PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

THE meeting of Parliament and the approach of the London season have imparted fresh activity to publishers, and the double demand upon our space and time comes upon us at once. We shall there- fore take a very rapid and cursory view of the new arrivals the week has produced ; giving such accounts of many of them as a hasty and limited glance will enable us to do. Should no lull in the po. litical or literary world enable us to return to works which may deserve a more elaborate review, still it will be better that they should have a superficial notice than a mere titular chronicle—on the principle of the proverb, "any thing is better than nothing."

BooKS.

The Statesmen of the Commonwealth of England ; with a Treatise on the Popular Progress in English History. By JOUR FORSTER, of the Inner Temple. In five vols.

-Norway, and the Norwegians. By R. G. LATHAM, Esq., Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. In two vols.

.Marian; or a Young Maid's Fortunes. By Mrs. S. C. HALL, Authoress of " Lights and Shadows of Irish Life," &e. [Apparently a very amusing work, with germs of mystery, and no doubt of in- terest, to which it will he necessary to return. There are, too, capital charac- ters in the opening—an Irish watchman, and an Irish female serviint, the latter life itselq The Saucy Jack, and die Indianian. By a Blue Jacket. In two vols. [This is a nautical novel, and also appears to promise well. Shall we let the reader into a secret and tell him why ? The author plunges at once into the subject ; and before he has finished his first chapter of half.a.dozen pages, he has run away from school, got on board a privateer in happy ignorance of what she is, and, after dropping down the River, has all but cleared the Channel, having gotten the appointment of Assistant Captain's Clerk, the principal being all for the bottle.] Lollerings of Travel. By N. P. Wthras, Author of" Peneillings by the Way," &c. In three vols. [Three volumes of articles, as miscellaneous in subject as the contents of a light literary magazine. They are introduced by a preface, flippant. impudent, and wordy; the portion which possesses the most matter tieing Mr. W thms's defence of his alleged personalities, because they are so properly done, so emus- ing, and because he is an American. The greater part of the first volume consists of what are called "Papers "—a mixture of description, reflection, and any thing else which is handy to serve up. The first, for instance, is Mr. W Haas's account of the estimation foreigners are held in in London, illus- trated by an apocryphal anecdote of some French fortune-bunting Count, and a story of the behaviour of Grim and some other singing people at aconcert, where they had a '6 separate supper-table." The second volume and a good part of the third consist of tales, the scenes of which are laid on the Cm- tinent of Europe, or in America. Some poetry, miscellanies, and " Passages from an Epistolary Correspondence," millet' appear to narrate a tour, eke out the rest of the volumes.

The composition of the whole, so far as we have read, is flashy, flowing, and readable, but very flimsy. It is knack, not art ; and so far from stopping tit three volumes, Mr. WILLIS, we conceive, might have written thirty, seeing that his material consists of anecdotes, incidents, and scenes daily occurring, or else not occurring at all—pure fiction. His papers descriptive of modern man-

ners and life are best ; his tales are a superior kind of Annual article ; his poetry has a something of tenderness and feeling about it, and his verse is always smooth, but unfortunately the meaning is not always dear. Read one or two of his poems, and you think him sentimental; read many, you begin to suspect that he is a trader in sentiment. It should be added, that we do not vouch for the first appearance of all or any of these productions. Parts we have the strongest impression that we have met before—we think in an Ame- rican periodical ; and it may be questioned whether the whole was worth col- lected publication. The book seems tout an indifferent repetition of the Pen- cillings by the Way, without the natural form and continuity which that work posseased.] Records of Real Life in the Palace and the Cottage. By Miss HARRIET PIGOTT. Revised by the late JOHN GALT. in three vols. [These volumes contain a series of letters, written by Miss H. PIGOTT and her friends, during a tour and residence on the Continent, beginning in 1817 and continued to 1833. Her topics are various—descriptive of her journies, the landscapes she saw, the persons she met, and the incidents that befell her. Her style is agreeable and graceful, rather animated in manner ; but her matter is very slight. Some of her pictures of society, and of court parties on the Con- tinent, have the interest of high life ; many of her little stories have nature and sentiment. In another age this book would have excited attention : it may be read with pleasure in ours, by such as are not kept in a mental hurry by the movement of events or a multiplicity of objects calling for examination. Records of Real Life cannot, however, approach the Letters of Lady MARY WORTLEY MONTAGU, as poor GALT intimates. But this opinion was pro- nounced after he had fared worse than the patron of Gil Bias, having had screral touches of apoplexy.] The History of Jim Crow. By JOHN BRIGGS.

[A pretended history of an emancipated Virginian slave. The story is suffi- ciently absurd • but it contains some pictures of American life, which, though of no artistic:al merit, appear to be done by one who is practically acquainted with the Southern and Western States.]

0th arid, and Other Poems. By THOMAS AIRD. [Besides a few occasional poems, this volume contains " Othuriel," in seven cantos, on the destruction of Jerusalem under Titus ; "The Christian Bride," a tale of the time of Zenobia's captivity ; "The Demoniac," the chief subject of which is the Saviour ; and " Nebuchadnezzar" during his transformation. Their execution is not of a character requiring criticism.] Mercury, Blue Fill, and Calomel, their Use and Abase. By GEORGE G. SIGMOND' M.D , F.R.S., F.L.S., 8:c. [In this little volume Dr. SIGMOND has republished, in a condensed and con- tinuous form, parts of his well-known lectures, so far as they relate to the subjects of the titlepage. The work in effect consists of three parts ; the first being historical and biblio,graphical, giving the chemical history of mercury, and showing by very curious instances the manner in which it was formerly prescribed. The second part treats of the various mercurial preparations ; the third dis- cusses the general question of purgative medicines, especially of calomel, &e. Dr. SIGMOND handles the point with sense and moderation, but with a leaning to a free use of' medicine' we think. However, he admits that it is a matter for individual application, depending upon the constitution, the disease, and the weather.] The Hand-Rook of Chemistry ; with a complete Index of reference. By G. H. CAUNTER.

[A popular introduction to the science, with more of method and philosophy than is usual in compendiums.]

The Theory of Horticulture ; or an attempt to explain the principal opera- tions of Gardening upon Physiological Principles. By Jon>: LIND.. LEY, Ph. D., F.R S., &e.

[A popular exposition of the principles of gardening in its theory and the ap- plication of its theory. The first book describes the germination of seeds, and growth by the root and the stem. It also expounds the action of leaves rind flowers, the maturation of fruit, and the influence of temperature. The second book instructs the gardener in the general application of these natural laws as respects the choice and preparation of the soil, the preservation and sowing of seeds, the propagation, of plants by the methods of eyes, cuttings, graft- ings, &e.; as well as thevarious operations of the garden—such as pruning.] A Treatise on the Popular Progress in English History : being an intro- duction to the study of the Great Civil War in the seventeenth cen- tury. By Jour; FORSTER, Esq., of the Inner Temple. [A separate reprint of Mr. FORSTER'S llistorical Treatise, noticed in our Library. It is intended for purchasers of the separate volumes in Lardner's Cyclopanlia.3 Stage-g fleet ; or the Principles which command Dramatic Success in the Theatre. By EDWARD MAYHEW. [Practical hints for the guidance of inexperienced writers for the stage, to- wards the construction of dramas intended for representation, showing the technical points to be regarded in the arrangement of the scenes, conduct of the plot, &c. As this sensible little brochure originated in a suggestion thrown out by us, we would remark, that, in the eveht of another edition being called for, Mr. MAYHEW may with advantage extend his instructions to the higher and more essential requisites of dramatic writing,—namely, the art of pre- senting a story on the stage, the development of character in action, and the management of the denouement. On reconsidering the subject, moreover, the author might supply some mechanical directions that lie has either over- looked or too slightly glanced at ; and he would probably find occasion also to qualify some assertions of broad principles. In the main, his precepts are sound and judicious, mid the illustrations apt and pertinent.] Remarks on Certain Statements regording the Invention qf the Steam- Engine, in M. Arago's Historical Eloge of James Watt. By HUGO REID.

SERIALS.

The Dress-Mieher and Milliner. (The Guide to Trade.)

[A little book containing. very good advice to one of the most exposed and the most hard-worked race in Britain—the workwomen.]

Undine; a Miniature Romance. (Smith's Standard Library.) The Poetical Works of Dr. James Beattie, and The Grave, by Robert Blair. (Smith's Standard Library.) The Life and Adventures of Peter Wilkins, a Cornish man. (Smith's Standard Library.) The 1/lad of Homer, translated by Alexander Pope. (Smith's Standard Library.) [Pour inure of Mr. SMITHS cheap and classical reprints—various', all excellent m their respective styles ; and all arguing a more patient love of mere belles lettres than we thought existed amongst the mass of readers.] PICTORIAL ILIXSTRATIONS AND PRINTS.

The Ornamental Designs of Watteau, Painter to Louis XIV. Collected from his Works amt lithographed by W. Nrcuor.,. No. II. The Death of Harold, at the Battle qi Hastings. Painted by A. COOPER, Esq., R.A. Engraved by W. E1103ILEL

PAMPHLETS.

Thoughts on Reform ; in a Letter to her Majesty the Queen. By an Exile.

Memoranda of the Contest in Spain, January 1840. By Sir DE LACY EVANS, M.P., Lieut -General, Spanish National Army. [Apparently published by General EVANS to justify his conduct and his failure in Spain; but, either from want of skill or of a good cause, it is an unsatisfac- tory affair. The weak points are slid over. The original stipulations for the troops are not clearly or fully explained ; but, had the proper stipulations been ever so fair, security for thew fulfilment was the thing required. Apart from the defence, the book furnishes a pretty complete coup d'ecil of public affairs in Spain, from the breaking out of the civil war ; but it is very indifferently done. The General tries to imitate the startling rhetorical style; but is odd and abrupt, instead of effective.] The Second Annual Report of the Female Servants' Home Society, 1839: with a List of Subscribers and Benefactors.

Thoughts on the Corn-Laws. By MoNTacuE GORE, Esq.

A Letter to J. 13. Smith, Esq., President of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce. By SAMUEL JONES LOYD.

The Bank of England and other Banks.

The Nation in a Dilemma; or Which shall we alter, the Currency, or the mode of Taxation ? By the Author of " The Currency Question in a Nutshell."

The Opium Question. By SAMUEL WARREN, Esq., F.R.S., of the Inner Temple, Barrister-at-Law.

21inl Address to the Public, and more especially to the Members of the House of Commons, on the present unsatisfactory State of the Court of Chancery ; including Observations out some of the Propositions con- tained in the last Number of the "Quarterly Review." By GEORGE SPENCE, Esq., one of her Majesty's Counsel.