going on in the palace, under the direction of Mr. Faraday; but not, be it borne in mind, for the purpose of introducing the poverty-stricken cadaverous-looking-making gas of our Gas Companies, but Mr Lowe's valuable naphthalised product.

"The public is deeply obliged to this gentleman for this important discovery of impregnating coal gas with naphtha, or spirit of coal tar, or with other volatile hydro-carbonaceous liquids, by which a light is produced, approximating almost to the brightness and truthfulness of day.

"The period is not very distant, when gas lighting will become as common in private houses, as it is at this time in our shops and theatres. Gas can now be deprived of its impurities, the light from it can be produced so perfect, as to enable any one to match colours by it; and as regards economy, I have no hesitation in stating, that if any one chooses to avail himself of the latest improvements for its consumption, and for increasing its brilliancy, that from ten to fifteen per cent. may be saved over its present cost; and where the meter is registering water, as well as gas, that ten to thirty per cent. gain may be accomplished, and that simply by attending to the following conditions:1. That the gas shall be naphthalised; 2. That Platow's double cone burners shall be used; 3. That the gas meter shall give just measure."

The exposure of the unfairness of gas meters, as .they are at present supplied by the Companies, is accompanied with plain and interesting instructions for "Proving their Deficiency of Measure, and Directions for keeping a Meter in order." Interesting, we say; for while scientific knowledge is displayed in the brief and lucid description of the nature and construction of a meter, its principles and modes of working, as well as of indicating, are so analogous to what is to be studied in an eight-day clock, that it is impossible to speak of them with understanding, and not to excite and gratify curiosity. We oriue that the pamphlet will produce a stir.

ART. XVII.—A Plain and Direct Translation of the Inferno of Dante. By CH. HINDLEY, Esq.

THE intention of this translation, which is in prose, each stanza being preserved distinct, or in a separate paragraph, and the same breaks occurring as in the original,—is, "to render the design, character, and incidents of the Divina Commedia familiar to English readers." Short explanatory notes appear at the bottom of almost every page, necessary to the student's understanding of the allegory, and sometimes of the style, the language, or the abbreviations of the poet.

Dante is one of the most untranslatable authors to be met with in any language; not merely from the circumstances just mentioned, and which have called for Mr. Hindley's notes, but owing to the extraordinary compression and the severe simplicity of the language of the poem; being at once stern and grand, so as to repel and baffle most students who desire to become acquainted with the great master. It can hardly be said that any of the translations in verse, which we have, affords a clue to the original; for, as Mr. H. says, in proportion as the English version shall be poetically perfect, in that proportion will it be

defective as a true representation of the original; whereas a free unfettered prose translation is not open to the objection.

We believe the present is by far the best guide that has yet appeared in our language to a proper understanding of all but a sealed book to the generality even of accomplished readers. It cannot fail, we are persuaded, to promote a taste amongst us for Italian literature, which is Mr. Hindley's prime object. The present instalment gives us only the first four cantos; and he appears to hesitate to publish more until he has been assured of public, or at least critical approval of the attempt. But let him not, in his modesty, delay one moment bringing the work to a conclusion. If he meet not at once with all the encouragement he deserves, the reward, we are convinced, will not be long withheld, viz., that of having attracted popular liking for the study of Dante, and necessarily for the language of this great father of thought and expression. We must cite a passage from the preface to the version.

"When this translation was commenced, I had no expectation that English words could be found to approach sufficiently near to be admissible as a true representation of the text, and at the same time agreeable to read, or even intelligible; but further trial and increased pains brought me to believe Dante might be so far faithfully rendered in plain and direct prose, as not to be unacceptable to English readers, and especially those desirous of acquiring a correct knowledge of the design, character, and incidents of this extraordi nary poem, but unable to obtain that gratification from the original Italian."

ART. XVIII.—The Cottage on the Common, and the Little Gleaners. By C. M.

C. M., author of "The Child and the Hermit," has in the neat little book before us taken for themes passages of scripture. Besides suitable comments, there are descriptions and incidents prefixed and introduced, to win over and to rivet the attention of the young.

ART. XIX.-Modern French Literature. By MONS. RAYMOND DE

VERICOUR. Edin.

One of the Messrs. Chambers' translations, and an acceptable addition to their series of publications for the special enlightenment of the "people." It is proper and necessary that the general English reader should make himself acquainted with the actual condition of the literature of our neighbours; for thereby he is sure, without travel by steam-boat and coach, to acquire enlarged and more liberal notions of the community among whom that literature has sprung up and become popular. The present work, in a moderate and accessible compass, supplies an agreeable and tolerably correct account of the French authors of the day, and the works they have written: together with many facts and sundry speculations that fall within the purpose of the book. The following concerns the French periodical press :

It

"It has hitherto been found impracticable to maintain a French review on the plan of the best English reviews, for which we cannot well account. may be that the impossibility arises from the public mind in France being too versatile and transient, and from parties and opinions undergoing such rapid