Friendship's Offering and Winter's WE must pass over Mr. Tucker, who is of the Intense school, which we do not admire, to approach Barry Cornwall, whose lines we must extract. They are worthy of Charles Lamb. A LONDON LIFE. (Without.) The winds are bitter, the skies are wild, From the roof comes plunging the drowning rain; Without-in tatters the World's poor child Sobbeth aloud her grief, her pain: No one heareth her, no one heedeth her, But Hunger, her friend, with his cold gaunt hand Grasps her throat-whispering huskily, What dost thou in a Christian land?" (Within.) The skies are wild, and the blast is cold, Yet Riches and Luxury brawl within; Slaves are waiting in crimson and goldWaiting the nod of a child of Sin. The fire is crackling, wine is bubbling Up in each glass to its beaded brim ; The jesters are laughing, the parasites quaffing [him. "Happiness," "honour," and all for (Without.) She who is slain 'neath the winter weather, She's gone-poor life and its fever's Oh! let her in calm oblivion lie, [o'er, While the World runs merry as heretofore. Mothers all proffer their stainless daughters, Men of high honour salute him "friend!" Skies, oh! where are your cleansing waters! World, oh where do thy wonders end? Thomas Miller writes very fairly. J. C. S. the author of some lines on Love-is an ASS! Mr. Harrison's "Who's there?" is clever and amusing. We should say there was a preponderance of prose tales in this volume, but that we know how rare an article even tolerable poetry is! However, they are in general very pleasing ;some are very good ;-and the unambitious little volume does credit to the Editor's taste. Oh! Smith and Elder, steer a middle way, Aim not to be too fine, too grand, too gay; Keep Barry Cornwall always in your pay: And then you'll be-the general Protegé. Jennings's Landscape Annual, or Tour ist in Portugal, for 1839. THE narrative of this volume is written by Mr. W. H. Harrison, the author of the Tales of a Physician; and it is illustrated from paintings by Mr. James Holland. The author mentions that he has derived much curious information from a MS. journal of the late Mr. J. C. Murphy's, which he obtained through Mr. Crofton Croker. This is not a work from which any extracts could be made with advantage; but we are bound to say, that the views are most judiciously selected, the plates beautifully engraved, and the narrative written with clearness and elegance, while some interesting anecdotes and stories are interwoven in it, which were connected with the localities described. Heath's Picturesque Annual for 1839, Versailles. 8vo. WE think the subject of this volume to be very judiciously chosen; to which we may add, that it is as elegantly executed. The Narrative, which, under the History of Versailles, contains a light and pleasing sketch of the History of the Court of France, from the birth of Louis XIV. to the time of the present King, is the composition of some French writer, and has been translated with additions to it by Mr. Leitch Ritchie. The perusal of it has afforded us an evening of considerable amusement. There 3 N are twenty engravings, including views of Versailles from various points, with some portraits of the Grand Monarque's favourite mistresses. We think the one at p. 244, representing the Court of Louis XV. at play, as interesting as any. They are well engraved, and the whole volume is such as will not fail to attract and deserve the public approbation. It is, however, curious that neither the author nor the translator has gratified public curiosity with the amount of the enormous sum sunk on the palace; so large as to embarrass the finances of the country, terrify even the mind of the Grand Monarque, and make him thrust the documents into the fire. The amount might have been found in Voltaire and other writers of memoirs of the time. Caunter and Daniell's Oriental Annual. THE united talents of Mr. Caunter and the late Mr. Daniell have made a volume of no ordinary interest and beauty. Many of the beautiful and picturesque Indian sketches of the latter are engraved to illustrate the allusions of the text; while Mr. Caunter has woven into two pleasing and affecting tales much of the peculiar feelings and manners of the people he describes. The Hindoo legend, called the Royal Devotee, is a "Curse of Kehama" in prose; the Mohammedan story, the Omrah of Cauduhar, is written in a manner to satisfy the interest which it soon excites. The conception of both is judicious, and the style and language clear and elegant. A short but affecting tribute is paid in the preface to the memory of Mr. Daniell by his friend. But I must leave these Indian bowers, A Tract; a Bishop's Charge; a Sermon ; Six Years in Biscay, 1831-1837; with Narrative of the Sieges of Bilboa. By J. F. Bacon. 8vo.-We have been exceedingly interested, not only with the copious and authentic narrative which Mr. Bacon, an eye-witness of the siege of Bilboa, by the Carlist forces, has given of them; but more particularly with the Introduction which the author has prefixed to his work, and which gives us much important information regarding the state of parties in Spain, and the effect which the reforms (say revolutions) in civil and ecclesiastical affairs has had on the country. It is from such persons as Mr. Bacon, long resident in a country, and familiarly acquainted with its language, inhabitants, and social and municipal institutions, and in daily connexion with the opinions and feelings of the people, that any true and valuable information is alone to be obtained. The conflict of principles, of hereditary power against popular claims, has been going on SYLV. URBAN. in Spain, as in every other country of Europe, and it is now seen in the overthrow of the church, the first point of attack in all social changes, and in such civil disorder as will last, we fear, for a long time to come. We recommend the second section, p. 21, on the Papal Church in Spain, to the attention of our readers, as containing much valuable matter; and whenever hereafter the civil war now be ginning becomes a subject of history, the author's account of the siege of Bilboa will be referred to as the documents upon which the truth of the narrative is to rely. Dramatic and Prose Miscellanies of Andrew Becket. Edited by Dr. Beattie. 2 vols. 1838.-To those who have read and esteemed the work by which Mr. Becket is best known to the world of letturs-" Shakspeare's Himself again," the present volumes, containing a sketch of the author's Life and some Miscellane ous productions of his pen, will not be unwelcome. The first volume contain as comedy called Affectation," suggested by a part of Fletcher's "Scornful Lady;" a tragedy called "Lucinea," and some other poetical pieces. The second presents us with some Prose Dialogues between remarkable Persons, and a Trip to Holland. We hope the publication will meet such success as to be of service to the Author, who we find is nearly ninety years of age and blind; and will repay the friendly exertions of the editor. The Progress of Creation, considered with reference to the present condition of the Earth. By Mary Roberts.-The authoress has divided her volumes into six parts, accompanying the six days of the creation; and she has been instructed in the works of the best philosophers,-Herschel, Cuvier, and De Candolle,-in order to enable her to execute her work with advantage to her readers. The matter on the whole is well selected and arranged; the style plain and good, and the work well calculated for the instruction of young persons. It may be introduced with advantage into female schools. Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, with a Life of the Author. By J. Conder, and Designs by H. Melville. 8vo.-Although old Bunyan has got a smarter coat here on his back than he had in his life, yet we are pleased to see editions of this work in every variety of form and decoration, suited to the tastes of all classes; for with all it must ever be a book of great worth: and who is ashamed to be found in the company of Mr. Valiant-for-the-Truth, and old honest and watchful Mr. Porter, and Master Great-Heart, and such worthies? and who has not received inestimable benefit from their instructive and holy society? The present edition is most handsomely printed and embellished; a very good life by Mr. Conder is prefixed; and some elegant designs by Mr. Melville do all that can be done to realize the ideas of the writer. A sonnet is prefixed by B. Barton, too good to be passed by. Oh! for one bright though momentary glance, The Evidences of Divine Revelation. By D. Dewar, LL.D. 12mo.-The design of this work is to be a text-book to students in the University of Aberdeen, and to give a complete view of the evidences of the divine authority and truth of the Old and New Testament, in as narrow a compass as could embrace the variety of subjects discussed. This the author has performed, we think, with eminent success; and from a careful perusal of his volume, we can recommend it as one most judiciously arranged, and as complete as the size of the work would allow. The best writers have been consulted, the most judicious and approved arguments used,-and the author's own theological knowledge and learning has enabled him to advance his own lines of reasoning as well as to select and to adopt those of others. Ornithological Guide. By C. T. Wood, Esq. 1837.-A book of considerable merit, in which several interesting points in Ornithology are discussed: as, the adoption of a more correct and classical nomenclature, free from the defects and errors of the one that has been so long familiar to us. The author also gives a short, but very serviceable, review of the works of Ornithology that have appeared since the days of Willoughby; though he has accidentally omitted the one by Dr. Stanley, now Bishop of Norwich. Mr. Wood is well acquainted with his subject, and his work will be found most useful to the Ornithologist; both as pointing out with discrimination the value of the authorities on the subject, and affording original corrections of errors long established, and widely spread. Trifles for Leisure Hours; by M. A. Z. -The modesty of the title gives its value to the book. The Juvenile Poetical Library, selected from the Works of Modern British Poets. By Mrs. Alaric Watts.-With nine Engravings. 12mo.-We can safely recommend this little volume as a 44 gift-book" equal to the Annuals in external attractions, and far surpassing them in intrinsic value. Whilst poetry has run to so low an ebb in most of them, here are its living waters, of known and attested purity. It is recommended for the use of young persons from the age of twelve years upwards, and we will not pass without an approving word, the judicious recommendation of the Editor that poetry should be first made known to children by a tasteful instructor. "All children," it is justly remarked, "are sensible of the additional beauty conferred on a poem by proper emphasis, and readily adopt it when the key-note has been given by an experienced reader." This volume is a perennial whose leaves will be not less fresh in 1840 than in 1839. Romantic and Picturesque Germany, illustrated by Two Hundred and Sixty Engravings on Steel. Translated by Miss HENNINGSEN. 8vo. This is a work which has been already published, and already attained extensive popularity in Germany. We may notice as a remarkable feature of the present state of the arts, that the plates are engraved by English artists. The drawings are made by Germans; and the whole work is divided into ten (provincial) sections, each of which is described by a distinct (German) author. It forms a very pleasing and beautiful work, much resembling Dr. Beattie's Switzerland; and is in the course of being published in shilling numbers. The Altar Service, for the use of country congregations: short prayers, adapted for the Communion of the Sick; to which is added, a form of previous Visitation, and an Evening Liturgy. By the Rev. S. ISAACSON, A.M. Curate of Dorking. Select Prayers for all sorts and conditions of men; with devotional exercises for the friends of the sick, and calculated to assist young ministers in their official visitations. By the Same.-We can safely recommend these little manuals, as well for their orthodox composition, for they are formed from Scripture and the Liturgy of the Church of England, as from their very elegant, pleasing, and convenient form. The Book of Family Crests. In two vols. 12mo. (Washbourne.)-An artist named Hugh Clark, many years ago, employed himself in engraving plates for a manual of heraldry, that is to say (in the common acceptation of that term), armorial bearings. Of people's Crests he formed a separate series; and from that series, with many amplifications, the present work is formed. From Mr. Clark's works many a coat-less tradesman has emblazoned the panels of his carriage, and many a "crestless yeoman " (see Shakspeare's Henry VI.) has thence adorned his aspiring brow. To such parties, to those who are contented with taking any arms or crest that ever belonged to a person of their name, without right and without licence,-and to their abettors, the herald-painter, the seal-engraver, and the silversmith, these works cannot fail to be acceptable: but we are sorry to say that to those engaged in historical or antiquarian researches, they cannot be of much service. They may furnish a hint, but they cannot be depended upon as authorities. It would be unjust to the editor of the present edition to deny him the merit of much industry, and of having compressed a vast quantity of materials (such as they are) into his closely printed index of families; but what does he mean by referring to the plates, whether they contain an engraving of the actual crest described, or merely of one something like it? This cannot fail to mislead. We give instances, "Nairn, a lion rampant (supporting a wheat sheaf or) pl. 1, n. 10. and Nairne, Sco., a celestial sphere on a stand ppr. pl. 90, n. 16. Sco. the trunk of an oak tree, sprouting out leaves ppr. pl. 93, n. 26. Lord, Sco. a sphere, pl. 90, 66 an Now, from this it would naturally be supposed that all these five crests of Nairn were engraved; but in fact the plates show only one. Pl. 1, n. 10, is the crest of" Davis," a lion rampant without any wheat sheaf; pl. 90, n. 16, is the crest of "Peeris," a celestial sphere with the addition of two estoiles, or stars; pl. 93, n. 26, though the crest of" Cuningham," is the one which answers to the same description; pl. 90, n. 23, is the crest of "Boutein," an armillary sphere, without a stand, whereas Lord Nairne's crest is a sphere on a stand, as already described in the second example; lastly, pl. 90, n. 25, is the crest of Blount, armed foot in the sun," so that, instead of that luminary being “in splendour,” the plate in fact represents him as suffering an eclipse! These consecutive examples will be quite enough; but it is evident we could go through the work in the whole way. If the use of the plates be to inform those who do not understand heraldic descriptions, what could be contrived more calculated to mislead them? But such are the incoherencies, the enormities, and the defiance of all beauty, all taste, and all truth in modern heraldry, (and much of it that has been countenanced by the College itself,) that we should turn from the whole subject with disgust, did we not know that the ancient heraldry of England was at once the most simple of all Europe, and the most beautiful, and at one time maintained with the greatest legislative care, and that it is still the truest index, next to legal records, in historical and genealogical investigations. LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. NEW PUBLICATIONS. History and Biography. The Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell, illustrated in a series of Letters of Sir John Pell, &c. edited by ROBERT VAUGHAN, D.D. with an Introduction on the character of Cromwell and of his Times. 2 vols. 8vo. Lives of Eminent British Statesmen, vol. VI. Oliver Cromwell. By JOHN FORSTER, esq. (Cabinet Cyclopædia, vol. CVIII.) 68. Travels and Topography. Excursions in the Mountains of Ronda and Granada. By Capt. C. R. SCOTT. 2 vols. 8vo. 288. Shores of the Mediterranean, vol. II. By FRANK HALL STANDISH, esq. 8vo. The Only Daughter, a Domestic Story. Edited by the Author of the Subaltern. 3 vols. Tales of a Jewess. By Madame BRENDLAH. First Series. post 8vo. 78. 6d. The Mabinogion, from ancient Welsh manuscripts. By Lady CHARLOTTE GUEST. Part I. The Lady of the Fountain. 8vo. 88. Divinity. Treatises on Physiology and Phrenology. By P. M. ROGET, M.D. (from the Encycl. Britann.) 2 vols. post 8vo. 12s. Practical Observations on Curvatures of the Spine. By J. HARE, Surgeon. 8vo. 108. Changes produced in the Nervous System by Civilization. By ROBERT VERITY, M.D. On Consumption and Scrofula. By J. FURNIVAL, M.D. 8vo. 68. 6d. Practical and Surgical Anatomy. By W. J. E. WILSON. 12mo. The Student's Compendium of Comparative Anatomy. By P. EVERS. 8vo. 6s. 6d. |