Library of Fiction; or, Family Story Teller, consisting of Tales, Essays, and Sketches of Character, Original and Selected. Our admiration of the two former numbers of this periodical must not prevent us from saying that this the third is not equal in general merit to their predecessors. Boz's" talk about the spring and the sweeps is very good talk certainly, but after all, it is talk, and nothing more. "Destiny does not deserve the fate that it has found in being published. However, the diary of a surgeon is decidedly good, and gives us the promise of something much better. Altogether we are pleased. The Floricultural Magazine, and Miscellany of Gardening. Conductor, ROBERT MARNOCK. This cheap and, if well prosecuted, useful periodical is chiefly filled by communications on important subjects by practical men. A sort of manual of experience. Should it excite the attention due to it, it will become a very popular undertaking. We wish that Mr. Marnock had styled himself the editor, and not the conductor, for the honour and the dignity of periodical literature. Omnibusses boast of their conductors, a sort of cad-mean personages that ought not to preside over magazines. Summary of Works that we have received, of which we have no space to make a lengthened notice. A Sketch of Medical Monopolies, with a Plan of Reform. By JAMES KENNEDY, M.R., C.Y.S.—An able and useful work, deserving of general attention. The Principles of Physiology applied to the Preservation of Health, and to the Improvement of Physical and Mental Education. A fourth edition, this, of Dr. Combe's admirable work. We noticed the first with the high commendations that it deserved. Observations on the Advantages of Emigration to New South Wales, &c. -This pamphlet is addressed principally to the labouring classes, and to them will prove of great utility. A Concise System of Mathematics in Theory and Practice. By ALEXAnder Ingram, revised by JAMES TROTTER.-This is a third edition, and admirably adapted to the use of schools and students in general. An Introduction to the Criminal Law of England, in a Series of Familiar Conversations.—A good little work, and should be universally read by all who have not a deep insight of our penal laws-a very large portion of the community. Noureddin; or, the Talisman of Futurity. An Eastern Tale. By CATHERINE 1. FINCH.-A pretty enough ephemeral fiction. The authoress has not very clearly worked out her moral, though she has been unscrupulous enough in drawing upon our credulity for her materials. When we make use of the impossible, it should be with the greatest skill possible, or we sink into the improbable and the absurd. Geology.-Remarks on Bishop Sumner's " Appendix" to his work, entitled, "The Records of the Creation." By the Rev. R. FENNELL.-A well meant, but most injudicious pamphlet. Why does the reverend gentleman so loudly and mischievously cry, "Wolf?" If the extract of the manuscript poem be a sample of the whole, we would, in the spirit of friendship, advise the author to let it be a manuscript always. Darnley; an Historical Drama. In Three Acts. By HAMILTON GEALE, Esq.-If Mr. Geale be content with this drama, so are we. The world will, we fear, remain in ignorance of the cause of this our mutual happy feeling. Hints upon Tints, as produced by the Lead Pencil.-A catchpenny. A Guide to St. Petersburgh and Moscow, &c. &c. By FRANCIS COGHLAN. -A very good and instructive little work, though rather an expensive one. The Tribunal of Manners: a Satyricon -Very clever, very caustic, and very coarse. A Pleasant Peregrination through the Prettiest Parts of Pennsylvania, performed by Preregrine ProLIX.—This author minds his P's more than he attends to his cue. The work is a pleasant one, however. Histoire de France du Petit Louis. Par Madame CALLCOTT.-A little book containing much pleasant reading for little folks. The Garland; or Chichester, West Sussex, and East Hampshire Repository. Edited by L. SIMMONDS.-A new periodical, of the smallest size, to which we wish great success. Proposals for an Intellectual Franchise; or, the Rights of Intellectuality to Represent in the House, and Representation out of the House of Commons, in Contradistinction to, and Exclusive of, the Rights of Franchise and Representation, as conferred by the Present System of Property Qualification, &c. &c. By W. JOYSE.-Pretty plain speaking out this:-a hundred years hence, and then. Prideaux's Genders of French Nouns.-To the French student this work will be very valuable, as an assistant to his obtaining a perfect knowledge of this, nearly the most difficult department of his task. LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. Booth's Analytical Dictionary of the English language, corrected edition, with appendix. 4to. 45s. Edward's Hecuba of Euripides, Porson's Text, with English prose translations and notes. 8vo. 8s. Rider's Principles of Perspective, illustrated with twenty-seven lithographic figures. 8vo. 7s. 6d. Etheridge's Apostolic Ministry. 12mo. 3s. Entick's Tyronis Thesaurus. New edition, square. 5s. 6d. Lothian's Bible Atlas. Third edition. 24mo. 3s. 6d. Lothian's County Atlas of Scotland. New edition. 4to. 31s. 6d. The Rhenish Album, or Scraps from the Rhine. 12mo. 12s. 6d. Supplement to Evan's Statutes, by T. C. Granger. 2 vols. 8vo. 21. 2s. Parkin on the Treatment of Epidemic Cholera. 8vo. 5s. Magazine of Domestic Economy, Vol. I. 6s. 6d. British Cyclopædia, (Geography and History.) 3 vols. 8vo. 45s. The Florist's Magazine, Vol. I. Small paper, 32s.; large paper, 52s. 6d. Kirk White's Poetical Works. 32mo. 2s. Dodsley's Annual Register. Vol. LXXVII. 16s. Mornings with Mama. Fourth series. 18mo. 4s. 6d. Silvertop's Geology of Granada and Murcia. 8vo. 10s. 6d. 2 vols. 12s. Proctor's (Rev. W.) Sermons. 12mo. 7s. Thompson's (Mrs.) Commentary on the New Testament. 2 vols. 8vo. 21s. Kenrick's Introduction to Greek Prose Composition. Part I. 12mo. 4s. 6d. Wood's (Miss) Meetings for Amusing Knowledge. 12mo. Plates, plain, 5s. 6d.; coloured, 6s. 6d. Walker's Beauty in Woman. Illustrated by Howard. Royal 8vo. 31s. 6d. An Inquiry into the Pathology, Causes, and Treatment of Puerperal Fever. By Parkis on the Antidotal Treatment of Epidemic Cholera. 8vo. 5s. Reminiscences in Prose and Verse; with the Epistolary Correspondence of many Distinguished Characters, and Notes and Illustrations. By the Rev. R. Polwhele. 3 vols. fcp. 8vo. Syria, the Holy Land, Asia Minor, &c., illustrated. Part III. Derby, Chester, Nottingham, &c., illustrated. Part IV. LITERARY NEWS.-WORKS IN PROGRESS. Prince Lucien Bonaparte's Memoirs are now in the Press in London and Paris, and as the entire manuscript is completed, and in the hands of Messrs. Saunders and Otley, whom the Prince has appointed his Publishers in England, France, and America, no delay in the progress of the work will take place, beyond that which will be required for preparing the several editions. Mr. Chorley's Memorials of Mrs. Hemans are in considerable forwardness. We understand the work will be a very delightful one, containing a large collection of her Private Letters, and a beautiful Portrait and View of her house, and surrounding scenery. The new Dramatic Work which Mr. Bulwer has in the press, will contain Cromwell, a Tragedy, and the Duchess de la Vallière, a Play, in Five Acts. Sir Grenville Temple's new work on Greece and Turkey, is nearly completed, and will be embellished with some beautiful Engravings from his very valuable collection of Drawings. The Floral Telegraph, with Illustrative Engravings, explanatory of this new and elegant system of communication by Flowers, is nearly completed. A Second and Improved Edition of that very clever and interesting work, Adventures in Search of a Horse, with some admirable Sketches, by Cruikshank, is announced for immediate publication. Anthologie Française; or, Selections from the most eminent Poets of France. Second Edition, considerably improved, with many Additional Notes. By C. Thurgar, Norwich. The name of the Editor of the Monthly Repository, having always been avowed, from the time it ceased to be a sectarian magazine, the proprietors think it due to their subscribers, as well as to their contributors, (among whom so many of the first writers of the time are included,) to state that the active management will in future devolve upon R. H. Horne, Author of the "Exposition of the False Medium," &c. "Spirit of Peers and People," &c. Under this new arrangement, W. Fox retains his interest in the work, which will be conducted on the same principles, and directed to the same objects as heretofore. General Statistics of the British Empire. By James M'Queen, Esq. FINE ARTS. Burford's Panorama of Isola Bella, the Lake of Maggiore, &c. Leicester Square. We may safely say, notwithstanding some minor errors inseparable from a work so large, that this picture is the triumph of panoramic painting. Hitherto, works of this description have been faithful, very faithful representations of nature, in her every day dress, but the view of Isola Bella combines with fidelity some of the highest attributes of pictorial poetry. We are sure that none who have any the least pretensions to taste, will omit taking an early opportunity of visiting this splendid display of the scenic art. Stanfield's Coast Scenery. A Series of Views in the British Channel, and on the Coasts of England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, and other Picturesque Portions of the European Continent, from Original Drawings taken expressly for this Work, by CLARKSON STANFIELD, Esq. R. A. Dedicated, by Permission, to the King. As yet, we have only received the numbers of this beautiful work up to the twelfth, which contains first, a view of the Eddystone Lighthouse, with the sea surrounding it, agitated by a brisk gale, and a vessel urged helplessly on, in a rather dangerous situation. It forms, notwithstanding the smallness of the scale on which it is executed, a grand picture. Land's End, Cornwall, the second plate, is a very interesting plate. It is merely a jagged rock, but there is a vast expanse of sky and water beyond it. One likes to see how one's country terminates. Worthbarrow Bay, Dorsetshire, is a view peculiarly English and bold, and done in Stanfield's best manner. There is a wreck upon the coast, as usual. The Grêves, from the summit of Mount St. Michael, is a vast extent of shifting sands, which in their barren uniformity, contrast finely with the rich gothic architectural display of the top of the cathedral. This spirited and highly talented work should be possessed by every one who is proud of the fine arts of his country. Switzerland, by WILLIAM BEATTIE, M.D., Graduate of the University of Edinburgh, Member of the Royal College of Physicians of London, &c. &c. Illustrated in a series of Views, taken expressly for this Work, by W. H. BARTLETT, ESQ. We understand that this admirable work has at length been brought to a conclusion, though we have received only up to the twenty-fourth Part, containing views of the Hofbrücke, Lucerne, from the Pont de la Cour, of Lake Leman from opposite Lord Byron's Villa at Coligny, of the statue of Arnold Von Winkelreid, at Stanz, and, lastly, of the Gorge of the Tamina, Baths of Pfeffers, this last plate inscribed to Dr. James Johnson. All these views are good, the last, especially, has in it something of the sublime. The letter-press seems to improve upon us, good as it bas always been, as it is about to take its leave. We suppose that we shall receive the final numbers, and then we shall also have something to say at our leave's taking. Ryall's Portraits of Eminent Conservative Statesmen. We do not know with whom the idea of this publication originated, but it is an excellent one, and so far it has been very excellently put in execution. It is signi ficant of the times, but of a very cheering significancy. It is right that all loyal subjects should be thus made familiar with the persons and looks of the heroic guardians of those institutions that, if allowed to exist uninjured, will perpetuate to them every blessing that is consistent with social security and rational liberty. The first portrait, as by right, is that of his Grace the Duke of Wellington. It is engraved by Mr. Ryall, after a powerful likeness by Sir Thomas Lawrence. Altogether it is a masterly performance, and will place the engraver in the highest rank of his list. The next portrait, that of the Right Honourable Lord Lyndhurst, from Chalon, is more happy in the refined and acute expression of his lordship's physi ognomy, than in a fac simile of his features. It is a portraiture of his mind. The engraving of this is also exquisite. The portrait of Lord Wharncliffe is that of a gentleman of deep thinking, and is a good likeness. The work is altogether an excellent specimen of the fine arts. The letter-press that accompanies the engravings is of a clear and concise character, giving only the principal outlines of the careers of the noblemen, and must be looked upon more in the light of clever notices, than in that of biographies. We wish heartily, and we do not think that we wish vainly, that every remuneration, both as to profit and fame, may accrue to the originators of this work, and that such may be the case, our hearty recommendations, both public and private, shall not be wanting. We have received from M. A. Schloss, two proofs of lithographs, one elucidating Goethe's admirable Dream of the Bottle, the other, the Vanitas! vanitatum Vanitas! by the same incomparable author. When we state that the artist, Mr. Schroedter has caught the inspiration of Goëthe, we think that our praise cannot go beyond this assertion. The engraving is fantastic, grotesque, and replete with the wildest spirit. Nor has Mr. Henretether done less justice to the song, as far as the subject permitted him, it being necessarily of a tamer character than that of the Bottle Dream. Those who can purchase these truly intellectual treats, and do not, understand the art of mental enjoyment but very imperfectly. THE DRAMA. COVENT GARDEN.-The last month will be an era in dramatic affairs; the suc cessful production of a play, founded upon principles hitherto considered undramatic in England, is the landmark by which it will be recognised. Ion, a tragedy, by Mr. Serjeant Talfourd, induced many of the aged amongst us again to revisit the scene of early association, and excited more strongly than ever the theatrical enthusiasm of the young. Although the Greek drama is the model after which Ion is drawn, and the idea of the hero taken from Euripides, yet the author is indebted to his own imagination for the plot, and the developement of character. The Ion of Euripides is an exposed infant, carried to the Temple of Delphos, educated there till a state of manhood, constantly employed in the service of the god, and sequestered from the business of the world. His religious education had impressed his mind with the deepest sense of virtue, and his retired life had thrown around him the most amiable and modest simplicity; such, also, is the being portrayed by Mr. Talfourd, ever acting from pure and upright motives; courage, wisdom, feelings the most acute, and determination unalterable, are the necessary attributes of such a creation, over whom the unassailable web of destiny is cast. In the Greek tragedy, is generally represented the struggle of man with destiny, in a state of freedom, without moral or religious restraint; in it is contrasted inward liberty with external necessity; in this play is drawn the voluntary fulfilment of fate. The absence of the classical drama in England has hitherto not been felt, or if recognised, the want has not been regretted; this has been principally owing to an apprehension, lest we should fall into the error of the French tragedy. The brilliancy, politeness, and refinement of the Parisian court, pervades every Greek hero, mother, or daughter of the old French theatre. They are Greek but in name; their sentiments, conversation, actions, or position, belong not to the severe simplicity of antiquity; they are French, altogether French: even nature has no participation with their sayings and doings; art is made to correct and supersede nature: in that atmosphere alone does the former achieve a victory over the latter. The result of this is, that the French have deformed their delineations of passion and character with almost the same success as they did the human form; their gallantry, miscalled love and ostentation, nick-named heroism, make us laugh, and shrug up our shoulders, equally as did the full-bottomed wig and hooped petticoat of the days of the grand monarque; and then the intrusion of the stupid confident, ever exclaiming, "Juste ciel," "Grand Dieu." This incongruity of our neighbours has also been charged by a foreign critic against Addison's Cato, and perhaps with justice : the hero of this Roman tragedy, it is asserted, exhibits the character of our July 1836.-VOL. XVI.—NO. LXIII. M |