POETRY.
Moral Axioms for the Young. By Sir EGERTON BRYDGES, Bart. 2'he Conspiracy of Querini and Tiipo/o ; an Historical Drama. Wallace; an Historical Tragedy, in five acts.
The little book of Sir EGERTON BRYIMES is a versification of the most useful or striking of the Proverbs of Solomon; and as it is intended for children, each proverb is comprised in a couplet. Besides the good intention of the writer, the merit of the book con- sists in an occasional easy strength of expression ; its defect, in iliffness and a forced application, the idea being indicated rather than impressed. To persons acquainted with the Bible, too, the heroic couplet will jar upon the tniud, compared with the fell and solemn Bow of the racy origibal prose. Take a couple of examples.
TIIE USE Or PROVERBS.
"To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discre- lion."—Pionerbs, chap. i. v. 4. `. Hence dulness may be changed to sharp and Mee, And youth may learn the warines. of age."—Moral Axioms.
THE ANT.
" Go to the ant, thou sluggard ; consider her ways and be wise."—Proverbs, clap. vi. v. 6.
"Go sluggard! to the ant ; her lesson mitre,
And in thy copied industry he wise."—Moral Axioms.
• Of the two Historical Dramas, the Conspiracy of Querini and Tiepolo possesses the most poetical power ; and Wallace tne most bustle, so far as short speeches, and exits and entrances, can effect it. As regards the real dramatic spirit, they are both much of a niuchoess,—though both display more merit than the general run of modern dramas that come before us.
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