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CORRESPONDENCE.

A. B seconds the request of a former correspondent, that our contributors would give translations of their quotations from the learned languages. He says, "From my own observation I can assert that many of your warmest admirers are of womankind; and though the fair sex have at least the credit of possessing the gift of tongues, yet they are sometimes silenced by a little Greek or Latin. I am the more anxious that the request should be complied with, as my own observation may be that of others." He also gives the following version of the lines "On Kissing," by Macrobius, beginning "Dulcemque florem," &c. p. 619, vol. i. No. 6. Through lips-no more soft love's retreatHer spirit flew to realms above,

Her fainting soul then rush'd to meet

My last-sad-kiss of faithful love. We may expect, by-and-by, to have a volume translated from the quotations of the New Monthly, for the benefit of the fair sex, by some poet errant.

Obed. Odd, one of the irritable fraternity of bachelors, has addressed a letter to us, complaining that all females of the present day, high and low, rich and poor, are styled "Ladies." He views the appellation with an eye of suspicion, and expects soon to see a female parliament, of which the debates, from their volubility, defying the art of stenography, can never be laid before the public. He is much troubled that women now-a-days appear out of their stations; to keep them in which he is so great a stickler, that lest he should forget the object he is perpetually studying to accomplish, he never puts a halfpenny on the table without the head being laid uppermost, according to the precedency of the sex. He finally wishes to see a complete anatomical system of the female heart. Lest our gallantry should incur imputation, he must excuse our going further into the contents of his epistle.

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Mr. Editor, I perceive that a correspondent of yours, in an article entitled "German Popular and Traditional Literature," vol. ii. page 146, has accused Geoffrey Crayon of " having borrowed with merciless hand" his sketch of Rip Van Winkle from the German, and " transplanted it, without acknowledgment," into his work. It is a great pity that the writer did not look at the note appended to "Rip Van Winkle," in the Sketch Book, as the author there, though in a quaint manner, confesses that the tale was suggested to him "by a little German superstition about the Emperor der Rothbart and the Kypphaûser Mountain." I am sure it will give you pleasure to insert this, from one of your contributors.

Y.

NEW PUBLICATIONS,

ANTIQUITIES.

WITH CRITICAL REMARKS.

History and Antiquities of the Cathedral of Oxford. By John Britton. Medium 4to. 1. 4s. Super-royal folio, 41. 4s.

BIOGRAPHY.
Lives of eminent Scotsmen,
Parts 1, 2, and 3. London,
2s. 6d. each part.

Poets. 18mo.

We are informed by an article printed on the cover of this neat little work, that the plan of giving these memoirs to the public originated with a convivial association, known in the metropolis by the name of the " Ancient Scots," and composed of a select number of natives of Scotland. Each candidate for admission is required to furnish the society with a memoir of an eminent countryman, written by himself, which must be publicly read previous to his election. The society is asserted to be as ancient as the accession of James the Sixth (of Scotland) to the English throne; but that its records extend at present only to the year 1770. These accumulated memoirs, it was resolved, at a general meeting on St. Andrew's Day, 1820, should be printed in separate classes. suance of this resolution, the present memoirs of the Scottish poets have been commenced, and three parts have already appeared, beautifully printed, with small engravings of the principal characters in each. - No. 1. contains memoirs of James the First, Thomas the Rhymer, Barfour, Wyntoun, Douglas, Ramsay, Meston, Home, Beattie, and Burns.- No. II. James V. Dunbar, Inglis, Henry the Minstrel, Lindsay, Barclay, Montgomery, Stirling, Drummond, Thomson, Oswald. No. III. contains James VI. Maitland, Johnston, Hamilton of Banjour, Hamilton of Gilbertfield, Colvil, Ross, Armstrong, Ogilvie, Macpherson, and Salmon.

In pur

A collection like these lives was a desideratum in our national literature. Perhaps the present contains some names which might have been spared on the ground of the slender title they possess to take rank among the poets

racy of nobles, even forms a subject for the tragic muse suitable to her highest efforts. The poems of James IV., entitled the "King's Quair,” and "Christ's Kirk on the Green," are consi

dered his principal works. His style is very free from impurities, considering the age in which he wrote, and abounds with fine feeling. James the Fifth, in whose life there were also touches of the romantic, can hardly lay claim to the character of a poet. Two ballads only are ascribed to him, the "Gaberlunzie man" and the "Jolie Beggar ;" and that they are really his is very doubtful. The mean and pusillanimous

James the Sixth left nothing that can do honour to Scottish poetry. But it is more refreshing to turn to names with better titles to be honoured in the Republic of Letters. After Thomas the Rhymer, John Barfour, and others, we have an account of the author of the "Gentle Shepherd," which will be read with great pleasure. We could follow these memoirs one by one, and dwell upon the pames and works of some of them until we had perhaps exhausted the reader's patience and our own powers. Equally prized in both kingdoms, Beattie, Burns, Thomson, Home, and one or two besides, are familiar to all persons of good taste in England. They have delighted us from childhood to manhood, and their memory, as well as their works, impart a pleasure to the mind which is permanent in its impressions, because it is grounded in the love of true poetry, nature, and truth. We are persuaded that the public will appreciate this elegant little work at its due rate; for our own parts, we have been much delighted with the entertainment it has afforded us.

Memoirs of the Rev. J. Howell. By the Rev. Hugh Howell. 12mo. 3s. 6d.

The Life of David Haggart, written by himself while under sentence of death. 12mo. 4s.

BOTANY.

Elements of Botany, Physiological and Systematical. By T. B. Stroud,

of their country, but this is an error on the right Landscape Gardener, &c. Greenwich,

side. It is better for the reader to possess them than to find an omission of one name, whose title to the character of Scottish bard was indisputable. The memoir of James the First is highly interesting, and he appears to have outshone all the other royal Scottish claimants to the poetic character. His very history is poetical, and his long captivity at Windsor, which first directed his hand to the lyre, and inspired his strains with a love purer than monarchs in general feel, has a great deal of the romantic in its character. A captive falling in love with an object not unworthy of his passion, from the window where he had pined for eighteen years in durance, marrying the beloved object, mounting a throne, becoming the idol of his people, and being assassinated at last by a vile conspi.

1821. 10s.

This work may be safely recommended to the student in botany; and, indeed, it will be found a useful addition to the library of every botanist, as it comprises the system of Jussieu, as well as that of Linnæus. Where the author has differed in the classification, from Linnæus, he has generally done it with considerable judgment, and shewn good ground for his conclusions; but we cannot agree with him in placing the Citrus with the berries, the seeds being divided, like those of the apple, by partitions, though a little more delicate in texture.-We regret that many parts of the work are not elucidated by plates, which are almost essential in forwarding the labours of the young student in this elegant acquirement. If the author has

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An Account of a New Process in Painting. In two parts, 8vo. 8s.

The first part of this work consists of an enquiry into the principles and mode of practice by which the Venetian school of painting at. tained its freedom of design, and unrivalled excellence in colouring; the second, of a detail of experiments made by the author, in his attempt to revive the methods which led to such enviable results, and to which he was first induced to turn his attention by the accidental spilling of some wax on a crayon drawing, sketched on the back of a book bound in rough caif-leather. From the effect produced by this casual sort of glaze, it struck him that the superiority of the Venetian school was owing to the mixture of what he terms the fluid and the dry methods; in other words, the alternate use of oil or crayons on the same picture, accordingly as the different parts of it might call for a hard or soft, a cold or warm style. The experiments are very accurately detailed. They have occupied the attention of the author for seven years; and whilst we cannot but admire the zeal and disinterestedness which induce him thus to make public the whole fruits of his experience, for the advancement of the art of which he seems a devoted lover, we fully join him in the ardent wish, that the art of painting itself, so favourable to the refinement, so indicative of the prosperity of a nation, wherein it is cultivated with success, may be revived and flourish in our own, until the English school shall become all that the Venetian school once was.

VOL. III. NO. X.

Smirke's Illustrations of Shakspeare. No. 2. India paper, 4to. 11. 10s. royal 8vo. 14s.

A New Drawing-Book, in the Chalk manner. By Samuel Prout. Atlas 4to. 15s.

The Repository of Arts. No. 65. 4s.

HISTORY.

Boone's Essay on Modern History. 8vo. 2s. boards.

JURISPRUDENCE.

Williams' Abstract of the Acts passed in the 1st and 2nd of George IV. 8vo. 8s. boards.

MEDICINE, SURGERY, &c.

A Familiar Treatise on Disorders of the Stomach and Bowels, Bilious and Nervous Affections, with an attempt to correct many prevalent Errors in Diet, Exercise, &c. &c. By G. Shipman. Evo. 4s. 6d.

The prevalence of the disorders treated of in this work cannot fail to render it generally interesting. Disorders of the stomach and bowels are almost universal, often ill treated, and frequently increased by the very means adopted to mitigate them. Mr. Shipman goes into his subject scientifically, and commences by observations on the organs of digestion, their structure and functions. He next examines the properties of vegetable and animal substances, and combats the idle and ridiculous notion that a vegetable diet alone is sufficient for man. He shews that food must vary with the climate, and that the rice and water of the Hindoos would go but a little way towards sustaining life in temperate or northern climates. He points out, too, the effect of a vegetable diet on the constitution, which tends to enfeeble it in those climates where cold and variety of temperature prevail. It may, indeed, be possible for the physical temperament of a particular individual in society to be supported on a vegetable diet, and even to thrive under it. But to the majority of mankind in European climates it would be enfeebling and pernicious. Away, then, with those visionaries who support an opposite doctrine. The raven, and carnivorous birds in general, are as long or longer lived than granivorous ones. Much more depends upon the organic structure than on the diet of the animal: else why should the elephant outlive the horse four or five times told, both being sustained on vegetable food? Mr. Shipman successfully combats the arguments of Sir R. Phillips, the great apostle of vegetive sustenance. The knight's sixteen reasons he replies to very satisfactorily; but while Mr. Shipman contends that there would be a deficiency of vegetable food were all mankind to become granivorous, he asserts what may be considered very doubtful. The quantity of provender consumed by a single ox is much more than would support one human life. We fully agree with Mr. Shipman in his comments:-one more argument he might have added to them-the world is

3 x

an "universe of death,"-of destruction through each other, and of re-production, from the meanest insect to the largest animal-this is undeniably the great law of nature. Wherefore then is man to infringe on this law, when his organs are expressly formed for its fulfilment? There can be no necessity-it is left by Providence to his own option. Mr. Shipman next proceeds to notice the prevailing habits of life, and gives a number of cases to bear out his opinions. We recommend his work to all persons. Those who suffer from a diseased state of the digestive functions need it to improve them, and those who are in health will find it a guide to preserve them from the perils of disease.

Medicina Clerica, er Hints to the Clergy. 8vo. 4s. boards.

Smith's Principles of Forensic Medicine. 8vo. 14s. boards.

MISCELLANEOUS.

The Cottager's Monthly Visitor. Vol. I. part I. 3s.

To say of such a work as this, that it combines a due proportion of instruction and amusement, and abounds with excellent selections on the most important topics of religion and morality, free from all tone of party, is saying quite enough to shew it deserving of extensive circulation, which we heartily wish it may obtain; at the same time we must remark, in order to gain that end, that it ought to be printed in the cheapest possible form, which at present is not the case.

Essays on the Formation and Publication of Opinions, and on other Subjects. 8vo. 8s.

These essays are written with equal elegance of style and closeness of reasoning. At the same time that the author warmly advocates the unlimited promulgation and unrestrained discussion of every opinion which the human mind, in the endless variety of its perceptions, may entertain, he sets an admirable example, by the propriety and candour of his own arguments, in what manner those differences of opinion should be set forth and maintained. His work never could have appeared at a time of more interest respecting the question which it discusses than the present, when, as he justly observes, "whoever has attentively meditated on the progress of the human race cannot fail to discern that there is now a spirit of enquiry amongst men, which nothing can stop, or even materially controul." Although the Essay on the Formation of Opinions" is much the most valuable part of this volume, inasmuch as its subject is of the more immediate importance; the Essays on "Facts and Inferences," on the "Influence of Reason on the Feelings," and on the "Variety of Intellectual Pursuits," will be read with considerable pleasure, on account of the ingenuity of their reasoning, and the acuteness of their metaphysical distinctions.

Expedience; a Satire. By Julius. Book 1st.

This is a satire on the adherents of the late Queen; the design borrows no force from the execution, and the author himself appears to be more under the influence of expedience than of inspiration.

The Excursions of a Spirit, with a Survey of the Planetary World; a Vision. 5s.

This little volume seeks to inculcate the notion of an immediate renewal of active existence in a future state, the moment that we are released by death from our functions in this; the author conceiving that the vague notions too generally entertained of the passiveness of an intermediate state, or the unconscious sleep of the soul, for the lapse of ages, until one grand and final day of judgment, has a tendency to increase the indifference of men towards spiritual things, and to lessen the inducements to virtuous and religious conduct, which would operate with much more power on the human mind, were the period of receiving the reward of our good, or punishment of evil deeds, contemplated, as commencing immediately on our mortal dissolution. His intentions are excellent, and his arguments fraught with piety and good sense; but he is deficient in imagination, and makes as poor a figure when he attempts to soar into the regions of fancy, as did the gentleman of ancient fable, who endeavoured to cross the Egean sea with a pair of wings of his own making.

Advice to the Young Mother in the Management of herself and Infant. By a Member of the College of Surgeons.

Taxidermy; or a complete Treatise on the art of preparing, mounting, and preserving every object of Natural History for Museums. 12mo. 7s. 6d.

The Supplement to the Encyclopedia Britannica. Vol. V. part I. 11.5s.

Brewster's Encyclopedia. Vol. 15, part I. 4to. 11. İs.

Letters to Richard Heber, Esq. containing Critical Remarks on the Series of Novels beginning with " Waverley." 8vo. 7s. boards.

Willement's Regal Heraldry. 4to. 21. 2s. boards. Large paper, 4l. 4s.

boards.

Gell's (P. M. A.) Observatiors on the Idiom of the Hebrew Language. 8vo. 6s. 6d. boards.

Laing's Greek and English Lexicon to the New Testament. 8vo. 10s. 6d. boards.

Analysis of the Talents and Character of Napoleon Bonaparte. 8vo. 8s, boards.

NOVELS, ROMANCES, &c.

Lorin, or the Wanderer in Wales; a Tale. By J. Jones. 5s.

POETRY.

The Garden of Florence, and other Poems. By John Hamilton. London, 1821.

This little volume yields in thought, fancy, and feeling, to none of the minor productions of this age, so rich in poesy. Its author is peculiarly felicitous in the choice and composition of epithets, and in the art of encrusting his subjects with a glittering and variegated drapery of language. Some of his words are so applied as to hang about his pictures of loveliness like brilliants of the finest water, and adorn without encumbering the symmetry of his exquisite figures. He abounds especially in rich conceits, happy turns of expression, and romantic allusions. In his happiest passages of the bolder cast, the image resembles a noble crystal, which, while it is so liquidly transparent as to shew images truly through its softening medium, detains and delights the eye by its own quaint irregularities and dainty devices. Two of the chief stories thus treated are well worthy of such a hand; for they are among the intensest of those

"From great Boccacio's golden pen, Mirthful and mournful, fit for every heart." The first, "The Garden of Florence," is the sad and sweet tale of the youth who died of the poisoned sage of the poor girl suspected of his death-and of the fatal proof of her innocence and love. It is very tenderly and fanci fully told in heroic rhyme; but we prefer the poem which commemorates the more tragic incident of the disloyal friend murdered for his illicit love, whose heart is served up to his sad mistress by her vengeful husband. This is in blank verse of a noble music, and has a fine antique air about it, which we have rarely enjoyed in modern poetry. There is also a longer poem in the Spenserian stanza, entitled "The Romance of Youth," tracing out the first dawning of a poet's course, before the sad realities of existence press heavily upon him, and while his heart is unspotted by the world. It does not excite the kind of personal interest which we feel in Beattie's Minstrel, because it is more dream-like, thrown further back into the inmost bowers of romance, and overspread with a golden atmosphere more different from "the light of common-day." One cannot help anticipating higher things from such a youth, than could ever have been attained by the interesting Edwin, whose progress is far more distinctly marked out by the poet. Mr. Hamilton, in a prefatory dedication and in some shorter poems, gives his readers to understand that his profession is not that of a poet, and that he feels painfully the distraction of occupations of far other texture than his early dreams. Let him, however, be assured, that "Life's idle business" has not crushed his delicate fancy, or chilled his generous sympathies. We think we may predict, that his intervals of leisure will always be passed among the noble walks of poesy - in these we trust he will find his own reward-and bring from them from time to time rare fruits for the refreshment and the delight of his species!

Poctical Essays on the Character of Pope as a Poet and Naturalist; and on the Language and Objects most fit for Poetry. By Charles Lloyd.

Christina's Revenge; or the Fall of Monaldeschi; with other Poems. By J. M. Moffatt. London, 1821.

The principal poem in this volume is founded on the tragical execution, or rather assassination, of an ungrateful favourite of the celebrated Ex-queen of Sweden, when residing at the French court, by the command of his exasperated mistress. The story is extant in good French, from the pen of the ecclesiastic, who, by desire of the murderess, acted as confessor to her victim. There is a shocking minuteness in this narrative, which our author has followed perhaps a little too closely; but, on the whole, he has given a vivid picture of the catastrophe. The carelessness of some of his lines reminds us rather too much of what Lord Byron calls "the fatal facility of the octosyllabic verse;" but there is considerable force of writing in parts of his volume; and it is not without other indications of a capability for better things than it actually brings before us.

Woman in India, a Poem. Part I. Female Influence. By John Lawson, Missionary at Calcutta. London, 1821. We had great pleasure in recommending Mr. Lawson's "Orient Harping" to our readers, and feel still more gratification in introducing the present work to their notice. It is only the commencement of a poem intended to exhibit female character as it exists in India, and to appeal on its behalf to those who feel the incalculable influence it must exercise over the moral character of a people. This introductory book is chiefly occupied by tender and vivid recollections of the author's own infancy-of the scenes of that home which he has nobly abandoned for ever-and of the image of the mother, whose love first impressed the solemn and sublime images of Christian history upon his boyish heart. There is something unspeakably touching in these holy reminiscences, when they are expressed by one who has left all for the great cause of man and of God, who not in apathy has resigned his country and his kindred, but who, with a soul most delicately strung, alive to every impulse of social joy, and tremulous with love to old and dear objects, has made the costly sacrifice. Independent of this consideration, his feelings are embodied in free and pure language, and the pictures of early scenes are made to rise up again in a vividness which would engage the sympathy of all who can relish the tender freshness of Cowper. An apostrophe to his child, who died in infancy, is more painfully touching, yet not unrelieved by those gentle traits which divert a poet's grief, and those higher consolations which soften a Christian's sorrow. A description of the heroism of the martyred child of Antioch and his mother follows, the subjects of which, we own, do not please us so well, as we do not admire a Spartan spirit when excited by a mother, even

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