PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

Booxs.

Lives and Letters of the Devereux Earls of Essex, in the Reigns of Elizabeth, James I., and Charles I., 1540-1646. By the Honourable Walter Bourchier Devereux, Captain in the Royal Navy. In two volumes.

Legends of the Madonna, as represented in the Fine Arta. Forming the Third Series of Sacred and Legendary Art. By Mrs. Jameson. Il- lustrated by Drawings and Wood-cuts. A Treatise on Electricity in Theory and Practice. By Aug. de in Rive, ex-Professor in the Academy of Geneva, and Honorary Doctor in the University of Prague, &c. In two volumes. Volume I. The (lame of Bragg; or the Batterary Boys. A Comic Novel. By D. Owen Maddyn, Esq., Author of " Wynville, or Clubs and Coteries," &c. In two volumes.

Broomhill ; or the County Beauties. In three volumes. The Bride Elect ; a NoveL By the Author of " The Jilt," &c. Ia three volumes.

Memoirs, Journal, and Correspondence of Thomas Moore. Edited by the Right Honourable Lord John Russell, M.P. In two volumes. Reminiscences of an Emigrant Jfilesian. The Irish Abroad and at Home ; in the Camp ; at the Court. With Souvenirs of "The Bri- gade." In three volumes.

Love in the Moon; • a Poem. With Remarks on that Luminary. By Patrick Scott, Author of "Lelio."

[Unless for the purposes of satire, which sometimes borrows additional hu- mour or bitterness from the exaggerated or impossible, it may be doubted whether a writer anything by placing his scene in future times or another sphere. If it were possible to obtain entire novelty, the reader would feel no sympathy with the actors and events, even if he could with- out an effort comprehend them ;. but as the main elements must be earthly, it seems hardly worth while to introduce strangeness and confusion for the sake of a few non-essential circumstances, that are rather fanciful than original.

Mr. Patrick Scott's poetical powers and invention are considerable ; but he cannot overcome inherent difficulties. So far as his story is concerned, he might as well have remained on earth as gone to the moon. The distress of the lunar lovers arises from the feuds of their respective families. This common source of love's dilemmas is removed through the instrumentality of a wizard, who sends all the parties to the side of the moon which is next the earth, the brilliant appearance of which brings about a reconciliation. The why and wherefore—the astronomical reasons of this denouement—have to be explained in the preface; and when the whole is clearly understood, the reader is not so well satisfied as he would have been with a skilful recon- ciliation of an earthly quarrel. Further novelty is aimed at by turning the inhabitants of the moon inside out ; that is, their souls take the place of our bodies, and are visible,—a far-fetched idea, which, with some other ideas of a like nature, few readers will thoroughly make their own, or indeed un- derstand. The poem has vigorous writing throughout, and some passages are rather felicitous descriptions of lunar phenomena; but the whole is a mistake.] The Poets of the Woods. Twelve Pictures of English Song-Birds. Poetry of the Year. Passages from the Poets, descriptive of the Seasons;

with twenty-two coloured Illustrations, from Drawings by eminent Art- ists.

Uwe nice gift-books, very similar in character ; the illustrations to both

in printed by the chromolithogmphic process. In both also the poems, which have been selected with discrimination from various well-known au- thors, are similar, and in some instances identical ; although the range of subjects is naturally more restricted in the first; which confines itself to birds.

The " Poets of the Woods " especially distinguishes itself among gift-books of the season by good taste in its getting-up, and by the excellence of its de- signs. These are furnished by Mr. Joseph Wolf,—the same admirable artist, we presume, who painted "Woodcocks taking Shelter," and other exhibited works of unique merit ; and are full of piquant charm and pretty touches of nature. The type is slightly oldfashioned—just enough so to be agreeably peculiar, without affectation. The twenty-two illustrations to the "Poetry of the Year" are contributed by as many as sixteen artists ; and vary in goodness according to the variations of a scale which includes " E. V. B. and Messrs. Duncan, Weir, Cox, Wolf, &c., with others of less name and desert.]

A Bolyday Book for Christmas and the New Year; embracing Legends, Tales, Poetry, :Susie, Sketches of Manners and Customs, Games and Sports. [With a gay chromolithographic cover, well printed, on handsome paper, and with fine type, this book of Christmas and New Year wood-cuts reproduced from the Illustrated London News claims notice from the younger members of families. The articles, divided into six parts, are of various kinds,—tales, poems, sketches, &c. ; all bearing on topics of the season. The names of Douglas Jerrold, R. Home, Thomas Miller, &c., appear among the lite- rraarryy ; those of Kenny Meadows, Harvey, Leech, Gilbert, and Birket Foster, among the artists. We do not recognize any new matter in either kind; though we gather from the preface that some such has been added to the old.] Adolphe .Renouard ; or Peasant Life and Political Clubs in France. By James Ward, Author of "The World in its Workshops," &c. With numerous Engravings. [A tale of the Revolution of 1848, intended "to reveal the internal work- ings of the political and social institutions of France." The story is in a degree subordinate to the philosophical object : expositional dialogues on the economical condition of France, and scenes to illustrate the clubs as well as the character and schemes of their leaders, are more prominent than the actual tale. That is simple enough. Adolphe Renouard, the hero, is the son of a small proprietor, whose condition IS held up as a favourable sample of that of the peasantry; but expenses, taxes, interest on his mortgage, and the scanty produce of his few acres, press heavily on the elder Renouard. To lighten the burden, Adolphe starts for Paris in search of employment, with a letter of introduction from the village schoolmaster, a con- spirator driven from the capital, to a friend who is deeply engaged in Republicanplots. With these Adolphe is mixed up, as well as with Royalist conspirators and a Bonapartist, each combining to overthrow Louis Philippe, and then hoping to outwit the other ; a love affair in his native village, and the attachment of a Royalist lady for a Royalist colonel, seasoning the politics with romance. The story exhibits considerable know- ledge of French politics and economics as well as of the social state of France ; it is skilfully planned to embody this knowledge; and though a didactic pur- pose may be too prominent, there is sufficient dramatic power displayed to sustain the interest as a tale. In short, Adolphe Renouard is a very good story, and moreover, what novels are not always, en informing work. It will throw light upon the state of French politics, and of opinion or no- opinion, which renders such changes possible as we have seen within these few years.] The History of an Adopted Child. By Geraldine Endaor Jewabury, Author of "Marian Withers," &c. [It is an opinion of Miss Jewsbury that childhood is not so happy as it is usually supposed to be ; and to enforce this opinion she has told the story of " an adopted child." For her conclusion much may be said on both sides. Gibbon agrees with her ; Gray differs; and the majority follows the poet. Her own illustration is too exceptional to support her case ; the troubles of the adopted child are external, not intrinsic. Clarissa Donelly is the daugh- ter of an imprudent marriage on the part of her mother; and the daughter is thrown about the world among relational who look upon her as a burden or an eyesore, and strangers who care nothing for her, till she falls in with an old fsiend of her mother. In other respects, The History of an Adopted Chad is all interesting tale ; well told, vaned, real, yet with a touch of ro- mance.] Lewchew and the Letochetoans • being a Narrative of a Visit to Lew- choo, or Loo Choo, in October 1850. By George Smith, D.D., Lord Bishop of Victoria. [For some years past it seems that a missionary has stationed himself at the Lewchew Islands, in defiance of the authorities ; and that the British Go- vernment keeps him there by " constructive" violence, notwithstanding petitions for his removal; although there appears little prospect of his con- verting the people, since he was not allowed to address them—in fact, stringent police regulations doomed him to total isolation. In 1850, the steamer which carried the Bishop of Victoria on his visitation went on to Lewchew, in order by an imposing display to improve the position of Dr. 13ettleheim ; and this little volume contains an account of the Bishop's observations on the island and its people, as well as of the diplomatic proceedings. At the time these do not appear to have had much effect ; but it is said that the missionary's condition is now less irksome than it was, .probably as much owing to a visitation of the smallpox, in which his medical skill was of use, as to the visitation of full uniforras, marines, fifes and drums.] The Comets : a Descriptive. Treatise on those Bodies ; with a condensed Account of the numerous Modern Discoveries respecting them ; and a Table of all the Calculated Comets, from the earliest ages to the pre- sent time. By J. Russell Hind, Foreign Secretary of the Royal As- tronomical Society of London, &c. An Astronomical Vocabulary. By J. Russell Hind, Foreign Secretary of the Royal Astronomical Society of London, &c.

[These two publications exhibit high attainments, employed on the useful task of bringing together important scattered facts, of popularizing recondite knowledge, or presenting necessary information in a handy form. The treatise on Comets is a very instructive and at the same time attractive essay on those eccentric bodies ; telling their story,. describing their characteristics, and constitution so far as it is known or conjectured, and, under the head of particular comets, popularly explaining the penetrating sagacity and stu- pendous calculations they have been the means of calling forth. The As- tronomical Vocabulary is a dictionary of terms as settled by modem usage, conveyed in clear language, and contained in a small compass.]

Religion and Education in Relation to the People. By John Alfred Langford, Author of "Religious Scepticism," &c. [The object of Mr. Langford is the improvement and extension of popular education. The basis of his argument may be stated somewhat thus. Belief is a matter which cannot rightfully be forced on others. Thus, "it is of the first necessity that that education which enables its possessor to advocate his own views * * * should be free to all, and that all may have the same pos- sibilities of becoming their own adjudicators in matters of faith."] A Hundred Short Tales for Children. From the German of C. von Schmid. By F. B. Wells, M.A., Rector of Woodchurch, Kent. [Incidents, accidents, natural phenomena, thrown into the form of little narratives, designed to impress useful lessons upon children, at the same time that interest is excited by the tale.] Magic and Witchcraft. (Reading for Travellers.)

[A well-written account of the most remarkable facts and cases on the sub- jects of the title. It will form pleasant "reading for travellers."]

The Six Days. By Captain Charles Knox, Author of "The Ark and the Deluge," &c.

[A set of essays on the Mosaic account of the Creation.]

Readings in Italian Prose Literature. With Biographical Sketches. By G. Aubrey Bezzi, Professor of Italian in Queens College, London. German Conversation Book; being a Selection from German Prose Dramatists, with a free Translation and Notes. By Adolphus Bemays, Ph. Doe., Professor of the German Language and Literature in King's College, London, &c.

The most considerable reprint is that of Macaulay's Essays, in three neat, compact, but rather stout volumes. We are not sure whether " The Whistler at the Plough" is entirely a new work, or old matter in a new form ; though we incline to think the latter is the fact. At all events, it consists of a selection of half-descriptive, half-controversial writings, the result of tours made by Mr. Somerville under the patronage of the League, with the object of aiding the abolition of the Corn-laws. The English let- ters are followed by some written from Ireland during the famine; and these are collected from the newspapers of the day. There is nothito remark upon in the new edition of Mr. Searle's " Memoirs of Elliott."' The sixth and revised edition of Mr. Johnston's " Agricultural Chemistry " speaks for itself.

Critical and Historical Essays contributed to the Edinburgh Review by Thomas Babington Macaulay. New edition. In three volumes.

The Whistler at the Plough: containing Travels, Statistics, and Descrip- tions of Scenery and Agricultural Customs in most parts of England; with Letters from Ireland. Also Free-trade and the League, a Bio- graphic History. By Alexander Somerville, Author of Letters signed "One who has Whistled at the Plough," &c. Memoirs of _Ebenezer Elliott, the Corn-law Rhymer; with Criticisms upon his Writings. By January Searle. Elements of Agricultural Chemistry and Geology. By James F. W.

Johnston, F.ILSS.L. and E., Honorary Member of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, and Author of "Lectures on Agri- cultural Chemistry and Geology." Sixth edition.

ILLUSTRATED Worms.

The Lady of the _Lake. By Sir Walter Scott, Bart. With all his In- troductions, various Readings, and the Editor's Notes. Illustrated by numerous Engravings on Wood from Drawings by Birket Foster and John Gilbert.

[This handsome volume is as yet the gift-book of the season. The rich crimson and gold binding emulates the work of the artist-craftsmen of the middle ages, and we know not at what reduction of price—though the work itself may be somewhat less durable. The cloth has an indented pattern better-looking than the grain of morocco ; and is impressed with various ap- propriate emblems in gold. The inside vies with the exterior : the paper pleasant to the eye ; the fifty or more wood-cuts almost rivalling copper- plate, so far as landscape, vegetation, and animals are concerned—for the human form is not quite so successful. The volume is fitted for the boudoir, the drawingroom, or the show bookcase.]

Plarpinarrs.

Do All to the Glory of God. A Sermon. 1.333r the Reverend Francis Tate, M.A. The Law of the Sabbath, Religious and Political. By Josiah Condor. Moral-Sanitary Economy. By Henry M'Cormac, M.D., Consulting Physician to the Belfast General Hospital, &o.

An Account of Bethlem Hospital, &c.

The New Reform Bill, &c. A Letter to Thomas Baring, Esq., M.P., on the Indian Civil Service. By Sir Edward Colebrooke, Bart. Remarks on the Production of the Precious Metals, and on the Demo- nitization of Gold in several Countries in Europe. By M. Leon Faneber. Translated by Thomson Sankey junior.