dently needed for the correction of errors that have become common in the United States. In some of these cases, we have been rather puzzled, owing to a difficulty in imagining how such simple sounds, as birth, skies, nothing, firs, &c. &c., can be mispronounced. Nor can we at all times admit the correctness of the editor himself in his directions; for instance the word yes is directed to be pronounced yiss. So long, however, as American teachers will consent to borrow their books of instruction in any great degree from those put forth in England, the national language must continue essentially English; nor is there any ground for supposing that the commerce in intellectual goods, now so briskly and with so much advantage carried on between the two countries, will not continue and increase with the growing intelligence of the people on both sides of the Atlantic.

Classical English Poetry,' by Dr. Mavor, is a work which may be placed unhesitatingly in the hands of young persons. The contents, as its title imports, are entirely made up of poetical extracts, and the editor has said no more than the truth in asserting, that these will awake no passion except what the purest heart may feel, and fan no flame which youthful innocence need blush to own.' But the volume is entitled to more than this negative praise; it has positive merits of a valuable kind, in the general character and variety of its contents; there is a kindliness of feeling predominant throughout; and the claims of humanity are vindicated in its pages, in a manner not altogether in agreement with the more usual tendency of scholastic studies. The following short extract will sufficiently exemplify our meaning on this point.

THE DRUM.-By J. SCOTT.

I HATE the Drum's discording sound,
Parading round, and round, and round:
To thoughtless youth it pleasure yields,
And lures from cities and from fields,
To sell their liberty for charms
Of tawdry lace and glittering arms;
And, when ambition's voice commands,

To march, and fight, and fall, in foreign lands.

I hate that drum's discording sound,
Parading round, and round, and round:
To me it talks of ravaged plains,
And burning towns, and ruin'd swains,
And mangled limbs, and dying groans,
And widows' tears, and orphans' moans;
And all that misery's hand bestows
To fill the catalogue of human woes.

'Selections from the British Poets,' by John Bullar, is another well-compiled volume, differing from the last more in its arrangement than in the value of its contents. Specimens which are taken from the works of the same author are here, for the most part, placed together, and are preceded by short biographical notices, together with general criticisms upon the merits and peculiarities of style of the writers. This part of the plan might have been rendered more valuable, had concise criticisms been occasionally appended to particular pieces, a task for which the compiler appears to be fully qualified; but which, however well accomplished, would still prove at best but an insufficient substitute for the oral remarks of the preceptor.

There are two volumes of 'Specimens of the Poets of Great Britain,' by John Johnstone, the plan of which is very similar to that of the volume last noticed, but to which they are much inferior in execution. The selections are in many cases made without much taste or judgment, so that a very inadequate, and frequently also a very disparaging, idea is conveyed of the talents and peculiar style of the authors. But we have another and a more serious objection to make against one of the volumes-that of lyrical specimens, inasmuch as it contains examples of coarseness, and allusions so grossly impure, as to render its pages wholly unfit for the eye of persons at an age when the imagination is already sufficiently heated. Such allusions, it is true, are not numerous, but the volume would be objectionable if it contained only a solitary instance of the kind. It may be too much, perhaps, to expect that all evidences of coarseness should be expunged from the larger collections of poetry, where perhaps they are of some little use, as marking the growing refinement of society; but from volumes professedly prepared, as these are, 'for the hands of the young, with whom poetry is a passion, but whose tastes are still either false or unripe,' parents have a right to expect they shall be rigidly excluded: there can be no possible excuse for their insertion.

We have before us a volume of a different description: 'Selections from the Poems of William Wordsworth, Esq., chiefly for the use of schools and young persons.' This selection has been made by a gentleman, who informs us that he has been many years engaged in the tuition of youth, and has found the study of poetry of much importance in opening and strengthening the minds of his pupils, for awakening in them a sympathy for all truly desirable things, and producing clearer perceptions of moral and virtuous principles.' Having, in the course of his labours, perceived that the reading of

Mr. Wordsworth's poems was always received by his scholars with delight, this gentleman applied to the poet for permission to print and publish a selection from his works; and this permission, with a generous disregard of all pecuniary considerations, was immediately granted.

This is a delightful volume, suited to all ages and conditions, breathing throughout the very soul of poetry, and perhaps we would speak it reverently-better adapted for general perusal than the formidable quartos whence its pages are derived. It would be superfluous here to say one word upon the evidences of genius exhibited in Mr. Wordsworth's poetry, which is known and highly appreciated by all whose souls are alive to the beauties of nature, or whose hearts are capable of harbouring feelings of benevolence. It is needless to say that the works of this highly-gifted writer contain 'no word which dying he could wish to blot;' they breathe the feelings of purity and gentleness; and were a compilation of poetry such as we recommended made for use among the children of the poor, it would be sadly deficient if the stores, which Mr. Wordsworth has provided, were not made to contribute largely towards the collection.

THE JUVENILE CYCLOPÆDIA.

The Juvenile Cyclopædia.-Nos. I., II., and III. 12mo. W. Darton and Son.

Ir is a task of no small difficulty, in conducting the education of youth, to furnish a regular supply of good and rational occupation, which may afford amusement combined with instruction, and which may healthfully exercise the mind, without too far exciting the imagination.

The works now under notice fully deserve to be classed among books producing these effects: they are precisely of that description which judicious preceptors are well pleased to put into the hands of their pupils.

In these volumes, the editor informs us that it is the avowed purpose to consider more what may contribute to useful instruction than to mere amusement;' and he thus continues We have been more anxious to embody discoveries than to narrate adventures; the latter being frequently calculated to contribute to a love of romantic entertainment rather than to imbue the mind with solid and valuable knowledge.'-Preface to first Number, p. 9.

The foregoing passage made us apprehend that the work

might not be found by the juvenile reader sufficiently attractive, but our apprehensions have been removed by an inspection of the contents. We have no doubt, that young persons, who have not had their tastes vitiated by a pernicious course of reading, will extract much amusement, as well as instruction, from the perusal of these volumes. Although no wonderful personal adventures may be here recorded, much matter is collected together, which, while it supplies food for reflection, is both entertaining and interesting. The language is generally clear and correct, and a tone of good sense pervades the whole.

The first volume contains an account of the most remarkable voyages, from the discovery of America by Columbus. to the present time. Among the vast materials accumulated on this subject, it requires considerable judgment to select and condense into a continuous narrative, and into so small a space, a relation of those events and enterprises which are most worthy of record, bringing into prominent view what may best tend to promote high moral feeling, and throwing into shade what had best remain in obscurity in a juvenile work. Upon the whole, this task has been well executed. We do not quite approve of the arrangement, as it regards the allotment of space to each division-the appointment of this is not commensurate to the importance of the respective objects.

Voyages to the Arctic regions engross seventy-five pages, while notices of the early voyages to America, affording so rich a field, and, beyond all comparison, producing results of so much greater consequence, occupy only fifty-four pages.

The early voyages to Western Africa are most attractive, because that quarter is least known, and also because they are introductory to a subject replete with the most painful interest,-on which young people should be made to reflect, and which they should be called upon, from principle as well as feeling, to investigate. It is sensibly remarked in the volume before us- The records of these early voyages to Guinea and the adjoining country are, in a moral point of view, still more important. We write for the rising generation; not those in the stage of childhood, but those who, yet very young, have arrived at an age which may render their opinions and actions, in the course of a few years, productive of the greatest benefit or the greatest injury to themselves and others. Everything, therefore, which can give a right direction to their feelings and judgment, which may prevent their imbibing or retaining erroneous prejudices, and

teach them to entertain correct and liberal views, is in the highest degree valuable.'-p. 261.

Carried away by honest feelings of abhorrence against the slave-trade, the writer of this volume, perhaps unconsciously, paints in rather too vivid colours, the former happiness and civilization of the people of Western Africa,—before the horrible traffic in human beings by Europeans, caused every domestic tie to be outraged, and plunged the poor African into the lowest state of degradation and misery. No doubt, this trade tended still farther to debase and brutalise the negro race, but their situation, previous to their intercourse with Europeans, was not such as to cause us to look back with any deep regret on what they have lost. It is perhaps wiser not to dwell on what they were, but rather on what they are capable of becoming, when their condition is ameliorated.

Amid all the wonders related by the different early voyagers, care has in general been taken to select only those circumstances which have been confirmed by subsequent observers exaggeration and marvellous accounts being studiously avoided; and if, here and there, some statements may be found which do not carry with them the air of probability, these only serve to excite surprise that so very few should have been allowed admission into a juvenile volume.

The second volume contains a compendious view of the most recent and interesting travels in Europe and Asia. In this, The editor has endeavoured to embody the most interesting portion of the information furnished by the various writers whom he has consulted, supplying the deficiency of some by the intelligence of others, who had enjoyed later or fuller opportunities of observation.'-Preface, p. 8.

This task has been performed very successfully. Extracts from some of the best authorities are well introduced, and the text seldom gives the impression of its being a collation of materials drawn from so many different sources. At page 170, this is however made apparent, where, in one sentence, the reader is informed, that a postilion rides on the left horse-footmen play at cards whilst they are in waiting for their masters-a tailor sits at his work like a shoemaker-a hairdresser appears on Sundays with a sword, a cockade, and two watches, or at least with two watch-chains—a tavern is known by a vine-bush-and a house to let, by a blank piece of paper.'

The characteristics of various nations are, for the most part, given with judgment and impartiality. The poor Australian savages do not perhaps deserve to be placed quite so low in the scale of creation, since recent accounts from intel