P 1 JBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

MOORS,

Patrick Hamilton, the 17rst Preacher and Martyr of the Scottish Reformation: an Historical Biography, collected from original sources ; including a view of Hamilton's Influence upon the Reformation down to the time of George Wishart. With an Appendix of Original Letters and other Papers. By the Reverend Peter Lorimer, Professor of Hebrew and Exegetic Theology, English Presbyterian College, London.

WilOower. By the Author of "The House of Elmore." In three volumes. The Old Home : a Tale. By Mrs. Mackenzie Daniel, Author of "My Sister Minnie," &c. In three volumes.

Richard Bmbleton : a Novel. In three volumes, Clond-Shadows ; Ateherley ; and Miscellaneous Poems. By John William Fletcher, Author of "The Battle of Alma," &c.—There is fluency, imagery, occasionally vigour, and frequently terseness of e:xpression in Mr. Fleichers verses; but they will not leave the impression of poetry. Part of this deficiency, no doubt, arises from want of depth and genuine poetical spirit : the more obvious cause is the imitative character of many of the subjects. "Cloud-Shadows "Is a poet's life-dream, told in a very dreamlilce and misty way, and resembling the innumerable pieces in which young poetical aspirants have indulged since Byrcm's Dream, " Atcherley" is a mere peg to hang descriptions of moor scenery and rustic life upon, after the style of Beppo and Don Juan ; but imitative and self-obtrusive as it is, Ateherley" possesses more attraction than "Cloud-Shadows," from its greater distinctness. "The • Nemesis of Love" is the old story of seduction and death. Perhaps the best thing is "A Dirge," in which personal feeling seems to give force and individuality to some of the stanzas.

Pencillings in Poetry. By the Rev. M. Vicary.—A series of poems, mostly on occasional and common topics, exhibiting grace and tenderness of sentiment with an average elegance of style ; but the "pencillings " want the higher qualities of poetry.

Napoleon the Third : Review of his Life, Character, and Policy. By a British Officer.—A life or "panegyric "of Louis Napoleon, illustrated by free extracts from his speeches and writings. It is done in a strain of fulsome flattery, without that critical discrimination which flattery sometimes exercises even amid courtly compliments. The style in which it is written is rather that of a foreign diplomatist than a British officer." Among other discoveries, we learn that the wars of the Empire were owing to this country, and that "the policy of friendliness towards England is one which really appears to have been 'in his heart of hearts' ever present to the mind of the first Napoleon."

Landmarks of the History of Greece. By the Reverend James White, Author of the "Landmarks of English History."—The salient points of Grecian history exhibited in a series of papers or essays, combining the manner of the "article" and the popular lecture. Mr. White is familiar with the views of modern historians, and he exhibits their pith truly, and -with a sort of familiar effect. We have our doubts, however, about the utility of this "elegant extract" style of history. It may be better than nothing, or it may so satisfy the superficial reader as to induce him to rest where he is and not take the trouble to go further. The Landmarks of the History of [Ancient] Greece is cheap enough—eighteenpence, with a map.

Mechanical _Philosophy, Practical Mechanics, and the Steam-Bnyine.— This volume worthily completes "011.'s Circle of the Sciences," with the labours of the Reverend Walter Mitchell, Professor Young, and Mr. John Imray. The "Circle" was a bold undertaking, comprehensively planned, and spiritedly carried out. Let us hope that it will receive that support from the purchasing part of the public which it was difficult for the newspaper press sufficiently to give, partly from the periodical nature of the publication, but more from a similar cause to that which has prevented the appearance of some subjects in Orr's Circle that were originally advertised—" the readers by whom such subjects were in request were found to be too limited in number to justify their production."

The Forest of _Dartmoor and its Borders. By Richard John King, Author of " Anschar, a Story of the North."—Two chapters from an unfinished history of Devonshire. The first chapter contains the archseology and natural features of Dartmoor, and has some nice touches of rural description. The second chapter is entitled "The Border Castles " ; but is in reality a history of the county under the Anglo-Saxons and the Norman Kings, the last period being treated with the greatest fulness.

Ecclesiastical Outlines. By the Rev. Arthur Isham, MA—A very long and somewhat drowsy set of essays, intended to show that Episcopacy is a true institution of the Church ; that the Church of England is a genuine branch of the Apostolic Church, quite independent of Rome ; and to invite Dissenters of all kinds, including Presbyterians, to return to the fold.

The Business Annuals of the season are not yet exhausted. Mr. Thom sends forth his "Irish Almanack and Official Directory of the United Kingdom for 1857," with its Irish, Imperial, Colonial, and general inforrimtion ; which have grown to such an extent as to render the words "Irish" and " Almanack' no longer appropriate. True as the approach of Parliament, comes Mr. Dod with the twenty-fifth "Parliamentary Companion," keeping up with the changes which death, time, and promotion have wrought even among senators ; while the special edition" of " Bradshaw's through Railway Guide" contains not only a locomotive directory, but the old road-book and topographical tourist all in one.

Thom's Irish Almanack and Official Directory of the United Kingdom, with the Postoffice, Dublin City, and County Directory, for the Year 1857. Fourteenth annual publication.

The Parliamentary Companion, for 1857. Twenty-fifth Year. By Robert P. Dod, Esq., Author of the "Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage, &c."

Brads haw's through Route Railway Guide, and General Handbook of Great Britain. Illustrated with Maps, Town Plans, and Views. Special edition.

One of the principal reprints of the week is Mr. Shortland's "Traditions and Superstitions of the New Zealanders "; which he has revised and extended through additional information furnished by friends. In consequence of the ill-health of the original author Mr. Robert White, Mr. Johnson has edited and to a great extent rewritten the "Handbook to Madeira." The" Collected Poems" of Sir Oscar Oliphant have all been published already in some form or other ; they now appear with a coloured portrait of the author in full Highland costume. The three novels are cheap publications of Messrs. Routledge.

Traditions and Superstitions of the New Zealanders : with Illustrations of their Manners and Customs. By Edward Shortland, MA., Extra Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians ; Author of "The Southern Districts of New Zealand." Second edition.

Madeira, its Climate and Scenery : a Handbook for Invalid and other Visitors. By Robert White. Second edition. Edited, and in great part rewritten, with the addition of much new matter, by James Yale Johnson.

Collected Poems, By Sir Oscar Oliphant, Et.

The Haunted House; a Tale. By Frederick Gerstaecker.

Violet; or round at Last. By M. J. M`Intosh, Author of" Charms and Counter Charms," fcc.

The Ladder of Life : a Heart History. By Amelia B. Edwards, Author of " My Brother's Wife," &c.

Ants.

Black's Atlas of North America. A series of twenty Maps, constructed and engraved by John Bartholomew. With Introductory Letterpress and a complete Index.—The effects of habit or usage are well illustrated in our atlases. While the smallest states of Europe, such as

Belgium and Holland, are exhibited at large, the great territory of the lJnited States, and second only in importance to the United States the British Provinces in North America, are never displayed in any detail, and generally on the same sort of scale as the "quarters "—Europe, Asia. A hundred years ago, this mode of delineation exhibited the relative importance of the facts ; and with some slight changes, as much general as special, we have substantially followed the old fashion.

It is to the credit of Messrs. Black's penetration and enterprise that they have broken through this habit, and published an Atlas of North America, proportioned to the wealth, population, and importance of that great and growing region of the world. Twenty maps exhibit the continent as a whole and in its different subdivisions ; no fewer than fourteen being devoted to the different parts of the United States, so as to exhibit the natural features, artificial divisions, and such works of man as cities, roads, railways, be., in a clear, broad, distinct manner. Two maps display the Canadas, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, &c., in some detail ; while a general map of British America presents a coup d'eeil of the whole, including the latest discoveries in the Arctic Seas. The size of the atlas is large, and the scale considerable, leaving little marginal waste. A geographical and statistical introduction is prefixed, and a copious index follows the maps.