The current number of the " Edinburgh ;Cabinet Library "
eoromences4n Historical and Descriptive Account of Chinam hich is to be completed in three volumes. A galaxy of respectable names figure on the titlepage as guarantees for the correctness of the information, the careful industry with which it will be collected, and the workmanlike ability with which it will be presented. An excellent map of China enriches the first volume, and the entire work will be illustrated by nearly forty wood-cuts ; so that, when finished, the publication may be considered as useful, complete, and timely.
The contents of the first volume are chiefly historical. It opens with a general view of China. Next follows a coup &cell of ancient and modern Chinese history',—somewhat dull, as it must of ne- cessity be (unless in the hands of a first-rate genius) from the insufficiency of the materials and the remoteness of the manners and circumstances. After this come two rather interesting dis- quisitions, on the knowledge of China which the ancients pos- sessed, and on the communications that were opened with China during the middle ages,—containing a good resu&i of the tra% els of MARCO POLO. The remainder of the book, if not better done, is more attractive, from coming more home to our sympathies and associations : it consists of very able summaries of the intercourse that different European nations have held with the Chinese, from the first discovery of the empire by the Portu- guese down to the latest English and Russian missions.
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