LEGEND AND ItOMANCE.
It' we decide upon the nature of a particular class of works by the qualities they usually display,—and criticism, incapable of originating any thing, has no other means of decision,—we may say that a novel is a picture of manners and society, contemporary or nearly so, in spirit if not inflict; that a romance deals with the wild and wonderful of former times or distant countries—their superstitions, history, or individual adventure ; but that a tale has no limitation whatever. Besides the merit of the narration and the interest of the story, a novel or romance, to take high rank, must possess knowledge of society, and of human nature, as modified by national characte- ristics, as well as the power to show the persons of the story in dramatic action. In the humble tale, those qualities are not re- quired. What though the lover in Elizabeth is not very likely to have been found amongst nobility so infamously corrupt as those of' Russia; and though some matter-of-fact fellow, by "inquiries upon the spot," scattered to the winds the sentiment of Paul and Virginia; we yet regard them as pictures, which, if not like, we could wish to he so, when, being tired and disgusted with our con- cerns, we deem ourselves weary of the world. Tested by the rule laid down, Mr. JOHNS' half-dozen Afri- can and European Legends will occupy a very forward station amongst works which we read for amusement. The author has a good deal of fluency and fancy ; his stories are sufficiently probable, and have both interest in themselves and vigour in their telling; and the writer's experience in the "service," if' it has not enabled him to penetrate the interior of the national character of the Africans and Southern Europeans, has given him a sufficient know- ledge of its externals to avoid gross errors. The tale of "The Pirate Island," involving the lower class of English middle life, and the characters of seafaring ruffians, depraved by their lawless and cruel trade, but possessing touches of humanity about them, is en- titled to still higher praise as a work of art; whilst, like all true imitations of nature, it possesses an unforced moral. Here is 'fs
passing sketch. The subject is an interview between the second in command and the wounded chief of the pirates.
The roof of the cave wherein he confided to his lieutenant his final instruc- tions, and which was Kent's usual abode when on the island, has now fallen in ; but the hollow in which was comprised its recesses may yet be traced amidst the crags of the western cliffs. Here, stretched on a conch made from the skins ot the African Boer, reclined an athletic form cast in a mould of manly proportion and beauty, which told of power and agility ; but the sallow hollow cheek and the deep-set and blood-shot gray eye, looking out from wrinkled folds of skin tinged with blackness, as if scorched by the wild fire of its gaze, bespoke that strength wasting and that activity fettered by disease.
"You must Ito without me, Blood, that's plain enough, for move I cannot; so here you will find me on your return. Only mind my instructions as to vonr course ; and I doubt not you will be able to furnish goods enough for the 'South American market ; and there will lie as clear accounts in the dealings as if I, Thomas Kent, was at the helm of affairs—where I hope to be next trip."
Blood accepted the outstretched hand of his captain, and promised obedience to all commands. Folding tip the charts which had been referred to in the course of their conference, he had turned to go ; but, as if suddenly recollecting himself, he again faced Kent, who just then yielding to a paroxysm of pain, writhed with an expression of agony in his countenance has proud spirit ill brooked being witnessed by human eye. " Why do you not go, Sir ?" almost roared the infuriated pirate. " Death and the Devil send that black hag from above to me. Who required you to watch me ? I want you neither for nurse nor doctor." Blond, though a thoroughgoing villain, had that sort of instinctive love for his captain which may be remarked in bull-dogs, who generally love and Mow those most ready to hound them on in their career : thus he bore with patience this abuse, and replied coolly—" Indeed, Captain Kent, I meant no harm. I should make a sorry doctor, being more used to make wounds than mend them. But I was just thinking tied, if we fell in with it surgeon in any ship we might hoard, may it not be as well to bring him back with us, in Case your hopes of the wound's healing should not come to pass ?" Actually touched by this mark of consideration in his subordinate, Kent's anger was ntipeased ; and, half apologizing for his stern rebuke, he rejoined, " Thank ye, thank ye : never mind what I said, Blood ; you know I did not mean it. Bring doctor and nurse too, if you like; they may be better than wine or gold to a wretch like me." Ile turned his fitee to the side of the cave, waving his hand in token of dis- rni,sal; and Blood, relieving his commander of lits presence, lust no time in descending to his boat. Ile rejoined his vessel; and ere the sun had set, was standing away to the southward at time rate of seven knots an hour.
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