small condemnation of the existing regulations, that they work so ill before the present Outer House Judges, whose general excellence no one can reasonably hope to see surpassed."-Report, Appendix 35, Answers of H. Macqueen, Esq. (since deceased.)

Now, the day has departed, when the unenlightened doctrine prevailed, that to render law good in itself, and its courts the instruments of the greatest benefit to the community, it was necessary that these should be expensive, which is much the same as to say that their procedure should be tedious and uncertain. The authors of the various documents referred to in the course of this paper, whether Law Commissioners, Legislators, or Lawyers, never for a moment contemplate any alterations that go to uphold delay, or immoderate expenses. We shall, instead of going at greater length into any suggestions of our own, than what have already been thrown out, in regard to the necessary amendments and alterations, simply call the attention of our readers to some of the changes that have been proposed by some of the authors already mentioned.

Although His Majesty's Law Commissioners for Scotland have suggested a variety of reforms, it must be confessed that none of these seem to us to go to the root of the mischiefs already alluded to, and that they amount only to the gentlest method of ameliora. ting an evil system. Mr. Wallace and Mr. Hume, however, in the Bill brought in by them in 1835, which "was to improve and regulate the Forms of Process and diminish the Delay and Expenses of Procedure in the Courts of Judicature in Scotland, and in Appeals from the Court of Session to the House of Lords,"-used less ceremony. Mr. Wallace proposes, for instance, that to do away with the accumulation of useless writings, at the very beginning of a law-suit, the defender be brought into court on a short printed writ, distinctly stating the pursuers' demand, to be followed by a declaration, setting forth the facts on which he founds his claim, seriatim, and without argument; and, indeed, in all papers that are interchanged, (their number being greatly curtailed), whatever is advanced on one side, be explicitly admitted or denied on the other. Equivocation, and useless papers might be prevented, by a rigid infliction of costs on the erring party, and a denial of any right of action to every lawyer for every paper improperly lodged, either for his own client, or against the opposite litigant. This would go far to purify the Scottish proceedings of that system of mixing argument with fact, and the fact with law, that has so long prevailed in that country, and rendered the introduction of trial by jury so difficult and burdensome. Another of Mr. Wallace's reforms respects the oppressive manner in which appeals, especially to the House of Lords, are managed. But, as before hinted, our purpose in the present article, has been principally to

give a plain, but short view of the vices and defects which still characterize the Scottish system of civil law; aware that while it will require persons conversant with that system, and minds whose habits have been much directed to jurisprudence and its practical workings, to suggest improvements nothing short of the voice of the people, speaking the language of their own homely convictions, will ever ensure the passing of the most necessary and efficient reforms.

NOTICES.

A&T. XVI..-Mrs. Maberly; or the World as it will be. 3 vols. London: Macrone. 1836.

WITH the exception of some tales and conversations, which display a considerable share of liveliness, and in a certain sphere, correct observation of life, there is nothing in these volumes that is worthy of being published, or that can be read without dislike. The writer seems to have cherished no precise or fixed purpose in the course of their composition; or, if he did, he is not possessed of the power to make it be perceived or felt by a neutral party. He is common-place, ridiculous, and extravagant, instead of being an artist in any capacity whether as regards imagination, drollery, or caricature; whereas the announcement, that the year 2036 is the period at which he pitches his story, required extraordinary efforts and means to excite interest or awaken sympathy. Indeed, we could not augur favourably of any promised performance, after reading the following statement, which is to be found in a very early portion of the work, viz. "I have had a most rare vision-I have had a dream, past the wit of man to say what dream it was; man is an ass if he go about to expound this dream;" a prediction which has been verified to the letter, by the dreamer himself.

While we deny that the novel possesses the characteristics or the elements of a plot, we may mention-to show the sort of invention and method of the author-that he begins at a boarding-house in Civita Bella, a locality that is to become a fashionable watering corner. But where? In Australia! And where the most preposterous and convenient invention, in spite of rhyme or reason, is indulged in, about rail-road travelling, and the triumphs of civilized arts. It is quite easy to speak of zebras, elephants &c., being subservient to our ordinary or fastidious tastes; but the author never connects with his suggestions either an original or elegant anticipation. We are carried, among other places, to a Hotel (Royal, we suppose) in Ceylon, where a good deal of love-nonsense is enacted. But probably best, or rather most foolish of all, we arrive at Vitrea, a crystal city near the North-Pole; a city covered with plate-glass. Yet this is not enough; there is to be an atmosphere, and conduits of rain-at the command of whom? Why, the magistracy of the city.

Mrs. Maberly, as here put forward, has become the most stupid representative that ever encountered the vision of honest dealers, even in the matter of novels. Behold! Mr. Macrone, the difference between “Crichton" and "Mrs. Maberly."

ART. XVII. Oliver and Boyd's New Edinburgh Almanac and National Repository for the Year 1837. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd. THE present is certainly the most complete, the most elegant, the most useful, and the best arranged of this series of almanacs; though for many years, no other publication of the kind, which has appeared in this country has been half so good as its predecessors. Especially to the people of Scotland, whether these be devoted to business, or desirous of obtaining general information, it has long been an indispensable publication, and companion. There is not a spinster in the land to whom it will not afford agreeable research, and minister comfort. Who is there that has dwelt on the north side of the Tweed, who does not know, that, with the exception of the Bible, no other book is so constantly consulted, as Oliver and Boyd's Edinburgh Almanac ? We need not attempt, for it would be a vain labourunless we copied a specimen of every one of the infinite subjects and lists to which it directs attention, to give an account of its contents. The shortest and best method of characterising it is, not to state what it contains, but to ask, what it does not? The variety, the extent, the minuteness of the information it presents are incredible, unless to persons familiar with its plan, and the pains bestowed upon it.

ART. XVIII.-Arithmetic

Unveiled, &c. &c. By J. M'DOWALL, Accountant. pp. 180. London: Smith, Elder, and Co. HERE are a number of very useful tables, although some of them have a complicated appearance that will appear formidable to beginners. Proper attention to the principles which Mr. M'Dowall inculcates, however, and to the excellent rules laid down towards the end of the work, will greatly simplify and explain all future progress in arithmetical studies.

ART. XIX.-Pawsey's Ladies' Répository. Ipswich.

THIS is an elegant, small pocket-book, that is calculated both to be amusing and useful. It contains, besides poetry, tales, enigmas, and engravings of interesting scenes, various other matters upon which it is agreeable to exercise the fancy, or to task the memory.

ART. XX.-Etudes

sur L'Economie Politique. Par J. C. L. SIMONDE DE SISMONDI. Tome Premier. London: Treuttell and Wurtz. 1837.

THIS forms the second volume of Sismondi's work upon the "Social Sciences," and consists of a series of essays on the most important and disputed principles of the subject discussed. Like all the works of this great historian and political economist, these essays present in a flowing and graceful style, a popular, yet not superficial or unsatisfactory account of all that the author treats of. There is an essay with this title, " Des de voirs du Souverain envers les cultivateurs Irlandais, et des moyens de les tizer de leur détresse." that deserves to be read in England with great attention, for it goes to the root of many great evils, and suggests remedies that ought not to be withheld any longer.

ART. XXI.-Spartacus, or the Roman Gladiator: A Tragedy, in Five Acts. By JACOB JONES, Esq. London: Ridgway. 1837.

MR. JONES is not an unsuccessful invoker of the dramatic muse. Perhaps the strongest and most correct opinion that we can express in praise of the present effort, is to say, that we think it is worthy of being brought upon the stage, and that it would be a good acting-piece. There is much vigour, rather than fine writing in the dialogue, and no lack of incident or action in the story. It is also due to the author to say, that this tragedy was composed before the Gladiator became the topic of conversation and applause, in consequence of the manner in which Mr. Forrest, the American tragedian, personated the Roman character.

1836.

ART. XXII.—A Satire on Satirists, and Admonition to Detractors. By W. S. LANDOR. London: Saunders and Otley. MR. LANDOR, in this production, levels his reproof principally at Blackwood's Magazine. He seems, from what we here read, as well as from expressions to be found in some of his former works, to entertain a mortal dislike towards Scotchmen, especially Scotch critics of every grade. Though taking Byron for his model, as we presume, there is far more of the aminus, than the power to be severe, in his "Satire on Satirists." Somehow, we have not been able to peruse this indignant and would-be withering effort, without being impressed with the notion that its writer suffers much from an unhappy temper, and that he thinks a mighty deal of himself. There is much doginatism in his manner, and not a little obscurity in his matter. In the endeavour to be sententious and pungent, his lines frequently consist of abrupt breaks that certainly convey not half of the meaning that was apportioned to them. In short, we neither think that Mr. Landor is likely to obtain admirers through this laboured effusion, or that, if Christopher North should deign to lift his crutch in retaliation, that the admonisher shall come off with sound bones.

ART. XXIII.-D. Junii Juvenalis Satiræ ; with a Linear Verbal accompanying the Text, &c. &c. By DR. NUTTALL. London: Longman and Co.

1836.

THIS work is a great improvement upon Stirling's Juvenal, as might be expected from the well-known translator of Horace and Virgil. To the stately verse of him who may be called the last of the Roman poets, Dr. Nuttall has brought his acknowledged energy and classical accomplishments, and turned them to excellent account. The manner in which this has been done is distinctly and shortly explained in these words :-"The English translation has been so arranged, as generally to correspond, verbatim et lineatim, with the original text, as nearly as the idioms of the two languages would possibly permit. Thus the exact sense of the original can be obtained at a glimpse; and by those possessing the least grammatical knowledge of the Latin language, the verbal construction may be instantly discovered." It cannot but strike the student, that by following this method a much more euphonic and spirited translation is for

the most part produced, than if an attempt were made to construe the verse according to the common prose idiom of the English language. Besides the translation, Dr. Nuttall gives a Dissertation on the Life and Writings of Juvenal, a Treatise on Latin Versification, and an Index, Historical, Explanatory, and Referential. Taking the work as a whole, it supplies a desideratum as respects one of the most vehement and majestic poets that ever wrote. It is calculated to afford essential assistance to teachers and the self-taught, who make the language of ancient Rome the subject of their cultivation.

ART. XXIV.-The Cabinet Library of Scarce and Celebrated Tracts. Law Series. The Earl of Liverpool on the Conduct of the Govern ment of Great Britain, in respect of Neutral Nations. Edinburgh: T. Clark.

ANOTHER admirable portion of this valuable series of reprints. The calm dignity, and the plain but triumphant reasoning here presented, regarding an eventful period in the history of Europe, and the rights which England thought it due to her own interests, and according to the soundest principles of international law, to maintain both by the pen and by the sword, are sure, in after ages, to confer upon the name of the noble author, high honour, and to furnish a standard authority, on the points discussed for all time coming.

By the Author of “The
Macrone.

ART. XXV.-Zulneida. A Tale of Sicily. White Cottage." In 3 vols. We have had considerable difficulty in coming to any decided judgment concerning the merits of this romance. That its parts are unequal-that the author has contemplated, and for a time successfully pursued that which he has been unable to accomplish or overtake, must appear to a careful reader manifest, we think. He seems to have rushed too rapidly into the most exciting parts of his story, and to have at an early stage of it embarrassed himself with too many characters, among whom there is not a sufficient gradation or subordination. He has learning, he has read much, and can produce striking scenes, and put together powerful descriptions. And yet, owing to some defect, he does not furnish a lively image of the times to which the narrative belongs, nor finally engage the reader's heart in behalf of his most laboured characters. We felt, probably in spite of ourselves, that is, in consequence of the power of parts of the story, frequently inclined to admire, but ever and anon were obliged to take offence again; so that in as far as our feelings went, the author, though clearly a writer of ability, has not the peculiar art of giving life to his imagined plot, or of enchaining the fancy. He is often extravagant or runs into the burlesque, instead of being impressive and natural. The work, we fear, is a failure.

ART. XXVI.-La Hougue bie de Hambie, a Tradition of Jersey. With Historical, Geneological, and Topographical Notes. By. J. BULKELEY, Esq. 2 vols. 12mo. London: Whittaker.

THERE are features in this work that cannot fail to entice and secure a great number of readers. The first volume contains a fine romance.