too with general knowledge on the particular subject on which he writes, it would be next to impossible that Mr. Mc Diarmid should fail to produce an interesting, if not a very valuable work. The Zoological part of his volume contains miscellaneous notices of subjects in almost every order of the science of living animals; and his descriptions, generally involving some curious anecdotes of their characters and habits, are given with great clearness and force. The second part is occupied with sketches of localities, remarkable for scenery or some peculiarity of application, and biographical notices. In these is included an account of the real history of Jeanie Deans, for which Mr. Mc Diarmid has deservedly obtained the thanks of Sir Walter Scott, A book, better calculated than Mr. Mc Diarmid's, to gratify the curiosity, and elevate the heart, we have not met with. for a long time.

Mr. Rhind's work is not quite so practical as that of his countryman. It takes in a wider range of natural history, and seeks more to give general views of the results which have been attained in the science, than to furnish fresh facts, although there is no want of the latter. The work is exactly such a one as we should place in the hands of a youthful person, to give him a due notion of the vast interest and power of improvement, which belong to the study of the material world.

ART. XIV. -A Letter to Thomas Greene, Esq. M. P. on his Bill for a Commutation of Tythes into Corn Rents. By R. H. Jago, Land Surveyor. London: Joy. 1830.

WE are far from having made up our minds as to the propriety of establishing a general commutation of tythes,-but without at all pledging ourselves on the question itself, we may discuss the merits of such proposals as are now and then made to carry such a measure into practice. We think that Mr. Jago has indisputably shewn that his proposed system of taking the price of corn at that which governs every half-yearly payment, is by far more equitable, and certainly would prove more satisfactory than the complicated mode which Mr. Greene has hit on. We do not think that it would be wise or beneficial to include in the elements of the

valuation, the price of beef and mutton. Stock is liable to too many fluctuations which do not affect other agricultural produce, and by being thrown into the ingredients which are to constitute the basis of an average valuation, would, in our opinion, lead to very delusive and injurious

results.

ART. XV.-Three Courses and a Dessert. The Decorations by George Cruikshank. 8vo. pp. 432. London: Vizetelly.

AT any rate this volume is a beautiful specimen of typography; so beautiful, that we thought it was the season of the annuals we had arrived at, when we opened the polished pages, and beheld the art of the decorations. We have always thought that George Cruikshank was quite unrivalled in his way, for surely no son of the brush ever put so much meaning into a few scratches, or told such a world of a story within the miniature compass of a quarter of a page. There is not a single middling engraving in the whole work; and the only difference we can discover in any of them from the others, is that we are sure that the one we are

looking at is always the best. The first course consists of West Count Chronicles, very comic and very natural. In the second course we have some capital Irish tales, redolent of turf and sweet mountain dew, and ornamented past all possibility of being grave, with the broad unadulterated brogue. The third Course and Dessert are made up of some very good pointed stories, full of spirited and comic dialogues. Thus there is really and truly in this very handsome refectory of our author, fare for all palates -gratification for all tastes. A capital summer companion this volume would make, either for the bower, the grove, the carriage, or the steamboat. It is a most unerring guide (what cannot be said of all guides by the way) to the ancient and delightful city of good humour-a complete itinerary of the kingdom of merriment, and points out with exactness all the stations on the road, where the primest mirth and the most salubrious spirits may be had, and that too on the most reasonable terms.

By

ART. XVI.—A Guide to the Practical Reading of the Bible. William Carpenter, 18mo. London: Holdsworin and Ball. THE author of this very pretty little work is too well known as a biblical scholar, to require that any production of his, connected with the subject to which he has applied himself with so much zeal and ability, should be recommended by us to general attention. The first part of this Guide traces the history of the English translations of the Bible from the earliest moment to the present time. In the second division the author enters into an ample description of those qualifications and dispositions with which it is indispensably necessary that the Christian should be provided who hopes to derive adequate fruit from a perusal of the Holy Scriptures. He then devotes a third part of his work to a dissertation which is at once learned and simple, and, we may add, very conclusive, on the genuineness as well as the authenticity of the Scriptures, two attributes which it ought ever to be remembered were first shewn by Bishop Watson to be essentially distinct from each other. The work is rendered nearly complete by a set of tables and chronological lists that are calculated to save the readers of the Bible a vast deal of trouble, and also to facilitate their understanding of the text. The volume, we have pleasure in saying, may go into the hands of every class of Christians.

ART. XVII.-A New Topographical Dictionary of Great Britain and Ireland, &c. By John Gorton. No. 2. London: Chapman and Hall. 1830.

FROM what we have seen of this work we feel that our anticipations, derived from Mr. Gorton's execution of one of the best,-the best in clearness, in fullness and impartiality,-books of biography in any language, are an ply realized. This Dictionary, if it be completed in the spirit in which it has been begun, cannot fail to be estimated as a standard work, a rank which it will, we are sure, amply deserve on account of the proofs of diligence, candour, vigilance, and good taste which it will possess.

RT. XVIII.-Leigh's Guide to the Lakes and Mountains of Cumberland, Westmoreland and Lancashire; illustrated with a Map of the Country, and Maps of Windermere, &c. 12mo. pp. 136. London: Leigh.

THIS pocket volume forms as convenient a guide as we should wish to use, in traversing the charming scenery of the lakes. The maps, which are well executed, exhibit the beauties of Windermere, Derwent Water, Borrowdale, Ullswater, Grasmere, Rydal Water, and Langdale. The letter-press contains a brief and simple description of every thing worth the attention of the tourist, directs him to the best inns, and teaches him how he may make the best use of his leisure. An agreeable route is given from London to Lancaster, and thence to the lakes. An index leads us at once to any particular subject connected with the country on which we would desire to be informed. The book is very neatly got up, and considering the number of maps which it contains, it is far from being expensive.

ART. XIX. ·The American New First Class Book. By John Pierpoint, Boston: and re-edited by E. H. Barker, Esq., of Thetford, Norfolk. 8vo. pp. 471. London: Simpkin and Marshall. 1830. THE chief merit of this performance lies in the propriety of its arrangement, for it seems to us that its plan is founded upon a very accurate understanding of the true principles of instruction. The notion that children can be taught to read, simply by following dead rules and advice, is one of the most unfortunate delusions that ever entered into the brain of even a schoolmaster. Yet there are few school books which are not armed with the choicest canons for the promotion of nice articulation, and of due emphasis and sound discretion. Mr. Pierpoint well remarks, that reading can only be taught on the principle of imitation, and that one good reading master is better than a thousand volumes of instruction. Accordingly we have no such impertinences in this book. In his arrangement, the compiler has altogether departed from the beaten track, by adopting a sort of succession in the pieces which he selects, which shall give them the full advantages of variety. We see very great use in this, and the reasons offered by Mr. Pierpoint for the course he has taken, must be recognised the moment they are mentioned. The pieces are principally selected from British authors. They are interspersed with extracts from American writers, which give us a high idea of the state of literature in the new world.

ART. XX.-The Family Cabinet Atlas, constructed upon an original plan, and engraved on steel. By Mr. Thomas Starling. No. I., plain 2s. 6d.-coloured 3s. 6d. London: Bull. 1830.

We have had a great deal of beautiful art lately devoted to the illustration of geographical subjects; but the specimen of an Atlas which now lies before us, far surpasses any thing of the kind which we have seen. The size of the work, and the accuracy and elegance of the execution, claim for it all that interest and partiality which we usually bestow on excellence upon a minute scale. The object of chosing this small size, was, we are told, to suit the Atlas to the popular series of libraries which

Dr. Lardner and Mr. Murray are now sending into every family in the empire. But we think that another advantage will be gained by it; for. there is no school-boy, or indeed student of any age, who will not be able to carry at least a couple of parts in his pocket, on any excursion which he may engage in; and whether that excursion be for business or pleasure, we will venture to say that there will be few minutes of his time which will not be spent in surveying the attractions of the Atlas. This is the grand secret to get boys to love their books, and then they will be sure soon to understand them. But the minuteness of which we speak, is not in the least inconsistent with the necessary plainness and distinctness of details. The names of the principal cities and towns of each country, are laid down in the map itself; whilst on the opposite page are arranged in alphabetical order, the towns of less interest, with their latitude and longitude. It is impossible that any sale under the most extensive one, could repay the expenses of such a speculation, considering the very small price of each part. The first number contains maps of the comparative lengths of rivers and heights of mountains; maps of the British Isles and Switzerland, with accompanying tables of places.

ART. XXI.-The Affairs of the Nation represented to the Duke of Wellington. By Common Sense. 12mo. pp. 250. London: E. Wilson. 1830.

It is rather a bad omen for the reader who expects to find common sense in this volume, that in the first page which meets his eyes, he beholds in a wood-cut the Duke of Wellington engaged in thrashing, with a flail, the mitre, the crown, and the great charter. In the spirit of this representation the author, in language rather prosy, proceeds quietly to recommend a general subversion of almost every institution in the country. He contends that the church is neither good enough, nor cheap enough; that tithes are an abomination, and that they give support only to a vast number of drones. The universities he looks upon as the dregs of popery, public schools as an absurdity, pauper schools as a farce, and private schools as an imposture. He recommends a plan of education to be sustained and carried into effect at the national expense. Corporations are in this sage writer's eyes, a curse, justices of the peace are a curse, the gentry are a curse,-in short, the whole existing state of men and things is a curse. The reader will not wonder if among the other subjects of this author's reprobation, our systems of law and equity come in for a pretty considerable share of assault and battery.

Extravagant as the suggestions of such a writer are, they do no harm to the country; they will not impede the progress of that spirit of moderate reform which is now extending itself rapidly to all the real abuses of which the community have to complain.

ART. XXII-Sweepings of Parnassus, a Collection of Poems; with Essays in Prose on Miscellaneous Subjects. By Steropės. 12mo. pp. 131. London: Hurst and Co. 1830.

STEROPES is a farrier and a wag. He deals in all sorts of topics from the Creation down to a Lord Mayor's dinner. He writes in prose quite as

fluently as in verse, and seems really to think that he is a witty fellow. What will the reader think of the following epigram?

In England, if two are conversing together,
The subject begins with the state of the weather;
And ever the same both with young and with old,
It is either too hot, or either too cold;

It is either too wet, or either too dry,

The glass is too low, or else 'tis too high;

But if all had their wishes once jumbled together,

The Devil himself could not live in such weather.'-p. 54.

We have a formidable essay upon education, from which it appears that we are forthwith to be sacrificed at the shrine of a ruthless democracy, or to bend our necks to that unconstitutional increase of power which will be required to rescue us from the dreadful scourge of anarchy and revolution!' Oh !!

Whatever we may think of the poetry, we cannot deny the justness of the satire contained in the stanzas addressed by the hanging committee, for the exhibition at Somerset House, to a disappointed artist.

Say, whence this clamour, brother Brush!

Were it not better far to hush

Than thus proclaim your fate?
The sentence past, there's no appeal,
In truth, we care not what you feel,
Your grumbling comes too late.
E'en from the dead, none need be told,
Your stealings are so manifold,

That any common jury,

Such shameful practices to check,
Would hang you straightway by the neck,
In spite of all your fury.

'What if that critic stern, Jack Ketch,
Sub lege, your vile neck should stretch,
Your deeds will come to light;
But we to your connections kind,
And pitying them, your sins to blind,
Have hung you out of sight.
'Like brother Jack, why should not we
From government receive a fee

For tying up a sinner:
Then, why complain? for, after all,
The pittance is but mighty small,
A sovereign and a dinner.*
'Peace, then, ye discontented crew!
And let each devil have his due,

We care not for your frown:
For works like yours too plainly tell
That most of you would look as well

If hanging upside down.

.

Good night, Mr. Steropes,-thou art a most unconscionable rhymester!

*This is allowed to the hanging committee as a compensation for their labour.