The lithographic plates by FAIRLAND, after FARRIER, and by TEM-
PLETON, that embellish the New Year's Token, a new Juvenile Annual, are not subjects for criticism. The frontispiece, a view of Virginia Water, is curious, as being the best specimen we have seen of the new art of printing wood-engravings in oil-colours, which Mr. BAXTER IS bringing to a considerable degree of perfection. The effect of atmo- sphere and sun-light in this print is surprising. The flesh of the little urchin with the bird's nest, in the titlepage, is warm and transparent, and the limbs are round and fleshy.
THE COMIC ALMANACK.
a As dull as an old almanack," is a proverb which GEORGE
SHANK will bring into disuse : lie makes the ephemeris no longer ephemeral. Every year does he invent a new Zodiac, whose "signs" are those of" the times ;" which he shadows forth, not by dull and dark hieroglyphics, but by vivid drolleries,—humorous scenes of every- day life and character, which all can understand. It is he that makes the Comic Almanach the Calendar of Momus : for though its compiler,. bight RIGDUM FUNNIDOS, is a more worthy disciple of HOOD than. ever FRANCIS MOORE was of old Nostradgmus—to say nothing of the preference of lively nonsense over solemn humbug—be puns and rhymes away at such a rate that he does not always stop for wit and sense. However, for those who are fastidious, the grave side of his pages forms a complete Calendar, with the customary chronicle of Fastr and Feasts, Birth-days and Death-days, Battles and Executions, and at the end are the usual Lists of Bankers, M. Ps., 8ze. GEORGE CRUICKSHANK'S graphic illustrations of the Months, how- ever, are the chief attraction of the Comic Alnianach. We will give the reader an idea of two or three of them. " April—Greenwich Park "—a string of holyday folks running down the hill, the bottom of which they must reach somehow, for it is plain they can never stop. The chaotic mass of trousers and petticoats in the foreground has not yet lost its impetus. How the old Pensioner smiles, and feels superior, with his wooden leg ! " June—Holyday at the Public Offices "—one that lasts nearly all the year. 'I here are only four newspapers between six or seven clerks, 'tis true ; but one is asleep, and two others are busy laughing at the jokes of a full- blown facetious-looking personage, whose self-importance denotes him to be the head functionary. The easy indolence of one of the newsmongers is inimitably hit off. The despairing and impatient looks of the persons in the outer part of the office make the picture of official diligence complete. " September—Michaelmas Day "—but very early in the morning, or this file of chairs and tables that have found living legs would not be walking off at such a rate, and by moon- light too. This is a capital piece of art; the ludicrous effect is heightened by its truth : the man, wife, and children, are all in motion, and each is loaded with as much as he can carry, but no more. The illustrations of" Boxing Day," " The Dog Days," and " St. Crispin's Day," are almost exhausted by CRUIKSHANK. " Transfer Day at the Bank," with the swell mob in full activity, " Bathing at Brighton," and the " Lord Mayor's Show," are also admirable. The Hiero- glyphic for the year, representing the Lord Mayor carried on a chair by his only two footmen to dine at an ordinary, his canopy an um- brella held by himself, preceded by a placard-bearer staggering under the weight of a cuirass and helmet—the very ghost of a Lord Mayor's show—while the Giants of Guildhall and the state coach are to be sold as lumber, is an augury, in the style of MooaE's predictions, that is calculated to cause indigestion to half the Court of Aldermen.
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