THE PORT FOLIO, FOR AUGUST, 1818. Embellished with a view of the Monument to Gen. MONTGOMERY. Correspondence, Life of Gen. Montgomery, On the Hindu Astronomy, CONTENTS. CRITICISM-Eustaphieve's De metrius, 74 75 81 86 Geology of England, 91 Conversations on the 155 ib. 152 157 Snow in Philadelphia, PHILADELPHIA: PUBLISHED BY HARRISON HALL, 133, CHESNUT-STREET: AND IN LONDON, BY JOHN SOUTER, NO. 73, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD, Agent for the sale of American Publications in England, Ireland, and Scotland. J. Maxwell, Printer. AMONG those to whom this page is addressed, there are few, we hope, who are unwilling to pay what they owe. If there be any upon whom we have any claims, they must submit to be reminded of their obligations, however unwelcome it may sound in their ears, and how reluctant soever the editor may feel to obstruct the path of literature by the grim-visaged figure of a dun. While Carelessness procrastinates what Honour should punctually perform, Discontent hovers around, and Despondency shakes her leaden wings. In our calendar, the ides of January and July are periods when every well-wisher to this establishment is expected to correspond with the publisher. The versatility of "No Strephon" is admirable. He thinks the times are gone when lovers saw nothing but despair and death in the darkness of a frown. Like Antæus, he gains strength from defeat, and attacks new objects. According to this fickle swain, The heart that's large enough for two, Will never, never break for ONE. A constant Correspondent, who is a very Proteus in his poetical contributions, and who wants more poetry, might be gratified if all our correspondents were like him. But as some of the Scottish and English critics have been pleased to find "much exquisite original poetry" in the present series of the Port Folio, Mr. Oldschool is unwilling to put the compliment in jeopardy. “A friendly hint," from Norfolk, Va., shall not be thrown away. We regret that we have not yet been able to give our readers some account of two or three books, which have recently been sent to us. The writer of the "Consolatory Lines," who wants a motto, may find one in the Twelfth Night: O. P. Q. may inquire at the post office. "Silenus" is rejected; so is-about a ream of sonnets. Charades and acrostics are scarcely ever admissible. We believe it is Swift, who exclaims, on seeing a poem superior to what he supposed the alleged author to be capable of producing, "Fine words-I wonder where the rascal stole 'em!" This line we recommend to the perusal of Adolphus, who transmitted to us, last year, Lines addressed to a young lady. ERRATA. In the poem on the death of Tasso, in our last, after the line And with whose name the world has rung, the following couplet was omitted: In misery and tears life's gloomy round, In the title-page of our last number, for Calmia, read Kalmia. 48, bottom line, for crde, read crude. 49, 8th line from bottom, for It, read The genus. THE PORT FOLIO. FOURTH SERIES. CONDUCTED BY OLIVER OLDSCHOOL, ESQ. Various; that the mind Of desultory man, studious of change And pleased with novelty, may be indulged.-Cowper. AUGUST, 1818. VOL. VI. No. II. FOR THE PORT-FOLIO. MEMOIRS OF RICHARD MONTGOMERY, MAJOR GENERAL IN THE ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES. RICHARD MONTGOMERY was born in Ireland in the year 1737, a descendant of an ancient and honourable family. After receiving a liberal education, he entered the army at an early period. In his twenty-first year we find him holding the rank of a captain in the seventeenth British regiment, under general Moncton. He had borne a full share in all the American wars and the reduction of Canada, and had therefore no common claims to promotion, But although his military abilities were highly distinguished, war and conquest had no other charms to him than as the means of peace and happiness to mankind, and he found leisure in the midst of camps to cultivate an excellent taste for philosophy and polite literature. To these he added a careful study of the arts of government and the rights of mankind; looking forward to that time when he might return to the still scenes of private life, and give a full flow to the native and acquired virtues of a heart rich in moral excellence. He had formed an early attachment, amounting even to an enthusiastic love for this country. The woodland and the plain; the face of Nature, grand, venerable, and yet rejoicing in her prime; our mighty rivers, descending in vast torrents through wild and shaggy mountains, or gliding in silent majesty through fertile vales; their numerous branches and tributary springs; our romantic scenes of rural quiet; our simplicity, then uncorrupted by luxury or flagrant vice; our love of know |