6 NOVEMBER 1852, Page 17

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

• Boors.

State Papers, published under the Authority of her Majesty's Commis- sion. Volumes VI. to XI.

History of the American _Revolution. By George Bancroft, Corre- aponding Member of the French Institute, &o. In three volumes. ti olume IL Excursions in Ireland during 1844 and 1850. With a Visit to the late Daniel O'Connell, M.P. By Catherine M. O'Connell. The Einnears ; a Scottish Story. In three volumes. The History of Henry Esmond, Esq., a Colonel in the Service of her Majesty Q. Anne. Written by Himself. In three volumes. A Fortnight in Ireland. By Sir Francis B. Head, Bart.

Post-oftce London Directory, 1853. The Fifty-fourth Annual Publi- cation.

[Keeping pace with the growth of London, the Post-office Directory has grown again, and we suppose must continue to grow ; furnishing in its long aeries a type of that city whose occupants it chronicles—for the moderate duodecimo of last century was probably about as true a representative of London then, as the enormous volume before us is of the present Babylon the Great. We have often noticed the various and well-arranged features of this work, praised its minute accuracy, and pointed out the means which it furnishes of hunting out a denizen of London if the slightest clue be had. One point in the new volume calla for remark ; and that is, the lateness of the time to which the information is brought down. All the changes con- sequent upon the Duke of Wellington's death, and some others to a later date, are included ; even the election of Prince Albert as Master of the Tri- nity House is here.]

A Popular History of British Zoiiphytes, or Corallines. By the Reve- rend D. Landsborough, D.D., &c., Author of "A Popular History of British Sea-weeds," &c. [Another of Messrs. Reeve's little books on natural history, which com- bine instructive entertainment with the style and decoration of a gift- book;,, though they are of more permanent value and utility than any mere gift-book it has they our fortune to meet. The Reverend Dr. Lands- borough's compilation on British Zoophytes not only contains a plain and popular account of those wonderful creatures, but impresses their nature and uses from a wide course of reading, in which, if the copious illustrations of the preacher sometimes produce discursiveness, they give at the same time freshness and variety.] Konachologia : or Handbook of the Natural History of Monks; ar- ranged according to the Linnrean system. By a Naturalist. [A jeu d'esprit, professing to consider the monk as an intermediate animal between man and monkeys, and describing the genus in general and the species in particular with the terms and after the fashion of a naturalist. The general description is forced and ineffective ' - the account of the particu- lar kinds of monks, humorous and informing, illustrated as it is by capital caricature cuts of each species, which convey a very good idea of monkish costumes and character, allowance being made for artistical heightening in the last matter.] The _Elements of Land-Valuation ; with copious Instructions as to -the Qualifications and Duties of Valuators. By John Langtree, Land Agent.

[An Irish publication, put forth in compliance with the necessity of the times, consequent on the changes which famine, emigration, and the aboli- tion of the Corn-laws have made in the demand for land and the value of its produce. The portion of the volume which relates to the actual valuation is brief; a comparatively large space being occupied in discussions on topics connected with Irish land-valuing and its importance, rather than with directions how to value.]

Geographical Projections, to accompany Keith Johnston's Atlases of Physical and General School Geography. [Intended to supersede the "outline maps" by a more durable material and a more effective process. Theseprojections consist of the degrees of latitude and longitude, ten by ten, with dots marking the more prominent points of the regions to be delineated. They are printed on stout black paper, with rough and varnished surfaces, on which the maps can be drawn in chalk, and then sponged out. The projections comprise the World, its four quar- ters, and the British Isles.] Papers for the Schoolmaster. Volume I. 1851. Liturgy and Church History. By Reverend C. H. Bromby, MA., In- cumbent of St. Paul's, and Principal of the Normal College, Chel- tenham.

[These two little _books are both collections of periodical tracts, and ap- parently emanate from the same source. The Papers for the School- master contain' a variety of papers in each number, directly or indirectly bearing upon parochial or popular education. The Liturgy and Church His- tory is the collection of several tracts on the antiquity and independence of the British Church, the English rule of faith compared with the Papal, a sketch of the early history of the Christian Church, and an account of our Prayer-book.] The Pentateuch and its Assailants. A Refutation of the Objections of Modern Scepticism to the Pentateuch. By William T. Hamilton, D.D., Pastor of the Government Street Church, Mobile, Ala. [A defence of the books of Moses against the modern German Rationalists who assail them on critical grounds, and of others who base their attacks on the discoveries of modern science. It is a reprint of an American publica- tion.] The Australian Colonies; their Origin and Present Condition. By William Hughes, F.R.G.S., &c. (Traveller's Library.)

[A compact, well-arranged, and condensed compilation, giving an historical précis and general picture of the Australian Colonies. It is addressed to those who think of emigrating for other purposes as well as gold-digging.]

Older and Wiser; or Steps into Life. A Sequel to "The Amyotts'

Home." By the Author of "The Amyotta' Home," dm.

The titles in the following list for the most part tell their own story. The "Historical Sketches of the Old Painters " is a species of art novel. The "Moral Philosophy of Paley" is a neat edition sent forth by the Messrs. Cham- bers •, the "Political" being omitted, as no longer applicable to the world :

Pain's ain'e additions are not of great extent.

Historical Sketches of the Old Painters. By the Author of "Three Experiments of Living," &c. (Chapman's Library for the People.) Christian Theism. By Charles C. HennelL Second. edition. (Chap- man's Library for the People.) The Moral Philosophy of _Paley : additional Dissertations and Notes. By Alexander Bain, A.M. Waverley "Novel& Library Edition. Volume VII. "Heart of Mid Lothian.

The Common Law Procedure Act (15 and 16 Viet. cap. 76); with Prac- tical Notes, illustrated by Precedents. of Pleadings and Forms of Affi- davits, Notices, &c., framed under the Statute ; with an Introduction, explanatory of the Changes effected in the Practice of the Superior Courts, and containing an Elementary View of the Proceedings in Personal Actions, and in Ejectment. By Robert Malcolm Kerr, Bar- rister-at-law,

NEW PERIODICALS.

The Retrospective Review. No. I. November.

[An able attempt to furnish the more intelligent portion of the reading pub- lic with pictures of the past from its contemporary literature, as well as with an account of old books that possess some quality or other which should re- deem them from, total oblivion. Besides reviews of works actually printed, this periodical is to contain selections from unpublished manuscripts that throw light upon the manners and daily life of past times. The selection of subjects in the current number is judicious, but would hardly be various enough for a continuance. In some way or other, they are all English. A review of Mrs. Behn's•Dmmas gives a glimpse of Charles the Second's days, as a writer hire Mrs.. Behn conceived it. Two travels or al- leged travels of Frenchmen in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries pre- sent a picture, of the English as they appeared to foreigners,—though Boul- laye-le-Gouz got as far as India. Mather and an author of the name of Ebrune are inlisted for the purpose of furnishing sketches of the Planta- tions, now the Unied States, and of giving a view of the social condition at home that prompted to emigration. Bishop Berkeley's " Tar-Water " is also eminently English in its ideas ; and an estimate of the critical value of the first edition of Shakspere is preeminently English. In future numbers, more relief and variety of subject would advantageously be regarded. It might also be well to bear in mind that different books require different treatment. An account with specimens will suffice for a work whose facts are informing and curious; where a display of manners, opinions, or social condition is the object, more thoroughness—more of the grasp, knowledge, and liveliness of the modern article—is desirable.] Synodal& ; a journal of Convocation. No. L November.

[As yet intended only to prepare for the revival of Convocation by articles or extracts touching the history and former management of the Parliament of the Clergy, and by suggestions for the present or future. It is a special pe- riodical—in fact technical.] Public Companies' Monthly Manual : Industrial and Statistical Maga- zine. No. I.

[The principles that govern public companies in theory, and the larger facts or business details which in practice affect those already established, form the principal subjects of this Monthly Manual. An apology is offered for the first number, as being " very far short of what it is intended to be "; cir- cumstances having occurred to "prevent the original arrangements from being carried out."] ILLuirraszen Worms AND Papers.

The Crueifixion. Painted by Hilton ; engraved by Finden. Issued by the Art Union.

[This print is not one of those annually presented to all Art Union sub- scribers in return for their deposit, but belongs to the class described in the regulations as "impressions of fine works engraved expressly for distribution as prizes." The original is an altar-piece, in three compartments; the main action of the crucifixion being represented in the central composition at the moment when the preternatural darkness supervenes • to the left, awestruck soldiers and spectators testify their amazement ; Pharisees depart to the right, cowed into moody silence. The space is replete with figures, and all the chief incidents have been brought together; the group of the Virgin in the foreground, swooning, with St. John, the Magdalene, and the other Mary ; the Centurion behind the cross; and the penitent and impenitent thieves. Conventionality is the fault of the work; it is not intense or searching. It has "good enough" points of action, expression, or arrange- ment: but this "enough" is just not enough to qualify a painter for treat- ing such a subject. However, the artist's name, and the talismanic title " high art," to which the work lays claim, , will impress the subscribers and the public with a conviction that the Art Union is really doing good service to the cause. As an engraving, this posthumous production of Mr. Finden deserves all praise ; displaying as it does his characteristic delicacy, combined with firmness, clearness, and good general effect.] Hannah Bolton's First Drawing-book. A Walk through a House shown by Scenes in the Journey. Part I. The authoress has evidently got hold of some notions, half-independent, half-crotchety; illustrate and enforce which, she has commenced this se- ries of elemetary drawing-copies. In design, the examples themselves have not anything to recommend them in preference to others ; but the act of copying will be facilitated by certain horizontal markings, &c., supplied for the guidance of the eve. The authoress conceives, not unreasonably, that the intelligent study of drawing will also be aided by the same means.]

The Portrait Gallery of _Distinguished Poets, Philosophers, Statesmen,

&c. Part XL

The idea of reissuing this publication of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge was a good one. In each new generation of readers there will be a demand for careful portraits of eminent men, with brief and read- able biographical summaries. This work meets the demand satisfactorily. The present part contains portraits of Pascal, Sydenham, John de Witt, Ro- bert Boyle, Bossuet, Ray, and Sobieski.] _Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington. Drawn and lithographed by G. B. Black.

[A tolerable likeness, but unelevated. The features are sufficiently well- preserved, and there is as much individuality as in several portraits of more pretension ; but the artist, in attempting to convey the character of ad- vanced age, has been in danger of making it of the old-womanish or char- woman kind.]

Contemporaries-1805: Nelson and Wellington.

[These two heads of Nelson at forty-seven and Wellington at thirty-six years of age are taken from the well-known print of the interview between the naval and military heroes, and are here republished in lithography.] A TAI HAMS.

A batch of Almanacks gives token of the waning year. Punch is full of facetioi of the usual kind—hits at passing foibles, and satire upon standing weaknesses or something more. The fun, however, has something of repe- tition in matter and of mannerism in style. The domie is equally "up to" the times, with more of a chameleon-like character in its manner, taking its hue from its subjects; but we have known the humour more apt and spontaneous. The Farmer's contains the usual general and agricultural in-

formation, with a set of advertisements, which show that if the farmers do not work by machinery it is from no lack of machines.

The Comic Almanack. Edited by Robert 13. Brough. Illustrated by

George Cruikshank and H. G. Hine. For 1853.

Punch's Pocket-book, for 1853.

The Farmers' Almanack and Calendar, for 1853.

Oliver and Boyd's Threepenny Almanack, for 1853.

PAzrenisre.

_Reasons for legalizing Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister. By

Lord Denman.

The Apocalypse Popularly Explained. Third thousand, revised. Law Reform : Transfer of Land. By the. Night Honourable * •

• • *

Free Trade : its Moral, Social, Commercial, Agricultural, and Political Results, &o. By F. C.