A Lady's Gift; or, Woman as She Ought To Be. By Jane Kinderley Stanford. Smith, Elder and Co.

"

There cannot be a question but that the education of women is to some extent defective, and that they might be made happier, whether as maids, wives, or widows, were the developement of their peculiar sensibilities and attributes more carefully attended to. Still, take them as a whole, they are charming creatures; and we are sometimes fearful of recommending alterative measures, lest we should spoil them. However, this book is an excellent one of its kind, written in a correct spirit, and by one who knows something of her sex,-not an universal qualification in woman.-" Mrs. Pierpont," she says, had no desire that her daughter should be a heroine or a prodigy her wish was, that she should be perfect as a woman, and her endeavour would be to give her such an education as should enable her to fill with honour the several situations of daughter, wife, and mother. These she considered to be the bounds prescribed to her sex, and which she could not pass without becoming in a certain degree unnatural, and losing the situation in the arrangement of things established by the Creator of the Universe, who has assigned to every part, even the most minute of his wondrous work, a peculiar station, from which it cannot swerve without injury to itself and to the whole." In this we fully agree with the Authoress, and we cordially recommend her book to the sex it is meant to benefit.

The Empress; a Novel. By G. Bennett. 2 vols.
Smith, Elder and Co.

It has been said by a very eminent critic, that the success which attended on the works of Scott arose from the dramatic form in which he clothed them. If it were so, and we have no reason to question the accuracy of the opinion, then the Empress ought to be eminently successful, for it is highly dramatic-nay, if we might venture a guess, it seems to us that the incidents were, in the first place, dramatised by the Author, and then beaten out into a Novel. Be that as it may, he has produced a work of enchaining interest-full of vivid description, impassioned writing, and forcible delineation of character. It may be a matter of regret that Mr. Bennett has applied himself to a subject so beset with difficulties, and so firmly walled in by historical prejudices. Agrippina, Claudius, Nero, the gentle Octavia, Britannicus, Lollia Paulina, and others, have an atmosphere around them, which even the force of Mr. Bennett's genius will have a difficulty in dispelling. He has, however, produced an excellent novel.

Encyclopædia Britannica. Parts LII. and LIII. Seventh Edition, with the Supplement incorporated. Black, Edinburgh.

It is sufficient to say for this magnificent work, that it forms a complete repertorium of every branch of human knowledge, and that every article which it contains may be considered standard authorities. No circulation can be too large for its merits; and its extraordinary cheapness ought to insure its universal diffusion.

Stanfield's Coast Scenery. A Series of Views in the British Channel,
and on the coasts of England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and
Germany, &c. By Clarkson Stanfield, Esq. R. A.
Smith, Elder and Co., London.

Part II.

The views in the present number of this beautiful work are-Dartmouth, Dartmouth Castle, St. Malo, and Britany, near Dol. The last is an exquisite subject, which has been finely and clearly handled by Cousens. St. Malo is strikingly characteristic; and Stanfield has put forth his strength in the little sea-piece of Dartmouth Castle. The entire number is, we think, an improvement on the first, if it be possible to improve it. The undertaking is sure of patronage, as it may be pronounced the most splendid of existing periodical issues.

A Manual of Entomology. Nos. V. and VI. Churton, London.

A work much wanted in England and there is no better text-book than that of Burmeister, which forms the basis of the present publication.

An Encyclopædia of Gardening. Part XX.-Arboretum Britannicum, or Hardy Trees of Britain. Part VII.-The Architectural Magazine. No. XVII.-Longmans, London.

Mr. Loudon's industry and activity have been exercised in a way that must secure him the gratitude of every man who has a taste for natural objects; and as this taste is nearly co-extensive with mankind, we trust-nay we are sure that every man who can read, and who has an opportunity for procuring his various series of works, will not fail to do so. Clear, practical, useful, and ornate, there is a degree of finish about all his productions, which is very rare in periodical issues. A man who wants a book on any subject which has occupied Mr. Loudon's attention, cannot be wrong if he finds one bearing his name.

Byrne's Practical Treatise on Spherical Trigonometry.
A. J.Valpy, London.

A very useful Treatise on a branch of Mathematics requiring facilities for learning, not hitherto afforded.

Observations on British Guiana. By John Hancock, M. D. With Remarks on its climate, soil, and productions; and on the Advantages of Emigration to, and Colonising the Interior of the Country. James Fraser, London.

Dr. Hancock has long resided in British Guiana, and, being an intelligent and observant man, we are glad to have his opinions on that country. Certainly his observations might have been somewhat more relevant, as he occasionally indulges in a discursive way, that has weakened in place of strengthening his work. The country he has made the subject of his remarks, is full of natural capabilities, of which little is known. We recommend his pamphlet to attention.

Thurlston Tales. By the Author of "Tales of an Arctic Voyager." 3 Vols. John Macrone, London.

It

There are advantages and disadvantages connected with the success of an author:-reputation is a kind of two-handed sword, which the public is quite as likely to turn against, as for a writer. The "Tales of an Arctic Voyager" must be fresh in the memory of the reader of works of fiction, combining, as they did, so many excellences of a varied and by no means common character. The opinion we formed from his former works of the talents and capabilities of their Author, is fully borne out by the present collection of Tales, the cause and connecting link of which is the hypochondriacism of the owner of Thurlston Hall. They have the same graphic delineation of character, the same vigorous painting of incidents, and the same easy flow of narrative that distinguished his former productions. is greatly to be regretted that he does not concentrate his remarkable powers upon one continuous story. In the dearth of superior works of fiction, we should hail a Romance from his pen as an event worthy of note. The story of "Julian Grey," in the first volume, is one of singular force, and, though a little crude in its details, it is remarkable for the knowledge it displays of the human heart. The madness of Marian Grey, her interview with Lord Layton, and her death, are most touchingly pourtrayed; whilst the fierce revenge of the mother, which gradually robs her of every softer feeling, and drives her into communion with the Evil One himself, are told in a manner at once new and striking. The witches, old and young, which assemble on the inauguration of Julian, have all the life given by Burns to the assembly in Alloway Kirk. The impressions produced on the mind of Julian are thus described :-" An instant now brought the three companions to a level with the ground, near the pathway that led to Jocelyn's Oak; and alighting, (after a comfortable ride through the air,) they hastened forward to a narrow break in the wood, that fronted this evil-omened tree. As they came close to it, Julian perceived that it was occupied by a crew of strange garish beings, whose figures and features, while they were mostly human, still were wild and malignant characters, that associated them with the ideas which the mind conceives of fiends and weird folks. Several of them seemed to be actually demons: for their persons, though partly like those of men, were deformed by the heads and extremities of beasts and birds of prey: but these were few and indistinct; and even while Julian gazed on them, they appeared to change from what they at first represented, and to assume other forms. Some of them gradually faded from her sight: others quickly vanished and re-appeared in other spots, while in the air above them flitted strange shadows, in the shape of winged reptiles, which were alternately visible and invisible at one period appearing substantial beings, at another scarcely seeming to exist, as dusky outlines traced by shades: or fading into nothingness, they were no longer to be discerned. Terrified at the thought of joining this ghastly company, Julian stopped short in her advance, straining her eyes to assure herself of the reality of what she witnessed: she felt her eyes begin to rise, and her flesh to creep, and her limbs shook beneath her. A whisper seemed to say, 'Julian, yet turn back it is not too late; but while she stood for an instant irresolute, the scene before her lost its diabolical and spectral character: she beheld only a large assemblage of men and women, chiefly aged and decrepid," &c. The entire feast is fearfully told, and Julian's gradual loss of her repugnance to join in the impure orgies of the assembly, her subsequent return home, and the illusive character shed over the whole picture, is equal to some of the very best portions of the German school of diablerie and supernaturalism.

The remainder of the Tales are of various degrees of merit, and there is considerable humour in the early part of the work. It deserves high praise: it is fresh, racy, and pungent; and if it does not add to the reputation already acquired by its Author, it by no means diminishes it.

History of England:-The Third Volume of the Continuation of Hume and Smollett, by the Rev. T. S. Hughes, B. D. Being the 16th Vol. of the History of England. A. J. Valpy, M.A., London.

This volume forms the 16th of Mr. Valpy's popular History of England, and is the third of Mr. Hughes's Continuation, in which he brings down his narrative to the year 1785.

Mr. Hughes's work is one of rare impartiality, and that too on many points where one might have very naturally supposed his own opinions would have swayed his judgment; and this gives a great value to his labours. To the present day, indeed, party has more or less obscured the character of the eminent statesmen who figured most prominently during the early part of the reign of George the Third. Fox, Burke, the two Pitts, Sheridan, Grenville, the Duke of Newcastle, and other men whose names are historic, have been made the victims of one-sided representation. Mr. Hughes calmly judges from their recorded speeches and actions, and it is impossible not to admire the candour which he brings to his important undertaking. He has thought for himself, and, in place of giving us stale repetitions picked up at second-hand, he has gone home for his materials, and aided by industry, perspicuity of style, and fullness of details, joined to a comprehensive and powerful grasp of mind, he has produced a history in every way worthy of himself, and of the time to which it relates,-certainly one of the most interesting of our social epochs, whether as regards individuals or events.

Mr. Hughes thus speaks of the efforts of Mr. Burke on the Reform questions which agitated the public mind in 1787 :

"Notwithstanding the destructive consequences of political fury, as exemplified by the scenes which occurred last year in the metropolis (the Gordon riots), the associations formed in various parts of the kingdom did not dissolve; but still endeavored to stimulate opposition by inflammatory resolutions, not only against fancied invasions of public rights, but against the license supposed to be now granted to military authority. The danger of these meetings was much increased by the new and unconstitutional measure of appointing delegates to transact their business in the capital, and to promote the object of their petitions. Mr. Burke received from many of these bodies complimentary addresses for his efforts in the cause of reform; and, in compliance with their requests, he again brought forward the rejected bills of last session, introducing his motion by reading the famous resolutions regarding the increased influence of the crown, the power of the house to correct abuses in the civil list, and the duty of the commons to afford the redress required by the petitions of the people: he considered these bills as a valuable legacy from the late parliament, and an atonement for its previous criminal servility they were the result of long and deliberate debate; and he trusted the new parliament would make it a point of duty to carry the wishes of the people into effect. He then described the fate of his former bills, and lamented the versatility of parliament, through which his labors had been lost to the country: he defended himself against all imputations on the revival of an unsuccessful proposition; and vindicated his plan, as no less useful to the king than salutary to the people. After again adverting in high terms of praise to the system adopted in France by Neckar, he implored the house not to treat his proposition with respect at the outset, and then put it to a lingering death; and he urged lord North, it he meant to deal the blow, to save the time of the house, and prevent much public anxiety and disappointment, by settling the matter at once, and becoming, for one day at least, a decisive minister. Four able speeches were expended by Mr. Burke on this measure, but in vain. Much of his illustration and reasoning was new; and his reply, on a subject seemingly exhausted, so brilliant, that the

commendations given to his industry, eloquence, and wit, even by the ministerial side of the house, were unprecedented: it became a common remark, that he was the only man in the country capable of forming and effecting an able and systematic plan of reform.

:

"In support of this measure, Mr. Pitt made his first speech in parliament. His rising on the occasion was almost accidental; for while lord Nugent was speaking against the bill, Mr. Byng, member for Middlesex, asked him, whether he intended to address the house he at first hesitated, but concluded with a determination to remain silent. However, at the conclusion of lord Nugent's speech, Mr. Byng called out his name: the call was echoed by the house; and Mr. Pitt, perceiving that he was expected to speak, rose up for that purpose. Immediately the whole house was fixed in mute attention; the genius of Chatham was recollected; and the most intense curiosity was excited, to ascertain how great a portion of it had descended on his son and never, perhaps, were expectations more completely answered, than when the youthful orator, standing up amidst a circle of the most skilful speakers and statesmen, delivered himself in favor of the bill, with such facility and animation, with a voice and language so harmonious and energetic, with so much of his father's fire, combined with closer reasoning and clearer arrangement, as to extort unqualified praise from both parties in the house."

The Poetical Works of Samuel Rogers, Esq. Illustrated by 128 Vignettes, from designs by Stothard and Turner. To be completed in 10 Monthly Parts. Parts I. to V. Edward Moxon, London.

Of all the illustrated works which have issued from the press, the one lying before us is by far the most beautiful. Its pages glitter with the finest creations of Turner, and with the delicate and graceful groups and figures of Stothard; and these engraved in the most finished style of art, by the Findens and other eminent gravers. The poetical merits of Rogers, it is not necessary for us to expatiate upon-they are fully acknowledged, and certainly never were any man's productions placed in a more splendid casket.

The Young Queen. 3 vols. Cochrane and Co., London. This is a most unroyal Tale of a royal wanderer. From what quarter the Author has drawn his notions of courts and princes, we of course know not, but most assuredly not from any actual experience. The " Young Queen is a deposed sovereign, quite a girl; and as a mode of escape from her enemies, she rambles for a considerable period with a young male companion, amidst woods and hills and forests, meeting with the usual adventures of solitary travellers. The consequence of this companionship is-love, between the parties; and it is in the developement of this passion, under these peculiar circumstances, which the Author has undertaken to delineate. Many of the details are of high interest; and, generally speaking, delicacy is strictly preserved. The subsequent loves of Montfort and Maria are still more curious in their developement: and we think their conduct as man and wife is quite as curious as during their solitary courtship. There are occasional dashes of nature in these volumes, some correct sentiment, and now and then bits of vivid descriptive narrative. The production is a singular one, and calls to mind the wanderings of the Duchess de Berri: and we think it far from improbable that the writer had her in his eye, whilst writing his story. He is rather too fond of thrusting his politics upon us; and as he is a decided Tory, his subject-matter has given him opportunity for discharging a portion of his bile against Radicals and levellers of every grade and shape.