Mar. What? Rob. Stone!-Rock! They never should have opened! Rob. But not the breath She justifies herself thus : Mar. I felt in the justice-room As if the final judgment-day were come, face Of human life—which, from the mighty thing All earthly ties, which, with their causes, melted But that all seeing Eye-but now I see There is much that is as touchingly natural and forcible in this play; as the passages now extracted; there is, besides, plenty of love and villany in it. But we have cited sufficient proofs to show, were this necessary, that Mr. Knowles has a poetic genius, cast in a dramatic mould of great power, enlargement, and no small degree of originality; that he is a poet of Nature's own formation; and that it matters little what his pieces may be technically called-since each of them, be it ballad, or be it play, gives out unequivocal specimens of his rich and ennobling treasures. Like all his other productions, "The Daughter" teaches impressively a fine moral, or rather conveys a succession of moral lessons, the scope of which must come strikingly home to every one's heart. ART. XXIV.-Encyclopédie Des Gens Du Monde. Tome Septieme. Première Partie. Paris: Treuttel et Wurtz. 1836. THIS dictionary is upon the plan of the celebrated Conversations-Lexicon, indeed many of the articles are either exact translations from that workor modifications of them, forming a universal repertory of science, lite, rature, and art; as also an account of the principal families in the world historically considered, and of the most renowned individuals living and dead. The work is conducted by a society of distinguished persons, foreign and French. Among the popular publications of the kind, this Encyclopédie ought to obtain a high rank, not merely because it is an improvement upon its predecessors, but because the contributors to it are numerous, talented, and possessed of a great diversity of acquirements. ART. XXV. 1.-Etudes sur Les Constitutions Des Peuples Libres. SIMONDE DE SISMONDI. Paris: Treuttel et Wurtz. 2.- Histoire Des Francais. Par J. C. L. 1836. Par J. C. L. SIMONDE DE SISMONDI. Tom. XXI. Paris: Treuttel et Wurtz. 1836. THESE two volumes are the productions of one of the most celebrated historians and political economists of modern times; the former treating of the social sciences-the other being a continuation of a work that has been for a number of years in the course of publication, and is still incomplete it embraces a large portion of the history of Henry IV., and of France, during his eventful and most interesting reign. Simonde de Sismondi is distinguished not merely in the departments to which these volumes immediately belong, but for his eminence in the sciences auxiliary to them. His knowledge of foreign literature has enabled him to take a high standing in the critical examination of polite letters; so that considering the studies, the experience (he was born in 1773), the accomplishments of this great man, his works are entitled to the character of those valuable books which will descend to posterity, and furnish lights and standard authorities for future ages. In his political principles, Sismondiĝis what has been called Aristocraticorepublican. As a historian, he is distinguished for his full and accurate narrative drawn with great scrupulousness from original sources; and his works are replete with instruction in regard to facts, and in their pictures of the changes in the social condition. But he is sometimes prolix, and the profound views, as well as large conclusions of the philosophical historian, are sometimes wanting. ART. XXVI.-The Conservative Peers, and the Reform Ministry. London Ridgway. 1836. HERE we have a strenuous and able vindication of the present ministry, and a severe castigation of the Conservatives. The writer reviews the measures which the Whigs have carried, and those in which their exertions have hitherto been thwarted; and while he bestows high commendation upon them, considers the difficulties which they have had to encounter in the work of amelioration fromTories, as well as timid Reformers and Radicals, denouncing the conduct and principles of the former, and beseeching the latter to sink all minor differences for the sake of union in the liberal cause. The pamphlet, in short, is a powerful and eloquent defence well as exposé of the measures and endeavours of the Reform Ministry. as Reform measures he divides into two classes; first, "those which require to be carried out boldly and at once, to the full extent of all the change which they essentially call for. The second are those which require to be worked out slowly-in which the alteration should be progressive and preparatory-and where the success of each successive step must guarantee the safety, as well as the utility of that which is to follow." The obstacles arising from the scruples of professed Reformers which the present ministers have to steer amongst, are thus clearly charac terised :-"Their support is derived from two parties, upon neither of which can they have any sure and permanent reliance. Both props are liable suddenly to slip from under them. The one party consisting of wary, diffident, calculating reformers; the other of reformers of a different class-intrepid, enterprising, and fearless of consequences. The former are perpetually watching them, lest they should proceed too rapidly; the other, keeping the spur always in their flank." "The ministry have to make head against their Tory adversaries, and at the same time, to keep in favour with both these parties." "The situation of the prime minister, reminds us of that of the Man of Letters, as described by Voltaire :Il resemble aux poissons volans; s'il s'elève un peu, les viseaux le dévorent; s'il plonge, les poissons le mangent." Thus, it appears that the reform ministry is placed in a situation in which no British cabinet ever was before. All who make the subject of government a matter of study and anxiety, should read this publication. ART. XXVII.—Analysis of the Bible, with Reference to the Social Duty of Man. By MONTGOMERY MARTIN. Whittaker. 1836. Ir is always pleasing to find an author of celebrity giving evidence, that however extensive and various may have been his secular studies and pursuits, "The Bible" and Christianity have not been overlooked by him, but been the most constant and highly esteemed of the subjects of his pursuit and meditation, Here we have before us an instance of this gratifying and instructive kind. The work besides is calculated to be extremely useful to all who make the sacred volume the standard of their everyday conduct in society. ART. XXVIII.-The Architectural Magazine and Journal of Improvements in Architecture, Building, and Furnishing, &c. No. 24. London: Longman and Co. THIS number, as it closes the year, contains "a summary view of the progress of architecture in Britain during the past year, with some notices relative to its state in foreign countries." The account is drawn up by Mr. Loudon himself, whose knowledge in all such matters and on kindred subjects, all the world knows is of the most useful and extensive character. Other papers follow, which are of equal value perhaps, both to the p.ofessional and the amateur-reader, embracing very various topics. We may mention the names of a few of these, from which the riches of the number will be in some measure appreciated. These are "The Report from the Select Committee on Arts, and their Connection with Manufactures, with the Minutes of Evidence," &c.; "The Fitting up of Interiors," abounding in antiquarian lore; "Candidus Note Book ;"" Design for a Country Cemetery Chapel" "The Description of the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital;"" An English Version of a French Plan ;" and "Miscellaneous Intelligence," &c. &c. Learning, curious speculation, superior knowledge of art, and practical principles, are displayed in one or other of these articles, presenting altogether a valuable and delightful magazine. ART. XXIX.—A New and Familiar Treatise on the Structure of the Eat, and on Deafness. By A. W. WEBSTER, Inventor of the Otaphone, &c. &c, London: Simpkin and Marshall. 1836. THE principal object which Mr. Webster seems to have contemplated by the publication of this treatise, is to afford useful and correct information regarding the ear to the general reader, especially to the deaf. This, we think, he has succeeded in doing; for, while his explanations of technical terms are such as any one may understand, he has adopted a scheme of distribution as regards the different parts of the ear, and their appropriate functions, that greatly tends to elucidate the subject. The author has made the particular organ in question the subject of long and enlightened study; and from the success which has attended the application of the "Otaphone" to the auricle, it may be added, that this study has been remarkably successful as regards its practical results. 1836. ART. XXX.-The French Self-Instructor; or the Difficulties and Peculiarities of the French Language familiarly explained, by Fifty-two easy Lessons. By D. BOILEAU. Simpkin and Marshall. THE author of this Self-Instructor is not one of those who undervalues the advantages of oral instruction; and accordingly these familiar explanations and easy lessons are chiefly addressed to those who, under the guidance of proper teachers, have already acquired a tolerably correct pronunciation of French, and the rudiments of the language, but which may have been in a great measure forgotten. To all such we recommend the work as admirably calculated to revive that which they once possessed, and thence to carry them forward to a proficiency in proportion to the study they may by themselves bestow upon it. At the same time the volume will be found of great service to those who have never made any progress in the language before, and this because of the simplicity and aptitude of its lessons for such a purpose. M. D. Boileau is well known as the author of several elementary works, both in French and German; and indeed the present volume formed part of the Linguist," which contained also instruction in the latter language, forming two octavo volumes. These he has now disjoinedthe present being devoted to the French, and one that is about to follow to the German. ART. XXXI.-The Comic Almanack, for 1837 an Ephemeris in Jest and Earnest, containing "all Things fitting for such a Work." By RIGDUM FUNNIDOS, Gent. Adorned with a dozen of "Righte Merrie" cuts, pertaining to the months, and an Hieroglyphic, by George Cruikshank. London: Tilt. It is impossible to look into the "Comic Almanack" without asking, by what process of invention, laws of association, or suggestive habits, have these humorous scraps of poetry and prose, and, more wonderful still, these engravings and hieroglyphics, been composed and arranged. Really this is a curious, and at the same time, a useful concern; but especially does it deal in fun and clever sallies of humour. Altogether, like its predecessors from the same publisher's repository of embellished and valuable works, it is unique. We must give a specimen, and without searching, or, indeed, being able to make a preference, we shall, upon the principle of "first come, first served," take January. Here, we have as skaters, a perfect Paganini, whiffing his cigar, and skimming along with a velocity and ease, as if poised upon the wings of the wind, with "a dumpy woman," hard behind, muff in hand, yet making equal speed. These lines are accompaniments : "Now folks trudge on with muffled faces, To meet Dan Winter's cold embraces; That upstart, purse-proud worldings wear. But Summer friends with Wintry looks, Are slipp'lier far than icy brooks." Passing over "Great Events and Odd Matters." with other notable facts and devices, we come to a woe-begone and grotesque group of "Froze-out Gardeners," who thus proclaim their laments : "Poor half-starved, froze-out gardeners, good gentlefolks, we be, We sits among the trenches in a shake and in a shiver, And our poor babbies are without a bit of kiver ; Like snails among the cabbages, they curls themselves around, For while you're sporting on the ice, we're starving till it's gone." Then come Christmas bills: we copy one of them. (Mrs. Figgins loquitor.) "Here's the doctor's-a horrid long bill And he vows he's as badly as you : For his patients wont pay him a groat, Merry Christmas and happy New Year;" The "Comic" shall be our cheap Almanack for this year. |