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LIFE OF LOMONOSSOVE, THE CELEBRATED
POET OF RUSSIA.

MICHAEL LOMONOSSOVE was born in the year 1711. The village of Denisow, situated on an island not far from Cholinohor, in the circle of Dwintzk of the government of Archangel, had the honor of his birth. Basil, his father, a peasant of the crown, was a fisherman by trade. Every summer and autumn, from ten years old to sixteen, his father used to take him to the fisheries on the white and north seas. They often visited Kola, and sometimes advanced to the latitude of 70°, on the northern ocean; as Lomonossove himself used to affirm to his friends. Winter they chiefly spent at home.

COW.

In three weeks they arrived at the place of their destination, where Lomonos sove passed the first night in the fish market. The following morning he awoke first, and, while his companions were asleep, reflected with pain, that in Moscow, he had neither friend nor acquaintance; that he could exwell knowing, that they being wholly occupied pect no assistance from those he came with: with their own business, would not even think of him. Irresistible grief took posses sion of him; falling on his knees, he with tears intreated Heaven not to forsake him.

At the break of day, a gentleman's steward came to order some fish; having caught sight of Lomonossove, he earnestly fixed his eye on him, and presently recognized in the youth, a countryman of his own, whose face was once familiar to him. Bisny, apprised of young Lomonossove's intentions, him to his master's house, and gave him a corner among the servants.

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The director of the caravan was acquainted with a monk who lived at Moscow, and often visited him; on the present occasion he did not fail to see him the second day after his arrival. To this monk he introduced Lomonossove, expatiated on his ardent desire of learning, and entreated that he might be placed at the seminary of the convent of Zaikonospask, to which the monk belonged. The good father readily undertook the business, and soon accomplished it. As none but gentlemen's sons were admitted into this seminary, Lomonossove did not scruple to assume the title of one. The late Archbishop of Kiow, then at Moscow, Theophanes Prokopovitch, to whom Lomonossove soon after endeared himself by his diligence and rapid progress in his studies, being apprised of this circumstance, sent for him, and thus addressed him: "Fear nothing, my young "friend, were all the bells of Moscow to "" For

The son learned to read and write from the parson of the village; but his instructions were confined to the ritual, and other books of the Russian church. When he requested to be supplied with works that might give him some knowledge of the world, he was answered, that such knowledge could not be effectually acquired, whithout the aid of Latin; but this language was taught only at St. Petersburgh, Moscow, and Kiow, which cities abounded in useful Latin books. his proficiency in arithmetic, he was indebted to his own exertions. To escape, therefore, into one of the above-mentioned cities, and devote himself to study, was an object which he long cherished in his bosom. The opportunity so anxiously awaited, at length, presented itself, in the 17th year of his age. A caravan with fish was going to Moscow; the departure of which he observed as a matter of curiosity, not exciting the least suspicion of his real design. On the following night, when his family were all asleep, he put on two shirts, and protected from the weather only by a loose dress made of undressed skin, he began his pursuit of the caravan, and overtook it at the distance of seventy versts. The director of the caravan refused, at first, to take him; but, moved by his tears and entreaties, at length, he Fonsented to gratify his wishes of seeing Mos

proclaim you an impostor, I would be your "defender."

Thus the young fugitive became one of the students in this convent, while his relations gave him up for lost; nor did they know where, or what he was, till the return of the

caravan.

He devoted himself to study with all the ardour of a young enthusiastic mind, and his success was such as could only be expected under similar circumstances. At the end of the first half year he was promoted to the se cond class, and a year after he was such a proficient, that he composed small pieces of poetry in Latin. He then commenced the study of the Greek language, and the leisure hours spent by his schoolfellows in play, he employed chiefly in exploring the stores of the convent library. Many of the books, which he found there, strengthened his knowledge of Slavonic, and, besides the various

theological works of the fathers, he found physical, philosophical and mathematical treatises. The convent library, however, was too confined to satisfy his thirst of knowledge he earnestly besought the Archimandrite to send him to Kiow, to study philosophy, physics, and mathematics; but, even there, he found to his great disappointment nothing but the mere sophistry and frivolous disputes of Aristotelian philosophy: having failed in his object, he remained at Kiow not quite a year, most of which time he spent perusing ancient records, manuscript and other books written in Slavonic, Greek and Latin.

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Soon after his return to the convent of Zaiconospask, an order came from the academy of sciences at St. Petersburgh, for transferring those students who were sufficiently versed in Latin to enter on the study of playsics and mathematics. Lomonossove was overjoyed at the long wished for opportunity, and the satisfaction of being included, at his own desire, in the number of students sent thither.

He arrived with the rest at St. Petersburgh, and was placed in a seminary depending on the academy, where he acquired the principles of philosophy and mathematics. His ardour continued unabated, and he, occasionally, indulged his genius in poetry; but of his productions at this time, none ever came before the public. He took particular delight in natural philosophy, chemistry and mineralogy, and at the expiration of two years, he was sent to Marburgh in Germany, with another student, Vinskradove, to the then famous philosopher and mathematician Christian Wolf.

Three years afterwards by the advice of this celebrated inan, he was sent to the mines of Saxony, to study mineralogy under M. Henkel, an able and practical metallist. At the end of one year he returned to the university of Marburgh to attain the theory of that science. He did not fail of acquiring the German language, in which, while yet at Petersburgh, he was initiated. From his conversation with the German students, and from the style of their songs, he became passionately fond of German poetry. He learned by heart almost the whole works of many of the most celebrated poets; but Hinter was his favorite. He endeavoured to adapt Russian versification to German measure, and, by introducing their tambs, chorusses, and dactlys, he iniparted to his native poetry, a harmony, ease and smoothness, altogether new, and, till then, unknown. The first essay of this kind, appeared in his ode composed on the memorable victory of the Russians cver the Turks and Tartars at Chotzin; sent from Marburgh to the president of the academy at St. Petersburgh, Mr. Corf. It

was written in the style of Hinter, in imitation of his best odes, and, when submitted to the inspection of some of the academicians, the novelty of its construction forcibly struck them, and excited their pleasure as well as applause.

The president, Corf, had it printed, and presented to the Empress Ann, on her anniversary day; it was circulated among all the courtiers, and was read by every one with delight and admiration.

About this time, in the year 1790, Lomonossove married privately, at Marburgh, a daughter of his host, a taylor by trade, who, previously to his departure from that city for the Saxon mines, had made him a father.

During his residence at Marburgh, small as was his salary, he maintained his family tolerably well, till from the unavoidable increase of expense, he was reduced to the bitterest poverty, contracted debts, and was daily threatened with imprisonment. He, therefore, found it necessary to abscond. From a part of one quarter's salary, which went to defray his secret expenses, for his wife and family, he had not one penny left; he resolved, therefore, to beg is way to Lubec, or Holland, in order to find a passage from thence to St. Petersburgh.

Unknown to every one, even to his wife, he set off one evening direct for Holland, travelled all night, and on the third day, having passed Disselfold, he put up at the public house of a small village, where he met with a Prussian officer and soldiers on a recruiting party. Here a strange event befell him. The officer, thinking to have found a proper fish for his bait, politely invited Lomonossove, to sit by his side, take a supper with his comrades, and drink a bumper round. At the table many praises were bestowed on the Prussian service; and our traveller was so liberally treated, that he scarcely knew what was passing. When somewhat come to himself, he found his coat decorated with a red collar, and his pockets furnished with several pieces of Prussian coin. The officer congratulated him on his entering the service, and foretold to a certainty the making of his fortune; while the rest of the soldiers emphatically saluted him as a brother.

Resistance was useless. The corporal's stick compleated the argument, and Lomonossove was suddenly transformed into a Prussian soldier. Two days after, he was conducted to the fortress of Wesel, with other re cruits from the neighbourhood, firmly deter mined to seize the first opportunity of escaping, at all hazards, from his uncomfortable situation. He perceived he was particularly watched; he, therefore, strove to appear cheerful, and gratified with a soldier's life. Fortunately, he was stationed out of town;

and slept in a watch-house, close to a wall, sloping towards one of the back windows. Lomonossove, having taken an accurate survey of the whole position, and other conveniences necessary to facilitate his escape, attempted it boldly, and executed it successfully.

He made a practice of going to bed earlier than any of his comrades; consequently he arose always before the rest. At midnight, when all were asleep, he silently got up, passed through the window with all possible precaution, and, to avoid being noticed by the centinels, crept on all fours, up the wall; swam across the principal ditch, and that on the outside of the fortifications; passed with great difficulty the counterscarp, the pallisade, and other dangerous places; and at length found himself in an open field.

To get beyond the Prussian territory, was the first and the most important object. He ran, with all his might, to the distance of a German mile; while his clothes were dripping wet, and the morning already began to dawn. Presently he heard the report of a cannon, the usual signal to pursue a deserter; fear redoubled his exertions. He continued to run with increased rapidity, and looking frequently behind, observed a horseman, galloping after him, with full speed; but at this time he was already on the territories of Westphalia. For greater security he struck into a forest; stopped to dry his clothes, and slept till noon; when, having recruited his strength he proceeded on his journey through Arnheim and Utrecht, and under the fictitious name of a poor Saxon student, he arrived in safety at Amsterdam.

In this place a Russian chargé d'affaires, Mr. Oldelkop, received him favourably, and sent him by water to the Russian Embassador at the Hague, Count Holowkin, who supplied his necessities, furnished him with money, and sent him back to Amsterdam, where he soon found an opportunity to go by sea to St. Petersburgh.

Previous to his departure from the Hague, he wrote to his wife, acquainting her with all that had befallen him since he left her, and entreating her not to write to him till she should hear again from him. On his arrival at St. Petersburgh, he was promoted to the rank of adjutant, and for a whole year, forbore from writing to his wife; as the circumstances of his new situation did not permit him to avow his marriage; besides, his small salary was not sufficient to maintain himself and family at St. Petersburgh, where every thing was extremely dear.

While on his way to St. Petersburgh, he dreamed that his father was shipwrecked, and cast on an uninhabited island, in the frozen ocean, to which, in his youth, he had been with his father, often driven by storms. This

dream made a deep impression on his mind. On his arrival, his first care was to inquire among the traders of Cholmohor and Archangel concerning his father. He, at length, met his own brother, who informed him that their father had the same year gone as usual to sea, as soon as the ice was off, but had not been heard of since; that he had been missing four months, and none of the party which went with him, had as vet returned. His dream recurred to him with redoubled force, and filled his mind with melancholy apprehensions. He resolved to apply immediately for leave of absence, to visit the fatal island he had beheld in his dream, in search of his father, and to commit his honoured remains, if found, to the earth. Circumstances, however, prevented him from executing this plan; he was obliged to send in his stead, his brother, whom he furnished with money, and with a full description of the island, giving him instructions to apply in his name to the fishermen of Cholmohor, for assistance in conveying him thither.

The fishermen readily complied with his request, and, but too truly they discovered the body of Basil cast on the identical island. They buried it, and left a stone, as a memento, on the grave. Lomonossove, the following winter, was apprised of the event. Grief, which hitherto had preyed on him in secret, now breaking forth into open sorrow, exhausted itself by its own force, and, at length, gradually subsided.

His industry, and application to study, were resumed with increased ardour. He composed several dissertations on natural history and chemistry, in which were displayed the excellence of his genius and the profundity of his knowledge; these acquired him universal esteem, and facilitated his progress to the dignity of Professor of Chemistry.

In the meanwhile, his forsaken wife at Marburgh, waited for another letter from him two whole years; and during that time received no tidings of her husband. Under this anxiety and incertitude, she wrote in 1743 to the Russian ambassador, Count Holowkin, at the Hague, the same who had forwarded her husband's letter, entreating him to pity her distressed situation, and comfort her with the news of her husband, for whom she also enclosed a letter.

Count Holowkin knew only that Lomonossove two years ago had set off from Amsterdam to St. Petersburgh, and rightly judg ing that he must be in the latter city, he wil lingly undertook this commission. He sent Mrs. Lomonossove's letter to the chancellor, Count Bestujew, and particularly requested that nobleman to return him a speedy an

swer.

Count Bestujew, on receiving the letter, forwarded it immediately to Lomnonossove.

No one knew, as yet, that Lomonossove was married. On reading his wife's letter he shed tears, exclaiming, "Good God! Could I ever think of leaving her? impossible! Circumstances hitherto have prevented the from sending for her; and even from writing to her; but now she shall come without delay to-morrow I will send her money to defray the expenses of her journey." This was done, as he said; and his wife with her brother came, the same year, during the summer, to St. Petersburgh, where she found her husband safe, and in good health, overjoyed at seeing her.

At this time he lived in a house belonging to the Academy, near the Chymical Laboratory.

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Lomnossove died on Whitsun Monday, in the year 1705. Some days previously to his death, he addressed the counsellor of state, Mr. Stelin, to the following purport: My friend! I feel I must soon quit this world. On death I look with indifference; but I grieve that I have not finished what I have undertaken for the good of my country, for the glory of science, and the honour of the academy, I anticipate with sorrow, that my good intentions will be totally frustrated by my approaching end.".

After his death, all his papers were obfained from his widow, by Prince Orlow; they were, by the prince's order, collected and arranged by Mr. Kozitaky, and locked a private chamber of the house.

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Some years afterwards chancellor Count Worontzow, out of regard for genius, and the services of Lomonossove to his country, erected a pillar of marble, with a suitable epitaph over his tomb, at the convent of Alexander Newsky, at St. Petersburgh, both which, according to a drawing sent, were executed at Leghorn, at the expense of the government.

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From the life of Lomonossove, we should never infer his poetical fame; but it must be considered, that his genius for poetry was as spontaneous, as the knowledge he acquired was universal. As the latter extended, the former, far from being diverted by such suits, acquired fresh vigour; it cannot be denied, however, that his poetical works, though sufficient to insure him renown, would have been more numerous, and would have possessed more dignity, had his leisure been greater. They chiefly consist of fugitive pieces, such as versions of psalms, epitaphs, dialogues, and some partial translations from the ancients, with panegyric odes, on different occasions, which are the most celebrated of his works. A didactic epistle to General Shouwalow on the utility of glass, and two tragedies, "Selim and Tamira," founded on events connected with Russia and Tartary; and "Demofont," the son of Theseus king of Athens, may justly be entitled to excep

tion. To this must be added two cantos of

an epic poem; "Peter the Great," which his premature death, unfortunately, prevented him from finishing, to the eternal regret of Russia, as, from the specimen, it would have raised him to the level of Greece in poetical merit.

As an orator he claims distinguished eminence. His speeches on various subjects, particularly the two panegyrics, that on Peter the Great, and that on the Empress Elizabeth, in imitation of Pliny, exhibit such rich specimens of eloquence, as will remain for ages lasting monuments of his ability.

He has also the honour of being the first who reduced the Russian language to a re gular system. His grammar, rules of elocution or rhetoric systematically conceived and executed, remain to this moment the main standard by which all subsequent improvements have been made.

The chronology of Russian history, owes to him its order if not its existence; and that country will for ever be indebted to him for the progress of science. His elements of mineralogy, form a volume of considerable size, conveying, for the first time, scientific conceptions and explanations, through the medium of the Russian language. His speeches, or, more properly, lectures on chemistry, and various branches of natural philosophy, prove at once his indefatigable exertions, and the extent of his knowledge.

Such was the man who under the humble roof of a fisherman was secluded, till the seventeenth year of his age, in absolute obscurity; who shook off the fetters of ignorance by his own resolution, and who commenced his education at a period of life when education is generally finished by others. After this, can genius be supposed to be the offspring of climate?

The foregoing articles are instances of the attention which we mean to pay to Russian literature and we doubt not of being able in a short time to submit to our readers not only a more complete, but also a more recent statement of the labours of the Russian literati, than has yet appeared in England. Several articles of this nature intended for our present number, are postponed for want of room. We can only observe further, that

Demetrius the Impostor," a Russian tragedy, by Soumarokove, is lately published in English by a Russian gentleman of the embassy. We understand that he has had no literary assistance in the translation; so that this pamphlet is remarkable, not only as a novelty introducing to our acquaintance a performance of one of the most eminent writers for the Russian stage, but as an instance of our language being written by a foreigner, in a style so easy, that it might very well pass the production of a native,

SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE

OF FORT WILLIAM IN BENGAL. The report of the Committee of Directors of the East India Company, already given, has stated with great perspicuity those reasons which render desirable a proper course of instruction for youth destined to fill responsible offices in the state; and a proper institution wherein that instruction may be obtained. We have, therefore, no occasion to enlarge on the policy of such establishments. That the principle should first be matured, and after due consideration should be called into exercise in India, is no matter of surprise; since the necessity of the case would be more striking in that country, and since the means of meeting that necessity would be more apparent, and might probably be thought more

efficient.

The College of Fort William, dates from Aug. 18, 1800. When his Excellency the Marquis Wellesley entered on the Minutes of the Council at that Presidency, his reasons for the establishment of a College, at the seat of the supreme government, under the eye of the Governor General, and where attention from those in power, or honour, or reward, or promotion might follow merit, according to its degree, this institution was regarded with a jealous eye by many, who not having received the advantages derived from learning, affected to think little of their importance. It consequently met with a series of difficulties, and even something like a regular opposition was maintained on the subject. The finances of the Company were thought unequal to the expense, the magnificence of the buildings (not yet begun) were inveighed against, and even the patronage of the College became an object of jealousy.

Happily, however, the judicious reasonings on which it was founded, after ample discussion and deliberate investigation, produced that conviction of its utility, which has effected its permanent establishinent. And thus it. has not only been the occasion of extensive services to literature, to morals, and to the public interest in India, but has also contributed to facilitate the adoption of a similar institution in England.

The officers and professors of the college are much the same as those which are appointed at Hertford College. The terms are four in each year. The public examinations are two; these include declamations and various exercises in the languages of the country, with others adapted to be useful in India. Nor is English composition neglected; but, together with the study of Oriental dialects, a proper attention is paid to the language of the mother country, to the sciences, arts, and improvements of Europe. Apartments, and a public table, are established at the expense

of the college. The college confers degrees of honour.

The first disputations in the Oriental lan guages were held Feb. 6, 1802, on which oecasion Sir George Barlow presided as acting Visitor, the Marquis Wellesley being absent from Calcutta. The disputations were conducted in the Persian language, in the Ben gallee, in the Hindoostance, and in Arabic, Specimens of facility and elegance in writing were also produced, in the Persian, Nagree, and Bengallee. Honorary rewards of medals, and pecuniary encouragements of 500 rupees, or 1000, or 1500, were also bestowed. The Visitor closed the meeting with a speech.

A second disputation was held March 29, 1803. At this solemnity the Marquis Wel lesley presided, accompanied by the Chief Justice, the Supreme Council, the Counci of the College, and other eminent characters, The disputations were in the three languages as before, Persian, Hindoostanee, and Bengallee: at the conclusion of the disputations, an appropriate speech was made in the lan guage of the disputation, by the respective moderators. There were also declamations, and exercises in Arabic. The Visitor, Mar quis Wellesley, closed the whole with speech,

The third disputation was held September 20, 1804. Visitor, Marquis Wellesley. To the other languages was added a declamation in the Shanserit: and after this declamation, a complimentary speech in the same language, by the Rev. Mr. Carey, the professor.

The advantages derived from this instit tion have not been restricted to the qualifying a considerable number of young men for the civil and political stations to which they were appointed, though this alone is an obe ject of inestimable value in the judgment of the moralist as well as of the politician. The reports of the state of the college announce improvement in morals as well as in litera

ture.

"He must be an intire stranger to what is passing in Bengal, who does not perceive that the College of Fort William is sensibly promoting an amelioration of the European character, as well as the civilization of India."

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Knowing as I do," says Mr. Carey, "the natives of this country, and hearing as I do, their daily observations on our govern,

ent, character, and principles, I am warranted to say (and I deem it my duty to em brace the public opportunity now afforded me of saying it) that the institution of this College was wanting to complete the happiness of the natives ander our dominion; for this institution will break down that barrier (our ignorance of their language) which has ever opposed the influence of our laws and principles, and has despoiled our administration of its energy and effect"

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