PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED,

From December 7th to December 1455.

Bono.

The Laurringtons ; or Superior People. By Mrs. TROLLOPE, Author of "Widow Barnaby," &c. In three volumes. Whitefriars ; or the Days of Charles the Second. An Historical Ro- mance. In three volumee.

The Spirit of the Nation, Part II. Being a second series of Political. Songs and National Ballads by the Writers of the "Nation" News- paper.

Marguerite; a Tragedy, in three acts. By the Author of "The Shep- h d' W 11."

[The story of Marguerite is in itself less absolutely improbable than that of this author's previous publication, The Shepherd's Well : but his plot still exhibits more of the melodrama or magazine. Isle than the drama proper; the distress arising from cross-purposes, not from natural events developed to tragic depth by the passions of the actors.' This fault, however, might have been of less consequence bad the manners been appropriate to the persons, and their conduct consistent with the situations; but such is not the case: The fable of the piece is this. Marguerite, a supposed widow, marries an. amiable man, to preserve a home for herself and infant son. Her first husband, a French Colonel, was not killed in Algeria, as reported, but taken prisoner by the Arabs. Escaping, he returns to France, as a wandering beggar : gaining admission to his wife under the usual stage-pretence of a story to tell, -he dis- covers himself: being interrupted, Marguerite agrees to meet him in a wood; but when they get there, she cannot stop ; so he is to meet her in her Bedroom, late at night. In the interim, Hortense, the suspicions sister of Itikjembert the second husband, has observed these interviews ; delays her btolVerNi'de- parture by her Information; and though D'Alembert distrusts her stiiry, yet when he meets Eugene the first husband, under very equivocal cirentultaneein his calmness gives way, and he stabs him ; Marguerite entering to die.- .. The absurdity of a Colonel, in these times, wandering about as a beggar, after passing "head.quarters " and garrison-towns, is obvious. But the conduct of the heroine is a far graver fault. A woman of virtue, such as Marguerite is painted, would have been too overwhelmed by her situation to think of concealment, and far too right-thinking to carry on intrigues for that con- cealment without a purpose.

The composition is not equal to that of The Shepherd's Well. The play may therefore be pronounced a failure, since the execution is worse, and the plan substantially no better, than the first attempt. We should recommend the author to eschew " tragedy ": any one with the knack might produce a dozen such pieces as Marguerite per annum.] The Works of Beaumont and Fletcher ; the Text formed from a new collation of the early editions. With Notes and a Biographical Me- moir, by the Reverend ALEXANDER DYCE. In eleven volumes. Vo- lume IV.

[Contains seven plays] Alice the Enthusiast, Lama and Fais, with Ballads and Translations from the Spanish, German, Scc. By Jons HENRY KEANE. Second edition, with additions.

Hughes's New Embossed Alphabet for the Blind.

[Books have been printed with embossed pages, for the blind to read by the touch ; and here is an ingenious plan of emboss-writing for enabling the blind to correspond with each other by letter. It is the invention of Mr. GEORGE A. HUGHES, of Ramsgate, who is totally blind ; and it consists of a whole alphabet producible out of two signs, a single dot and a cluster of dots ; their relative position constituting different letters and numbers. These two signs are embossed on prepared paper with a sort of stylus, resembling a common pencil-case, the paper being laid on a cushion to produce the requisite degree of relief. The difficulty to be overcome strikes us as being, not so much the recollecting of these arbitrary signs, for that is done in practising short-hand- writing—nor the slow process, for the blind have but too much time on their hands—but the exactness necessary in impressing the signs so that one letter may not be mistaken for another. The manuscript letter of Mr. HUGHES that accompanied his alphabet, exemplifies the difficulty of writing straight to those unhappily deprived of sight; and the single raised lines across the pre- pared paper do not appear sufficient to guide the hand, so that the relative po- sition of the dots may be preserved correctly according to the formula. Mr. HUGHES, however, subjoins to his prospectus, testimonials from one of his brethren in affliction, who "feels convinced of its value "; and from the prin- cipal of a private establishment for the education of the blind, who states that in three hours his pupils were "able with ease to read the characters," and who sent a few lines embossed by one of them. Experience must determine the efficiency of Mr. HUGHES'S invention ; and if it prove practicable, he will have earned the gratitude of all who suffer from the calamity of blindness.]

The Cold Water Cure, as practised by VINCENT PRIESSNITZ, at Grifen- berg, in Silesia. With an Account of the cases successfully treated at Prestbnry near Cheltenham, by RICHARD BEARISH, Esq., F.R.S., &c. To which are added, some useful Hints for the General Prac- titioner; together with a notice of the Dipsopathic System of Scuncerx, at Lindiviese.

[This pretty little book seems to be a second edition enlarged in a variety of ways, Including the author's experiences in a pilgrimage to Grlifenberg. At all events, it is a hodge-podge. Mr. BEARISH first cured himself of some chronic disorder by applying, as we understand him, the information furnished by Captain CLARIDGE. He then cured some of his neighbours, one of whom had been given over by the faculty, and the prayers of the congregation offered up in vain; but he got better on the first cold-water application. Mr. B'aestisa then seems to have set himself to study the principles of the cold- water cure ; for an account follows of chemical and medical facts, taken from LIR/110, BEAUMONT, and other authors, lie then seems to have gone off to head-quarters, and come back with a relation of the great PRIESSNITE, with whom he has set up an establishment at Prestbnry near Cheltenham. Should cold water fail, however, "suffering humanity," as Mr. BEARISH expresses it, "has found another humble benefactor," in a peasant of Austrian Silesia, who, animated by the example of his old schoolfellow PRIESSNITE, "undertakes to cure ALL diseases, by withholding from his patients all fluids." Can such things be, and overcome us like a summer's cloud, without our special wonder !] Observations on the Proximate Cause of Insanity By JAMES SHEPPARD, M.R.C.S.

[The object of this little treatise is to ascribe insanity to some morbid state of the blood; Mr. SHEPPARD seeking to establish the two following propositions. "1st. That the mind, through the medium of the nervous system, possesses a cer- tain influence over the condition of the blood.

"Ed. That the condition of the blood, through the medium of the brain, possesses a certain influence over the mind, in relation to its development."

That these hypotheses may be true, is possible: it is probable that a morbid state of the blood may not only produce insanity, but the other disorders of the human frame. No proofs, however, nor indeed any very cogent arguments, are brought forward by the author in favour of his conjecture. The closest thing in the shape of argument (for much of the matter is quite irrelative) rather points to increased circulation; which may be an impulse to motion, not a change of constituent parts.] The Mabinogion, from the Llyfr Coch o Hergest and other ancient Welsh Manuscripts; with an English Translation and Notes, by Lady ClIA.R.• LOTTE Gussr. Part V., containing the Dream of Rhonabry, and the Tale of Pwyll Prince of Dyved.

The Fifth Part of The Mabinogion contains two tales of the oldest or Druid- ical series of Welsh Romances ; but they do not strike us as possessing the interest and variety which distinguished some of the previous tales, that had been enriched by the admixture of foreign materials. "The Dream of Rhonab- ry " is a strange medley, without head or tail, unless its purpose is to exhibit the chieftains, amusements, and wonders of Arthur's Court. "Pwyll Prince of Dyved " is a story of more incident and variety; but the glimpses of man- ners are not so numerous as in the previous tales, and the ends answered are out of proportion with the means used. Or perhaps " Pwyll " is in substance a repetition of what we have had before, and produces of necessity an inferior effect.] Eagle Cljff; a Tale. By the Author of ‘. The Book of One Syllable.' Illustrated with engravings.

[" Eagle Cliff" is the scene of a rencontre between some boys and a school- fellow of bad character, whom they detect in a confederacy with smugglers. The ostensible moral of the tale is the danger of yielding to impulse ; but the warning is really against evil disposition and bad company. The incidents are of too melodramatil a nature for boys to be actors in them, and the language is a little high-flown fur young readers.] True Stories from the Ifutory of the Church. Second Series.

[This is not a succession of " Stories, " but a continuous Church History, in chapters. The series commences with "The Fathers," and breaks off with King John's submission to the Pope. The author is of the Church of Eng- land; and he writes for young readers in a clear but not a simple and fami- liar style.]

Prize Essay on the Evils which are Produced by Late Hours of Business,

and on the Benefit which would attend their Abridgment. By THOSIAs DAVIES. With a Preface, by the Hon. and Rev. BAPTIST W. NOEL, M.A.

[This Essay, on a subject which deserves the attention of every housekeeper and friend to human enjoyment, is much better than prize-essays usually are. The author, in the first place, thoroughly understands his subject ; so that the evils he presents are real, not imaginary; and, though bad enough in their operation upon the comfort of life, and life itself, have none of that exaggera- tion which, singular to say, those who have never felt an evil always adopt when writing about it. Mr. DAVIES is also brief. The preface, by the Reverend BAPTIST NOEL, is entitled to praise : its literature is of a higher character than the essay, but without any loss of earnestness or sense.]

Hints towards the Formation of Character, with reference chiefly to Social Duties. By a Plain-spoken Englishwoman. [A complete book of "offices," chiefly addressed to the fairer portion of the community ; speaking of all the virtues, and to most conditions of persons, but principally the middle class. There is nothing to be gainsaid in the theories of the " Plain-spoken Englishwoman," though there is sometimes, perhaps, an insufficient allowance for the inevitable influence of opinion ; but at the same time she says nothing very particular.] Little Princes; Anecdotes of Illustrious Children of all Ages and Coun- tries. By Mrs. JOHN SLATE B, Author of " Sententhe Chronologim," "Lessons in Geography, Modern and Classical," &c. With Illustrative Sketches, by JOHN CALLCOTT HORSLEY, Esq. [A collection of anecdotes exemplifying the amiability, spirit, quickness, and other good traits of character in the infancy and youth of royal and other dis- tinguished persons ; classed and arranged under different heads—as Filial Love, Courage, Kindness; and introduced by appropriate remarks. The selection has been made expressly for the little Prince of Wales ; to whom it is dedi- cated, by the Queen's permission: but, though particularly designed for the Royal nursery, the book is calculated to interest and benefit other young readers. It is handsomely printed with a bold clear type; and the pictures are cleverly designed, in a superior style, and coloured in good taste : their effect would be much improved if the lithographs were printed in a brownish ink, for black tints do not blend with the colours.] Voyages Round the World, from the death of Captain Cook to the present time; including Remarks on the Social Condition of the inhabitants in the recently discovered countries, their progress in the arts, and more especially their advancement in religious knowledge. (Edinburgh Cabi- net Library, No. XXXIV.) [This volume contains a précis of upwards of twenty voyages that have been made since the time of COOK, with a view to scientific or geographical disco- very, embracing American and foreign expeditions as well as British. The abridgments are executed with the ability that distinguishee the publications of the Edinburgh Cabinet Library ; and if the character of the originals has not always been preserved, the leading information is always presented, and very often with distinctive traits.] SERIALS.

The People's History of Ireland. Parts I. and II.

[This seems a publication in the Repeal interest, intended to show up to "the People" of England how "Ireland has, for nearly seven centuries, been the slave of England," and "her soil has been looked upon merely as a hunting- ground for our aristocracy, with soldiers for their blood-hounds ": not that we should guess it to be written by an Irishman, but rather by an English sym- pathizer. For instance, CROMWELL is exhibited in as " Gloody " a guise as facts and his own writing can show him ; but, unlike Mr. O'Crassem. s book, some measure is kept, and the writer observes that the Protector has the credit of committing atrocities at places which he never visited.]

Harry Mowbray, Part X.IL Horse-shoe Nails, Nos. IV. and V.

ILLUSTRATED WORKS AND PRINTS.

Puss in Boots. Illustrated by OTTO SPECKTER. [Prettily as children's books are embellished now-a-days by contemporary artists, neither "Young England's Library" nor "The Home Treasury" can boast of prints equal to this set of a dozen droll designs, with which OTTO SPECKTER, an animal-painter of Germany, has illustrated the popular fairy- tale of Puss in Boots. We do not forget EVERD1NGEN'S humorous etchings for the "History of Reynard the Fox "—rarities of art that Ems SUBMERGE has reproduced for the delectation of young and old ; but they are by a Ger- man engraver of the last age, whose name was known only to connoisseurs.

OTTO SPECKTER'S designs are not mere sketches, but complete pictares, and tell the story with dramatic force, and a grave humour that is far more effective than the absurdities of caricature : the earnestness of Puss, with the good faith of the human actors in the scene, keeps up the illusion, and pro- duces the same kind of impression that the fiction does. The tranquil air with which Puss sits to be measured for the boots—his intense look while pulling them on—his demeanour to the King, (a fat, homely, good-natured old fellow fit for the monarch in a fairy tale,)—in short, the gravity and alacrity with which Puss performs his part throughout—are most edifying: at one time he is a feline Napoleon, at another a cat courtier, and anon the playful kitten.

The drawings are executed on stone, in the tinted style, by Louis Races; who has caught and conveyed the spirit and style of the originals: the quaint, dry, and exact manner of the German school, is preserved; and the humour is expressed characteristically. We wish Mr. MURRAY would induce EDWIN LANDSEER to illustrate zEsop both little and grown children would be delighted, as they will be with these designs of the LANDSEER of Germany.] London Interiors; a grand National Exhibition of the religious, regal, and civic solemnities, public amusements, scientific meetings, and com- mercial scenee, of the British Capital. Beautifully engraved on steel, from Drawings made expressly for this work ; with Descriptions, written by Official Authorities. [This is the first volume of a work now publishing in numbers, the object of which is to represent views of the interior of the public buildings in the Metro- polis, animated by the assemblages that take place in them on great occasions. Its cheapness militates against the attainment of that high degree of excel- lence which is desirable, and indeed almost essential, to the effective represen- tation of scenes of splendour and ceremonial dignity, by precluding the em- ployment of first-rate artists : some of those engaged are inadequate to the difficult task assigned them ; many of the interiors, consequently, are deficient in space and grandeur, and the figures are often uncharacteristic and ill-drawn. But an accession of superior talent is visible in the Palace scenes of GILBERT, where courtly magnificence is depicted with pictorial skill and tact ; CATTLE

- MOLE'S powerful pencil has given due vastness to Westminster Hall and the Temple Church; and G. B. MOORE'S architectural interiors of the Athenteum and Reform Clubs are correct and elegant, though not comparable with the picturesque beauty of J. HOLLAND'S. 'The engravings are deficient in the skill requisite to do justice to the drawings of the artists mentioned : but, its low mice considered, and the improvements recently made in the work, London Interiors is not altogether unworthy of encouragement.]

Genealogy Simplified and Applied to the Illustration of British History; with • Description of the Changes which have taken place in the Anna.

rial Bearings of the Sovereigns of England. By ARCHIBALD BAR- RINGTON, M.D.

The Genealogy and Armorial Bearings of the Sovereigns of England. By

ARCHIBALD BARRINGTON, M.D.

[This chart and the volume it illustrates give a very clear explanation of the origin and meaning of the various heraldic devices of British monarchs, and exhibit the lineal descent of Queen Victoria from the Saxon King Egbert through various changes of the dynasty. The chart is set forth in bold cha- racters, and is not encumbered with any superfluous details ; its object being to trace the reigning Sovereigns of England from the Heptarchy downwards, and to give their respective armorial bearings and cognizances in correct blazonry. The volume is written in the form of question and answer ; and explains, with such simplicity as to be perfectly intelligible to young readers, the source of each line of Monarchs, and the events that led to the interrup- tions of the succession ; and, by supplementary tables and description, it fur- nishes the details, both heraldic and genealogical, omitted in the chart.]

The Illuminated Miscellany of Prose and Verse. [A selection of short extracts,chietly poetry of a moral and religious tendency ; printed in different-colourcd inks, but not pretending to be a specimen of fine typography.]