The .Second Series of Sketches in Prose and Verse, by
G. H. RICHARDSON, contains some pretty poetry of the Annual genus, and a few pleasing though not very natural tales of a similar kind, with an essay or two on graver matters, as the Hebrew and the German languages and literature. The author, late Curator of the Mantellian Institution, also draws upon his scientific know- ledge, and besides sundry prose descriptions of the geological cu- riosities in the Mantellian Museum, he chants the praises of Dr. MANTELL and the wonders of his collection in verse. Here is a touch of the latter. " 'Tis indeed a world of wonder, Found within the earth and under ; Fancied forms and wild chimeras, Creatures of primeval ter" Startling all our ancient notions, Showing lands of old were oceans ; Showing oceans once were dry, As the mountains mid and high : Wondrous shapes, and tales terrific, Told in Nature's hieroglyphic ; Written in her countless volumes, Graven on her granite columns ; Showing many a strangest mystery, From her ancient, wondrous history."
In these lines, however, the enthusiast occasionally triumphs over both poet and geologist. We perceive nothing but tautology, or if not tautology, absurdity, in the phrase "within the earth and under."
" Showing lands of old were means, Showing oceans once were dry, As the mountains old and high,"
certainly "startles all our ancient notions" of English. The lat.& was not ocean, but coeered by the ocean ; the oceans were nut dry, the water was in another pa(-e.
Previous page
