WESTMINSTER REVIEW.
THE new Number of the Westminster is the most various, and on .the whole the most masterly, that we remember in the course of its existence. The literature and the politics are pretty equally intermingled; and the literature is amusing, and not behind the day, while the politics are altogether of it. There is a good notice of Archbishop WHATELY'S excellent Lectures on Political Eco- nomy: the article is one that cannot be read without improve- ment, and the greatest . satisfaction. We wish the writer would review all, or a good portion of ancient .history, in the spirit in which he has done the Catiline Conspiracy. There is an inge- nious paper on Mr. WAKEFIELD'S pamphlet; another on the Peers; and several of solid information on Weights and Measures, Animal Physiology, the Life of TURGOT, and Portuguese Africa. The literary subjects are numerous: among others, the Novel of L. E. L., COOPER'S Bravo, and the Adventures of Ross Cox in, America.
The Number is preceded by an amusing answer, on the part of the Editor, to a portion of his own Review. He announces, by way of advertisement, that he disagrees with one of his writers, whose opinions lie nevertheless prints. The article referred to is a critique on the Tour of a German Prince: it seems the reviewer was instructed not to believe in the authenticity of the work, but " lie only did it the more." This was flat' rebellion ; whereupon. the Editor, instead of striking the passage out of his Review, as any other editor would have done, publishes it, with a" Whereas," and a "Take Notice, good people all, that one of my subalterns has refused to obey orders ; and mind, should he by any accident get the Review into a dreadful scrape, it is no fault of mine, and I beg that I may not be laughed at." This, however, is not the way to avoid ridicule.
Previous page
