2 DECEMBER 1848, Page 18

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

Boons.

The Keepsake, 1849. Edited by the Countess of Blessington. With beautifully finished Engravings, from Drawings by the first Artists, en- graved under the superintendence of Mr. Charles Heath.

The Book. of Beauty; or Regal Gallery, 1849. With beautifully finished Engravings from Drawings by the first Artists. Edited by the Countess of Blessington. - The History of England_ ftom the Accession of James IL By Thomas Babington Macaulay. Volumes I. and II.

The Cities and Cemeteries of Etruria. By George Dennis. In two vo- lumes.

Scenes and Thoughts in Foreign Lands. By Charles Terry.

The Dream of the Soul, and other Poems. By Alfred Bate Richards, Esq., Author of "Cromwell, a Drama," &c.

. A Practical Treatise on the Domestic Management and most Important Diseases of Advanced Life. With an Appendix, containing a series of Cases illustrative of a new and successful mode of treating Lumbago and other forms of Chronic Rheumatism, Sciatica, and other Neuralgic Affec- tions, and certain forms of Paralysis. By George E. Day, M.D.,F.RC.P., and Physician to the Western General Dispensary.

The Duty of the Church in Times of Trial: a Charge to the Clergy of the Archdeaconry of Lewes, delivered at the Ordinary Visitation in 1848; with Notes, especially on the Controversy touching the Management of Schools, and on the Jewish Question. By Julius Charles Hare, M.A.

The Rise, Progress, and Present Structure of the English Language. By the Reverend Matthew Harrison, A.M., Rector of Church Oakley, Rants, &c.

Episodes of Insect Life. By Acheta Domestics, M.E.S.

[A very handsome volume, handsomely illustrated. The insects are not only graphically exhibited, and endowed with life and action, but frequently embodied

a sort of imitation of humanity, and shown in allegorical combination. The very cover, with he pale green and gold, and its ornamental "tooling" composed from butterflies, plants, &c., has the delicate beauty of insect life. The literature is hardly equal to the mechanics. The object is to call attention to the pleasures and wonders of entomology, to dissipate the feeling entertained by many against insects, by introducing them to a knowledge of that singular and easily studied part of creation. With this purpose, the more attractive features of the subject, 1II the author's opinion, are selected; but perhaps not withgreat judgment, since a sufficient amount of scientific information is desirable in the most popular trea- tise. The manner, however, is the really objectionable part. there is much too Intichatf ttanting—au in -*mingling of idle stories or digressions with the natural history, and a frequent obtrusion of the personality of the writer, who =found/ levity with lightness.] Rare and Remarkable Animals of Scotland, Represented from Living Subjects; with Practical Observations on their Nature. By Sir John Graham Dalyell, Baronet. Volume IL; containing fifty-six coloured Plates.

[This handsome quarto, with its numerous illustrative plates, finishes Sir John graham Dalyell's laborious and conscientious contribution to the natnral history of Zoophytes; forming the most complete work that has ever appeared upon these water-plant animals. The length at which we noticed the first volume, on its publication in the autumn of 1847, renders it unnecessary to do more than chro- nicle the appearance of the sequel—a continuation of the descriptive accounts of the different classes. In a summary or compendium, Sir John gathers together the characteristics of the race he has so perseveringly studied, and arrives at the large conclusion that animated nature is the result of a creative power.]

The Bothie of Toper- na-Fuosich; a Long Vacation Pastoral. By Arthur Hugh Clough. [Along story of some Oxford students, who went to the Highlands of Scotland to combine relaxation and study; but one of them falls in love with a Scotch lassie, whom he finally marries. As a tale, the piece has little interest; and the school- like incidents and persons by which it is sought to be varied are of an unat- tractive kind, intended to be natural, but only triviaL In prose, such a story, treated in such a way, would scarcely have been ventured upon; and it seems difficult to understand why plain prose should be thought the better for being turned into prosaic verse. At first view The Bothie of Toper-na-Fuosich looked like some Oxford satire; bat if it does cover any occult meaning, it is confined to the initiated.] Pinacothecte Historicat Specimen. Auctore F. K., A.M. aeries of historical "characters" in the form of Latin epitaphs. They are Ingenious in conception, scholastic in style, and generally just in judgment. Per- haps the novelty of a dead language gives seeming novelty to the ideas, but some- times it-leads to questionable expressions. Sbakapere is described as filling the mind " falsis terroribus"; but fiction is not falsehood, and we suspect " falsus " has no other sense than what is derived from deception or delusion.] Paris; its Historical Buildings and its Revolutions. With Illustrations. New edition. Revised and continued to the Present Time.

[The account of the Revolution of Paris in 1848 is the best we have read of the many narratives that have been published on that popular subject. It is closer, more complete, and impresses the causes of the catastrophe more clearly; while the introduction conveys an idea of the power and numbers of the Republicans, by briefly bringing together the insurrections or disturbances that have taken place since 1830. It is a well-timed book; for the previous part enables the reader to get beyond the ignorant present, and see what Paris has always been.]

Three Months in Power; a History and Vindication of My Political Con- duct during the late Revolution in France. By Alphonse de Lainartine, late Minister of Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, &c. Translated by H. J. Hyde. [De Lamartine's letter to his constituents defending himself from the charges brought against him, followed by his speeches made to the various deputations during the reign of the Provisional Government and in the National Assembly, with his more important official papers while Minister of Foreign Affairs. It is a useful collection; but Three Months in Power hardly suggests an exact idea of the book.] Rudimentary Architecture, for the use of Beginners. The Orders, and their isthetic Principles. By W. H. Leeds, Esq. [An exposition of the elements and orders of classical architecture; which Mr. Leeds, after the modern fashion, reduces to three, including the Tuscan under the Doric, the Composite under the Corinthian. Rudimentary Architecture is an able and instructive essay; possessing the reader with clear ideas of the parts and characteristics of the orders, and tending to form a general taste for archi- tecture as an art, opposed to building as a special technical pursuit.] Elocution; or Mental and Vocal Philosophy: involving the Principles of Reading and Speaking, and designed for the development and cultivation of both Body and Mink in accordance with theNature, Uses, and Destiny of Man. Illustrated with engravings, &c. By C. P. Bronson, A.M., M.D.

[This is an American publication; and the sale of twenty-three editions argues that it is adapted to the tastes or necessities of the folk across the Atlantic,. We have not much faith in the utility of guides to elocation, with their rising and falling "inflections" of voice, their incessant Italics to mark expression or intona- tion, which no precept can declare, and their almost as incessant directions for gesture. The recital of " My name is Norval," or any other piece, by a trained pupil of this kind, is to us the most deplorable exhibition in art. Dr. Bronson seems rather to add to the artifice, stiffness, and trivial details of such books, than improve upon them. If of a long standing in the country, such a book helps to explain the unpleasant character of American elocution.] Post-office London Directory, 1849. [This gigantic volume of business and residential information has now completed its half century, or year of jubilee-' and is, we suppose, unrivalled in the variety, utility, and precision of its facts. Upwards of two thousand pages in double and treble columns are here presented, touching the names, callings, and abodes of people in business, or out of it, classified in every way to facilitate reference, be- sides particular information concerning public offices, official men, conveyances, bankers, and the Post-office.] The History of India. The Hindu and Mahometan Periods. By the Honourable Mountstuart Elphinstone. Third edition. [A new edition of Mr. Elphinstone's Hindoo and Mahometan History of India contained in a handsome volume, not in double-columns. Sufficient time has elapsed for a portion of the history and influences or the European connexion with Hindostan to appear: or has the author abandoned his intention of writing that section, since his present work is complete in itself?] Woman, the Help Meet for Man. By Adolphe Monod, Professor of Theo- logy of Montauban. From the French, by Elizabeth Maria Lloyd. [A translation of two sermons preached to a Protestant coneregation in Paris during last February, on the character, duties, and mission of Woman. The dis- courses are able, and in the animated style of the French preachers; but they are not very remarkable in a literary point of view. Their more special observations are directed to Continental rather than English manners.]

The Confessions of an Elderly Lady and of an Elderly Gentleman. By the Countess of Blesaiogton. (Parlour Library.)

[Two of Lady Blessington's fashionable tales in a pocket volume, at sixpence A - piece. History Philosophically Illustrated, from the Fall of the Roman Empire to the French Revolution. By George Miller, D.D., M R.LA , &c. Third edi- tion, revised by the Author. In four volumes. Volume I. The History of Germany, from the Earliest Period to the Present Time. By Wolfgang Menzel. translated from the fourth German edition, by Mrs. George Horrocks. In three volumes. Volume II. The Standard Library Cycloposdia of Political, Constitutional, Statistical, and Forensic Knowledge, &e. In four volumes. Volume Ill. Three of Mr. Bohn's cheap and well-chosen publications. Dr. Miller's revised on History is especially worthy of attention, from the nature of its sub- ject. A popular review of European history is wanted] Chemistry as Exemplifying the Wisdom and Beneficence of God. By George Fownes, F.R S., Professor of Practical Chemistry in University College, London. Second edition.

SERIALS.

Historical Essays. By Lord Mahon. Contributed to the Quarterly Re- view. In two parts. (Murray'a Home and Colonial Library.) [The reader who has already read in the Quarterly Review the agreeable articles of Lord Mahon on Joan of Arc, Mary Queen of Scots, Monfro-e, Frederick the Second, and Pitt's Irish Correspondence with the Duke of Rutland, may here re- new his acquaintance in a more convenient form; while tho,e who have yet to make it have an instructive entertainment to come.] The Czar, his Court and People: including a Tour in Norway and Sweden. By John S. Maxwell. (Bentley's Cabinet Library.)

[Apparently the reprint of an American publication.]

ALMANACILS.

British Almanack and Companion, for 1849. [The Almanack of this well-known Annual embraces the usual variety of business information on commerce, education, law, postal arrangements, official personages, stamps, insurance, and what not. The second part of the Companion exhibits in like manner its wonted mass of historical, statistical, legislative, and Parliamentary facts. The first part strikes us as displaying an improvement: there is more number, variety, and direct applicability to passing events in the papers. Besides the usual reviews of railways and public improvements, there are well-digested and suggestive papers on the Farm Produce of Ireland, the Cholera, the Variola Ovis, Colonization, and the Progress of the Nation in population and industrial wealth. There are besides three more general essaya; one on the Progress of Organic Chemistry, some excellent supplementary remarks on Euclid, by Pro- fessor de Morgan, and a descriptive account of the Ordnance Surveys, furnishing a connected view of their whole story.] The Literary and Scientific Register and Almanack, for 1849. By J. W. G. Gutch, M.R.C.S.L., F.L.S., &c.

[This capital pocket-book sustains its character of combining the scientific and the useful; uniting information necessary to the man of business, with facts and the sum 91 deductions of facts, that wear a professional or learned aspect, though often as available in business, when a person knows how to use them.]