PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED,

From July 7th to July tti st.

BOOKS.

Tales of the Braganva ; with Scenes and Sketches. By T. H. Uszoartz,

Esq., .Author of a New Guide to the Levant, Egypt, Syria, Greece, &c. .A Steam Voyage to Constantinople, by the Rhine and the Danube, in 1840-41, and to Portugal, Spain, &c., in 1839. By C. W. VANE, Marquis of LONDONDERRY, i &c. To which s prefixed, the

Author's Correspondence with Prince Metternich, Lords Ponsonby, Palmerston, Soc. In two volumes.

Solution des Prod lime de la Population et de la Subsistence, soumise a un Medecin, dans une aerie de Lettres. Par CHARLES LOUDON, Docteur en Medecine, Ex-Commissaire de S. M. Britannique chargé de Pin- spection des Enfans Employes dans lea Manufactures d'Angleterre.

A Plain and Direct Translation of the Inferno of Dante; intended to render the design character, and incidents of the Divine Commedia familiar to English readers, with Explanatory Notes. By Cuestas HINDLEY, of R: indley. Part I.; Cantos 1, 2,3,4.

[This is one of the many guides to a most difficult writer; one of the least pretending, and one of the best. So far as we have read, it consists of a close prose translation, split into paragraphs to correspond with the terra rima of the original, so as to be of easy reference; and it is illustrated by short notes, explaining the allegory. Besides the antiquated style of his age, and the Flo- rentine words used by the poet, in cultivating a compression and directness of style which imparted greater force to his language than that of any other Ita- lian writer, DANTE necessarily increased at times the obscurity inseparable from his half- metaphysical half-political satirical dream. The chief faults of the work appear to be two, of an opposite kind—not a sufficiently literal ad- herence to the text ; and too literal an interpretation of metaphorical passages. DANTE plunges at once into the strange and powerful middle region between physical and metaphysical, in the first lines of his poem- " Net mezzo del cammiu di nostm vita.

Mi ritrovai per una salve oscura,

Che la diritta via era smarrita."

Which being closely translated, is-

" In the middle of the way of our life. I found myself in a dark wood, where the straight path was bewildered."

Mr. HINDLEY, uncompelled by any metre or rhyme, renders the passage thus- - In the midway of this our mortal life. I found myself in a dark and gloomy forest, that from the direct path was tamed aside."

In the next triad, he translates the " advs. selvaggia " of DANTE into the " savage wildness " of the wood ; though the phrase " wild wilderness" courted his use, and would better have paraphrased DANTE'S manner. He jus- tifies these departures from the text on the score of expression or euphony ; but no amplification can increase the effect of DANTE'S stern simplicity, which partakes of the same solemn and primeval grandeur that dignifies the great works of early inspiration, divine or secular—as the Bible, the most ancient sculptures, the works of' the first great painters in Italy herself, DANTE'S con-

temporaries. The explanation of the selva selvag i

yia, n the notes, is not the strongest exemplification of the attempt at too literal explanation. It is said to typify a " life of ignorance, error, and ill-regulated passions " ; but that "the true intent was to depicture the disordered state of Italy." The state of matters around him may have been DANTE'S "wild wilderness "; but it is im- possible not to suppose that it also represented that state of scepticism or du- biety through which most thinkers have to pass, and which to the sombre and passionate DANTE must have been truly dark and bewildering. But probably the poet meant to leave the phrase obscure, like the thing. With a caveat against the full adoption of all Mr. Hrsonav's interpreta- tions, where doubt abounds, we take his translation to be a useful clue to a study which without some clue were hopeless to the beginner ; and the prac- tised scholar of the language may be glad of a frequent jog to the memory for political allusions, or a ready hint for the meaning of a metaphor, though he should desire to puzzle out the true meaning for himself.] New Zealand, its Advantages and Prospects as a British Colony; with a full account of the Land-claims, Sales of Crown Lands, Aborigines, 8tc. tire. By CHARLES TERRY, F.11.5., F.S.A. fMr. TERRY'S account of New Zealand, so far as the descriptive part goes, re- ates almost entirely to the Northern part of the North Island; where the casual emigrants from New South Wales and Governor Boasorr's immediate followers are settled ; the colonies from Europe having settled on the border's of Cook's Strait. The volume, however, contains a great deal of valuableinfonnation on extravagant claims to land preferred by the Sydney land-sharks and others, and the complication of their titles, partially recognized, with native rights, also distinctly recognized by the British Government. From his representation it would seem that Governor Monson's recognition of the native proprietary right in the soil, at the time that he negotiated for the cession of the sovereign right to the British Crown, awaits some troublesome eckircissement ; and the whole complication of the matter opposes considerable difficulty to the aliena- tion of land. Perhaps he overrates the practical difficulty. Land-jobbing at Auckland furnishes another fertile theme. The necessity for disposing of these questions before the colony shall have been extensively settled is pressing; and considerable mischief accrues from the mere delay : the land, for instance, is despoiled of its most valuable timber while the property in it is disputed. Without adopting the writer's special views, we may say that the volume is well worth the perusal of all who desire information on the subject of the newest and one of the finest of our Colonial dependencies.] The Art of Conversation ; with Remarks on Fashion and Address. By Captain ORLAIqD0 SABERTASH. [A series of essays, or rather of articles, on the subject of conversation; in which a good many commonplaces are mixed up with some shrewd and useful observations by a man of the world. The book, however, smacks strongly of magazine-mongery, and is often vague, and often tainted with a " Noctes Ambrosianie " tone, which is not exactly the style for a didactic work. The author says that we have not "a single good book on conversation,"—meaning that "none of the works written on the subject seem to have exercised any influence on the art they profess to teach." Did it never strike him that con- versation cannot be taught by precept, beyond a few simple rules which do little more than enable the tyro to avoid giving offence? Reading,- and still more observation, must supply matter—experience and tact, manner—for conversa- tion. Nothing is more ludicrous than to hear a young gentleman trying to talk out of book, and touching upon a succession of topics scion lea regles, every one of which only serves to exhibit his incapacity.] The Shooter's Hand-Book; being the Treatise on Shooting from "The Rod and the Gun," by the Author of " The Oakleigh Shooting Code." [This volume—whose appearance indicates the advance of summer, and speaks to the sportsman of approaching delight—is the cream or quintessence as it were of several publications, of which the author is his own compiler. After the ar- ticle "Shooting" was written for the Encyclopedia Britannica, the Oakley Shooting- Code was withdrawn from publication ; so much of it as was deemed worth preserving being embodied in the encyclopedic treatise, which was sepa- rately republished under the title of The Rod and the Gun. The shooting por- tion of that publication now appears in the volume before us : it contains a de- scriptive account of all the different modes of shooting, from deer-stalking to partridge-shooting and even rabbit-shooting ; much practical advice upon the subjects of conducting yourself in the field ; choosing, charging, and handling your gun ; training and managing your dogs, &c. The whole forms a com- pendium of the didactics of shooting, all the more readable from not being eonveyed in a formal didactic shape.] Consecrated Thoughts; or a few Notes from a Christian Harp. By WILLIAM HARRISON, A.M., Author of "The Tongue of Time," &c. [This little volume consists of poems of which a text of Scnpture furnishes the theme. They are animated by a devout feeling, and the verse is sufficiently harmonious; but they lack poetical spirit.] Practical Introduction to the Study of the German Language, according to the views of Dr. BECKER, the discoverer of the Natural System of

Language, and founder of an Improved Method of Instruction. By

HEINRICH APEL, late Assistant Master in King's College, London. [The object of the compiler of this introduction seems to have been to furnish schools and young persons with an abridgment of Dr. BECKER'S Grammar. Such an abridgment, well executed, would have been an acquisition, both on the score of utility and economy. But Mr. APEL does not, judging from his work, appear to possess the precision of thought and neatness of execution ne- cessary for such a task. He has, apparently, mastered Dr. BECKER'S system sufficiently to be able to teach in accordance with it ; but his book will hardly enable any other person to do so.] The Classified Spelling-Book ; with Definitions and Explanations. In this elementary word-hook—a great improvement on the old spelling- book—the words, instead of being marshalled in alphabetical order and accord- ing to the number of syllables, are classed according to the ideas associated with them, the better to engage the learner's attention and impress their meaning as well as spelling on the memory. Thus, a boy's play-things, or the parts of a knife, form groups of substantive nouns; and the qualities of paper, ink, a top, or a slate, groups of adjectives. Beginning with common things and simple words, the lessons proceed to terms of more complex mean- ing, illustrated with cuts, affording a great deal of useful information beyond what common dictionaries furnish.] The Book of One Syllable. Illustrated with six engravings. [A child's first reading-book ; containing little stories of real boys and girls, each inculcating some useful lesson; and accounts of the sun and moon, the earth and air. Not only are the words of one syllable, but, for the most part, the ideas are simple, and suited to the comprehension of the infant mind. The moral tone is pure also ; and the punishments held out as warnings are those that inflict mental not bodily pain. Four of the tales are said to be juvenile productions; but it is not easy to distinguish them.] The Cottage on the Common, and the Little Gleaners. By C. M., Author of "The Child and the Hermit."

[Explanatory comments on passages of Scripture, introduced by description and incident to lure the attention of young readers : but the style is not always plain enough.]

England under the Popish Tile, from A.D. 600 to A.D. 1534. By the Reverend C. E. ARMSTRONG, M. A., of Worcester College, Oxford.

[A concise and animated sketch of the history of England in so far as it is connected with the tyranny and exactions of Popedom, and the profligacy, hy- pocrisy, and cruelty of the Romish priesthood ; terminating with the suppres- sion of the Monasteries by HENRY the Eighth, and including a eulogy of Jus- tices of the Peace. This unpretending little volume shows considerable research, and gives some information that may be new to general readers of English his- tory: it is a stone flung by a vigorous arm, with a well-directed aim, at the corruptions of Popery.]

Transactions of the Royal Institute of British Architects of London. Volume I. Part II.

[The papers in this Part are mostly valuable and original, but too technical for any but the student : those of Professor WILLIS on Gothic Vaultings, of Herr EIALLMANN on Greco-Russian Ecclesiastical Architecture, of Herr BEUTII on the Cost of Buildings in Germany, and of Mr. C. H. Salmi or, Stone for Build ing, contain much useful information. The volume is illustrated by numerous well-executed engravings on wood, stone, and copper.]

SERIALS.

A Dictionary, Geographical, Statistical, and Historical, of the various Countries, Places, and principal Natural Objects in the World. With Maps. By J. R. M'Cum.ocrt, Esq. Part XV.

[This Part—the last but one of a very valuable work—is rich in information on various large and interesting subjects ; Tunis, Tripoli, Turkey, and the United States. The view of the Slave question and Slavery, in the last-named paper, is full and fair ; there is a useful reprint at length of the Constitution of the United States ; and the statistics are very ample. Considering, however, the assertions just now made about the vast quantities of corn America is capable of supplying us with at next to nothing, it would have been well to have given full statements of the prices at the great cities on the Atlantic seabord, instead of pitching upon Philadelphia ; for it is obvious that American wheat cannot be sold cheaper in England than in New York, Sec. It might have been better, too, to have given the price of wheat per bushel or quarter at Philadelphia, which all English readers can use for purposes of comparison, instead of "flour per barrel," which many cannot use.] Selections from the Unpublished Memoirs of 2FIr. Roger M'Cormick, Parts V. and VL

PERIODICALS.

Asiatic Journal for July.

PICTORIAL ILLUSTRATIONS AND PRINTS.

The Seasons. By JAMES THOMSON. With engraved Illustrations from Designs drawn on wood by JOHN BELL, Sculptor, C. W. COPE, THOMAS CHESWICK, J. C. HORSLEY, J. P. KNIGHT, A.R.A., R. RED- GRAVE, A.R.A., FRANK STONE, C. STONIIOUSE, FREDERICK TAY- LER, H. J. TOWNSEND, and THOMAS WEBSTER, A.R.A. And with the Life of the Author by PATRICK Muanocm, D.D., F.R.S. Edited by BOLTON CORNET, Esq.

[This beautiful volume, in its dazzling cover of cerulean blue, regarded as a specimen of typography alone, would challenge admiration, even in these days of fine printing ; but it has also the merit of being the best-edited and best- illustrated edition of THOMSON'S Seasons that we know of. The editor, Mr. BOLTON CORNEY, the severe critic of The Curiosities of Literature, has per- formed his task literally as a labour of love, if we rightly understand his mean- ing when he says that he has "acted on this occasion as an amateur" ; and both by his taste and accuracy is well qualified for the duty. The edition chosen for the text is that of 1746, the last revised by the poet, who died in 1748; and the Memoir of THOMSON prefixed is that of his friend Dr. PATRICK MURDOCH ; the additional information furnished by other biographers being given in the notes. The illustrations, seventy-seven in number, consist of head and tail pieces and vignettes, very many of them embracing two-thirds of the page, and all distinguished by genuine English rustic character and a kindred poetic feeling. This will not he doubted by those who have seen the illustrations of the De- serted Village by the Etching Club, to which the designers of the cuts to THOMSON'S Seasons belong; excepting, we believe, C. Hazen, a German artist, who has designed emblematical arabesques, delicate in fancy and elegant in style, introductory to each Season. The designs are various both in subject and in style ; but scenes of homely and rural character predominate ; which, strange as it may seem, has not always been the case with the embellishments of THOMSON'S Seasons. The rustic groups of MeS8111. REDGRAVE, WEB- STER, COPE, and HORSLEY, are concemed in the spirit of the poet's descrip- tions; the truth of reality being elevated by an infusion of congenial fancy. CRESWICR'S landscapes breathe the repose and simplicity of village-life ; TOWNSEND'S romanttc scenes and BELL'S sculpturesque figures varying the series. The most strikingly picturesque are the rural sports and occupations depicted by F. TAYLEH ; whose representations of hunting, fly-fishing, 8:c. have all the freshness and animation of out-door pursuits: his effects ot light are luminous indeed; the sunbeams streaming across the waterfall, the blaze of sunrise, the flame of the wildfire, and the dazzling whiteness of snow, sea imitated on the wood with the vividness of colour. In these rich and brilliant effects, too, the work of the engraver, skilful throughout, is seen to great ad.. vantage.] Views of Haddon Hall. By DOUGLAS MontsoN.

[This is the work noticed at some length last week, under the head of Fine Arts.]

Roberts's Sketches in the Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, and Nubia, Part iv.

IA. distant view of Jerusalem, under a sober effect of morning twilight—the Citadel with a group of Turks—and an interior of the chapel of Mount Cal. vary, with its ever-burning lamps and candles (a scene for the Diorama)—are the subjects of the large plates: the Fountain of Job, the Pillar of Absa- lom, and Pool of Siloam, are the subjects of the vignettes. The drawings, by Louis HAGIIE, are the perfection of tinted lithography. The letterpress of this Part concludes Dr. CROLY'S eloquent introductory sketch of the history of the Jews up to the birth of Christ.] Brockedon's Italy, Part VII.

Beattie's Castles and Abbeys of England, Part VL Abbotsford Edition of the Waverley Novels, Part VII.

PAMPHLETS.

The Expediency of a National Bank ; with Suggestions for the Reform of our Monetary System. By THOMAS DALY, Esq.

Colonial Agency. Addressed to Colonial Landholders residing in Great Britain.

Statistical Illustrations of the Past and Present State of Lancashire, more particularly relating to the Hundred of Salford. Read before the Sta- tistical Section of the British Association, held at Manchester on the 27th June 1842. By HENRY ASnwORTII, of Turton, near Bolton.

A Sermon in Aid of the General National Subscription for the Distressed Manufacturers of England and Scotland ; preached in the Village Church of Chelwood, Somerset, on Sunday the 26th June 1842. By the Reverend RICHARD WARNER, Rector of that Parish.

The Coal-Trade, No. I. Exposure of the Unprincipled Conduct of the Newcastle Coal and Quayside Trade, and their Impositions on the British and Foreign Shipowner. By a Shipowner. Second edition.

Gas Meters : their unfairness demonstrated, and the loss arising to the consumers of gas by their use pointed out. With instructions for prov- ing their deficiency of measure, and directions for keeping a meter ia order. By HENRY FLOWER.

Indecency Assailed, in a Letter to the Right Honourable Lord John Rus- sell. By JOHN Dixolf, Vice-President of the African Institution of Paris.

The Afghan War. Substance of the Speech of the Right Honourable Sir Jo use HORHOUSE, Bart., in the House of Commons, on the 234 June 1842.

The Sixth Report of the New British and Foreign Temperance Society.