PUBLICATIONS RECEIYED

From October 25th to October 31st.

BOOKS.

, Impressions of Ireland and the Irish. By the Author of "Random Re- collections of the Lords and Commons," &c. In two volumes.

A Cycle of Celestial Objects, for the use of Naval, Military, and Private Astronomers. Observed, reduced, and discussed by Captain WILLIAM HENRY SMYTH, R.N., K.S.F., D.C. L., one of the Board of Visiters of the Royal Observatory, &c. In two volumes.

Rambles and Recollections of an Indian Official. By Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. SLEEMAN, of the Bengal Army. In two volumes.

The Gambler's Wife ; a Novel. By the Author of "The Young Prima Donna," &c. In three volumes.

The Attache', or Sam Slick in England. By the Author of" The Clock- maker, or Sayings and Doings of Sam Slick," &c. Second and last se- ries. In two volumes.

The Hbotory of Etruria. Part IL—From the Foundation of Rome to the General Peace, Anne Tarquiniensis 839, B. C. 348. By Mrs. HA- MILTON GRAY.

Narratives of the Merovingian Era, or Scenes of the Sixth Century. The Historical Essays published under the title of "Dix Ans d'Etudes Bisteriques," and an Autobiographical Preface. By M. AUGUSTIN THIERRY, Author of the " History of the Conquest of England by-the Normans." Translated from the last Paris edition.

[This is probably one of the most striking works that have been published in WHITTAKER'S Popular Library of Copyright Editions ; because it ie unique. For the other publications there is no difficulty in finding a substitute, or something like one at least ; but THIERRY'S Narratives of the Merovingian' Era stand alone in the union of narrative and even dramatic art with a sera. pulous reference to the facts of history. A little more artistica display, a little less strict adherence to authority, and AUGUSTIN THIERRY would have been as much of a novelist as FRASER in his historical parts of The Dark Fat- con. With less animation of style and a less skilful arrangement, the Narra- tives of the Merovingian Era, instead of a vivid and lifelike picture of the toes and manners of a barbarous but very curious period, would have run the risk of becoming a dry and uninteresting account of a brutal and ferocious horde, where violence and deceit were mingled together in pretty equal proportions, and from which the reader would turn away with indifference.

Prefixed to the Narratives, is M. Twienitv's intellectual autobiography; and his various miscellaneous papers and reviews are added to complete (with the Norman Conquest of England, already published) the Works of AUGUSTIN THIERRY in this Library edition.]

The Natural Boundaries of Empires ; and a new View of Colonization. By JOHN FINCH, Esq., Corresponding Member of the Literary and His- torical Society of Quebec, &c. [The subject of this book is worthy of a closer and more philosophical exami- nation than Mr. FINCH seems capable of giving to it ; for he is general with- out being comprehensive, and minute yet far from being complete. Bounds- rice in his mind are limited to the mere terminus—river, sea, mountain, desert, forest, or artificial demarkation ; and these things, especially where naturally definite, are worth all the consideration he bestows upon them. But in the large view he takes of the subject, from the first syllable of recorded time, many other questions go to settle the limits of empires—as the soil, climate, national character, social state, and the condition of surrounding countries. Mr. FINCH, in his various effusions, is sometimes compelled to mention facts containing these principles, but often in such a way as to contradict himself. Several other topics connected with the subject of boundaries are also dis- cussed,—as their influence upon the character of governments, and the utility of rivers as a military defence,—in which he confounds their utility as a feature in a defensive plan of operations, with their nature as a position. There is also an essay on a new system of Colonization, in which he argues for the total independence of all settlements, by the example of the ancients; for- getting two things—the difference in the ancient mode of colonization, and the difference in the present condition of the political world. How long does he suppose New Zealand would be left alone by France, or New Brunswick by America, if made independent states?]

Wilson's Description of the New Royal Exchange ; including an Historical Notice of the former Edifices ; and a brief Memoir of Sir Thomas Gresham, Knt., founder of the original Burse, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. With eighteen embellishments. [The Royal Exchange is not the only place where the late opening will cause the grasshopper—the Gresham crest—to flourish ; for Mr. EFFINGHAM SON returns to his old locality, and signifies the opening of his new exchange by a descriptive account of the building, with the Gresham crest on the title- page, like the anchor and dolphin of the Venetian Aunt. The Description of the New Royal Exchange, apart from any consideration of temporary interest, is a creditable compilation ; giving a succinct biography of the founder, a de- scriptive account of the two preceding "'Changes," and the accidents that destroyed them; besides telling the story of the new building, with all its con- comitants of disputes with &tuna RICE about control, sums of money paid for the site, public competition by the architects, foundation by Prince ALBERT, &c. The eighteen illustrations contribute greatly to the utility of the volume, by bringing the old and new forms and fashions at once before the eye. What a difference between Cornhill when GRESHAM first erected his structure and now ; and what a difference of costume between the merchants of the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries! ]

The Convict Ship ; a Narrative of the Results of Scriptural Instruction and Moral Discipline as these appeared on board the Earl Grey, during the Voyage to Tasmania; with brief Notices of individual Prisoners. By COLIN ARROTT BROWNING, M.D., Surgeon, Royal Navy ; Author of " England's Exiles," &c. [Dr. BROWNING was the surgeon of the convict-ship Earl Grey; and this volume contains an account of his praiseworthy endeavours to convert the pri- soners under his charge, with some narratives of his alleged success. The book would have been more useful had it been more direct, and more condensed. Dr. Baowraso too often makes an incident a text on which to preach a ser- mon; and words consequently predominate over facts.]

Lays of the Heart, on various subjects. By W. J. BROCK.

[A collection of verses on religious and miscellaneous subjects, which do not greatly differ from the common run of poetry, unless that, the models of Mr. BROCK being secular, his tone does not always harmonize with the serious form of the strain. Here and there a natural sentiment of the melancholy cast is met with ; but this merit is not sufficiently sustained to give any marked character even to a single poem.]

SERIALS.

A Dictionary of Archaic and Provincial Words, Obsolete Phrases, Pro- verbs, and Ancient Customs, from the fourteenth century. By JAMES ORCHARD HALLIWELL, Esq., F.R.S., Etc. Part I. [This is a useful undertaking. Mr. HALLIWELL'S object is to furnish a manual to the readers of old writers which shall supersede the necessity of a glossary, or, where there happens to be one, supply its omissions. Obsolete and pro- vincial words and phrases, defined and illustrated by examples from rare books or manuscripts, and confined within as moderate a space as possible, are the objects of the author. If the work be carried out as it is begun, it will not only be useful as a book of reference, but curious as a study of customs and language. Many obsolete words rather represent practices than ideas, and their definition involves description. A moment's thought will tell any one that it must be so ; yet the Saxon character of the Dictionary is strongly felt in looking through it. Mr. HALLIWELL intimates that it is not always easy to decide between a word and a corruption, or to settle what individual readers may require ; but he has rather erred by too much than too little. The rule is safe; but perhaps he has pushed it a little too far, by the occasional insertion of obvious corruptions, or what look like mere differences of spelling. The persons who use a dictionary like this are generally capable of forming some conjectural decision for themselves.]

The Life, Voyages, and Exploits of Sir Francis Drake; with numerous Original Letters from him and the Lord High Admiral to the Queen and Great Officers of State. By JOHN BARROW, Esq., F.S.A. (Murray's Home and Colonial Library.)

[This is one of those things which are better than new; for the abridging process will enable Mr. BARROW to strengthen his style and spare his reflec- tions. The spirit of the publisher is also a point in this second edition. It is less than a twelvemonth since this work first appeared in an octavo, at an octavo price ; and here we have it for half-a-crown—about one-fifth the cost of the first edition.] Dialogues on Instinct ; with Analytical View of the Researches on Fossil Osteology. By HENRY Lord BROUGHAM, F.R.S., and Member of the National Institute of France. (Knight's Weekly Volume.) reprint, by permission, of part of Lord BROUGHAM'S Dissertations on Sub- jects of Science connected with Natural Theology. The Dialogues on Instinct are the celebrated discourses between Lords A. (Althorp) and B.]

ILLUSTRATED WORKS.

The Works of Burns ; with Notes and Illustrations. Parts XVI. to XXI. [Taken altogether, this handsome illustrated edition, now brought to a close, is the most complete collection of the Poems and Letters of Rotas; com- prising as it does all the graphic and written memorials of the poet, his friends, and the scenes of his life and song, that could be got together; including Pro- fessor WILSON'S eloquent Essay, and the interesting information, topographical and biographical, collected by Mr. ROBERT CHAMBERS. The last Part con- tains a fine engraving of SEIRVING'S portrait of BURNS; which certainly con- veys a better idea of the man than any other. There is a manly simplicity and frankness in the expression, with a lurking vein of humour; the eye is clear and bright ; the mouth firmly closed ; and the jaw and forehead have a massy character that gives weight to the physiognomy. It strikes you at once as a true likeness.]

ALMANACKS.

Punch's Pocket-Book, for 1845.

["Business first and pleasure after" seems to have been Mr. PUNCH'S motto In planning his useful and facetious Pocket-hook. Part First is devoted en- tirely to the usual information,—such as lists of Public Officers and Members of Parliament, tables of Population and Taxes, Postage arrangements, Ca- lendar, Diary, Cash-account, and a few concise and simple rules for ready reckoning. The irrepressible drollery, however, peeps out even here, in gro- tesque headings of ludicrous character. Part Second consists of pleasantries in prose and verse: the latter have an easy fluency that a sentimental lyrist might envy. The Moral Reflections on Bills" are in Punch's happiest vein, and better than a " wigging" to the unwary. The comic etchings are by LEECH; whose diverting caricature of " Farming for Ladies " forms an attractive frontispiece.] Fulcher's Ladies' Memorandum-Book and Poetical Miscellany, 1845.

[A calendar, a diary, and a ruled cash-account, form the useful part of this pocket-book for the ladies. The literary or entertaining portion consists of original and selected poetry, some of the original pieces pleasing though un- finished; enigmas, charades, &c., the best answers to which secure prizes—in pocket-books; and answers to the puzzles of last year.]

Oliver and Boyd's Threepenny Almanack and Daily Remembrancer, for 184.5.

[There does not appear to be any novel feature in this almanack, except the quantity of matter given for the price, which is always a striking " remem- brancer " whenever the almauack is handled.]

MOW.

The Psalm Tune-Book; containing eighty-two tunes from the Psalter, harmonized for three equal voices. Edited by Jourc HULLAIL