THE REVIEWER'S TABLE.
1. The Athenaid, or Modern Grecians, a 5. Natural History—Lempriere's Lectures, Poem. By Henry J. Bradfield. 2d edition.
The Waverley Novels—Rob Roy, 2 vols. C. Domestic Gardener's Manual. No. 4.
3. Cabinet Cyclopeedia—Geography, Vol.!. 7. Dramatic Magazine, No.11. 4. Compendium of Astronomy. By R. T. S. Adventures of an Irish Gentleman, 3vols. Linn ington. 9. The Literary Blue Book, for 1830.
1. Me. BRADFIELD has been in Greece„ and is thus entitled to write about Modern Greeks. We should be sorry to say anything harsh to the feelings of a worthy man, who fancies himself a poet; bid our duty bids us say that we much prefer his notes on his poem to the poem itself. Mr. BRADFIELD was present at the battle of Athens, and had the honour of escaping in company with General CHURCH and Lord COCHRANE. We honour him for this far more than for a poor imitation of the lighter verses of BYR.ON. 2. The title of Rob Roy; Sir WALTER SCOTT tells us, was suggested to him by the late Mr. CONSTABLE, his intelligent publisher. The pre sent edition is prefaced by a long and interesting memoir of the worthy who figures as the hero of the novel. Many of the anecdotes are new, and all of them receive the grace Of novelty from Sir WALTER'S admirable manner of telling them. Rob's merit dwindles sadly, in the authentic narrative of his exploits—even his valour is rendered more than doubtful. Be seems, indeed, to have been distinguished by little that could raise him above an ordinary pad, except the success that attended his depredations, and enabled him to leave off trade in time to secure for himself a less elevated death than usually awaits those who make more free with their neighbours' goods than the law deems fitting.
3. The first volume of the geographical division of the Cabinet Cyclopadia contains an account of the state of the science of oamong the Hebrews, Greeks, and Hindoos of the ancients ; the discoveries of the Arabians and the Northmen, in the middle ages ; the adventures Of CARPINI, BUBRUQUIS, MARCO POLO, PORTENALT, CLAVIJO, and ends with the voyages of the earlier Portuguese, and of COLUMBUS. The volume is full of interest and information. The travels of IBN BATUTA, from 1324 to 1353, are worthy of particular reference.
4. The best little system of Astronomy that we recollect to have seen, was one published several years ago by the Reverend Dr. MYLNER, of Dollar Institution._ It was drawn up with simplicity and elegance, and with as much scientific detail as was compatible with its popular form and object. We imagine it must have been allowed to go out of print ; we have not met with it in London. We are happy in consequence, to notice so respectable a work as Mr. LINNINGTON'S compendium. The facts it contains are neatly and concisely expressed, and the proofs and illustrations are simple and well chosen. The arrangement is good, and the dictionary of astronomical terms appended to the system seems carefully compiled. The illustrative plates are good in their way. The diagram exhibiting the apparent magnitude of the sun's disk from the different planets is ingenious.
5. The people of the Isle of Wight have a philosophical society which holds its sittings at Newport ; LORD YARBOROUGH is President, and DT..LEMPRIERE is one of the Vice-Presidents, in which capacity he has delivered a course of lectures on the several branches of natural history and science which it is the object of the institution to cultivate. The first edition of a portion of the Doctor's course was published in 1827, and was ushered in by a preface written in the best possible spirit, and with a modesty which contrasts most favourably with the forwardness of pretence that provincial authors so often display. The second edition, now before us, contains two additional lectures on the mammiferous animals. The lectures of Dr. LEMPRIERE do the author much credit, and they reflect credit also on the noble President and on the menibers of the Society whence they emanated. The work has been printed at a country press ; when it arrives at a third edition, Dr. LEMPRIER.E should have it printed in London.
6. We have seen but one number of the Domestic Gardener's Manu,al. The author designates himself a "Horticultural Chemist." One of his discoveries in the course of his chemico-horticultural investigations is that air is formed of water. If it be asked how, "it may be replied—by the separation merely of a certain definite proportion of hydrogen gas." Can any thing be plainer? On the same principle, we suppose, when water is in demand, we have only to join "a certain definite proportion of hydrogen gas" to the air, and we shall have it in a trice. SWIFT tells of a horticultural chemist who extracted sunbeams from cucumbers, but he was nothing compared to our friend of the Manual.
7. The Dramatic Magazine has, it seems, lived through ten whole numbers the eleventh is now before us. It contains a perfect likeness of numbers; in his best character Massaroni ; a copy of a curious old print representing WILLIAM KEMPII, the author of " Nine Dais Wonder," and a figure with a pipe and tabor walking before him ; and another of the titlepage to ARMIN'S "Maids of Moreclacke." The editor is a furious partizan of Covent Garden and Mr. KEMBLE ; and talks of "the contempt, indignation, and disgust felt against,KBAN for his ingratitude" to that gentleman. This is absurd what gratitude does KEAN owe to KEMBLE, more than KEMBLE to KEAN ?
8. The Adventures of an Irish Gentleman, who dines at Offiers chophouse, and scolds Catholics and Spanish priests, is a misnomer. Adventures of an Irish man they may be, for they are very commonplace and very improbable withal ; and the poverty of imagination and of judgment which they display, smack strongly of the penny-a-line school. All things possible, and more, not forgetting that singular novelty the French Revolution—are hauled in head and shoulders to fill up three volumes. The following is a specimen of the " gentleman's" language. "She (a Marchioness) received me with every possible demonstration of delight, and implored me to continue my attendance on her brat." "I now seriously examined the little animal.' "I worked him with a little calomel and scammony." The people whom he meets on his travels are are quite as aligant as himself. He is introduced to the Duke of Orleans (Egalite); who asks if he is an Irishman: "Yes, your Serene Highness," I replied, "I am an Irishman." " Damme! sink the Serene Highness here," quoth Egalite, "I am plain &Orleans." Och murdher ! The "Irish Gentleman" is said, in the puffs, to be a follower of Pelham and so it is, and of Waverley too—for they both went before it. 9. The Literary Blue Book is an improvement of one of the features of the Literary Pocket-Book. It contains lists of authors (with their works), of artists, musical composers, musicians, and other .classes who contribute to the instruction and entertainment of the public. The compiler regrets that he was called late to his task ; but he has, as we have hinted, introduced some decided improvements, and he gives the promise of a more perfect work next year.
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