PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

The holiday week has not produced very much difference in the num- ber of books ; but their character is singular. A batch of novels indeed, are appropriate enough to the time, and Mr. Hayward's collected Essays will afford amusement at any time by the author's cheerful, lively, al- most gossipy style, and his extraordinary turn for anecdote. The gene- ral spirit of the books is of a grave or solid cast, however widely they may differ in subject. The "Domestic Annals of Scotland," two goodly volumes by Mr. Ro- bert Chambers, are devoted to a real though homely picture of Scottish life and manners from the reign of Mary, 1561, to the Revolution of 1688. The matter is drawn from contemporary records, given as much as may be in their words, and will no doubt furnish much of quaint en- tertainment, as well as a large fund of information ; but the solid will assuredly predominate over the slight, and laughter we guess will rather exhibit himself quietly chuckling than "holding both his sides." Of a different character, but of an equally solid class, is the "Observations in Meteorology" of the Reverend Leonard Jenyns. The book is a large collection of facts relating to atmospheric changes, especially as to the temperature and the wind, the strength and direction of currents of air. The observations were primarily instituted by the author to make him- self and the world weatherwise ; but we shall be disappointed if his facts and remarks do not extend to more informing topics than that proverb- ially uncertain accomplishment. The subject of the pretty little volume . entitled "Blighted Pasque-Flowers," is grave and sad enough ; the suf- ferings and death of sempstresses from confinement and overwork. From the few pieces we have read, it seems possible that an amiable sentiment may take a rather one-sided view of the question, but the poems, espe- cially the tales, are distinguished by feeling, fancy, and freshness.

BOOKS.

Domestic Annals of Scotland, from the Reformation to the Revolution. By Robert Chambers, F.R.S.E., 8m. In two volumes.

Observations in Meteorology : relating to Temperature, the Winds, Atmospheric Pressure, the Aqueous Phenomena of the Atmosphere, Weather Changes, he. By the Reverend Leonard Jenyns, M.A., F.L.S., 8m., late Vicar of Swaffham Bulbeck.

Biographical and Critical Essays. Reprinted from Reviews, with Additions and Corrections. By A. Hayward, Esq., Q.C. In two volumes.

A Lover's Quarrel : or the County Ball. By the Author of" Cousin Godfrey." In three volumes.

The Two Brothers. By the Author of "The Discipline of Life," he. In three volumes.

Gerald Fitzgerald. A Novel. By George Herbert. In three volumes. The Red Rose; a Legend of St. Alban's Abbey.

Blighted Pantie-Flowers ; a Plea for the Workroom. By C. S. and M. E. S. An Easter Offering.

Wanderings in the Land of Ham. By a Daughter of Japhet.

For extensive research occasionally passing into over-zealous groping— for a patient persistence that nothing can divert or tire—for an un- rivalled aptitude in collecting particulars, without always subjecting them to too close a scrutiny as regards authenticity or value—Mr. Payne Col- lier is without a rival. And these qualities animated by an earnest love and reverence for Shakespeare, as well as guided by a life-long experience of his subject, will be found in his new library edition & "Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, Tragedies, and Poems. The history of the Eng- lish stage and of English dramatic literature stands pretty much as it did ; but "some points have been further illustrated, and a few corrections have been introduced." The life of the poet remains substantially the same in plan, but facts and critical opinions relating to Shakespeare's family, life, and name, unearthed by the industry of Mr. Collier, have been incorporated with the original biography. Much illustrative matter of various kinds has also been added.

The great feature of this edition is the text. This is influenced if it cannot be called based on Mr. Collier's somewhat notorious annotated folio of 1632 "in a handwriting not later than the date of the Resto- ration." If Mr. Collier, when he first announced his discovery of these manuscript corrections and emendations, had adopted his present tone and line of reasoning, he would have escaped much of the obloquy of which he complaina. It was obvious that a volume of manuscript notes whose history could not be traced, whose writer was utterly unknown, and whose very period was only inferred from the style of handwriting, could have no authority. That the writer was in some way.connected with the stage, most probably as manager or prompter, was extremely likely—his insertions and directions strongly partook of what the players call" stage business" ; but there was no proof of the annotator's calling. That the corrector or correctors—we believe there is some doubt as to there being only one handwriting, had a turn for critical emendation is beyond all question, and some authoritative sources of actors' memory or playhouse manuscripts might have been open to him. But of evidence to this effect there was not a particle. The discovery was curious, the annotations useful, even valuable as suggestions or aids ; but of no more authority than Mr. Collier himself : that is the emendations of the folio must be received or rejected on their internal evidence. To claim for them not indeed in terms but by implication, the same weight as a newly-discovered edition or authentic contemporary: manuscript, was certain to excite the hostility of rivals—and the jealousy of verbal critics is proverbial, as well as the opposition of less biassed persons, who may think that the text of a great poet is not to be tampered with on ark. trary grounds. However, this is all changed in practice. .Mr. Collier may insert corrections in the text which other editors would present as a foot-note "reading" or form a different opinion on their value ; but be- yond things of this kind there could be no great difference between him- self and others. And we think all the editors of Shakespeare since Mr. Collier's publication of 1853 have made some use of it, though one or two have concealed their obligations or covered them by attacks upon him. A little too much of the soreness of editorial feeling is visible in the preface, the greater portion of which indeed is devoted to complaints against Mr. Singer and Mr. Dyce. The publisher should not go without his share of commendation. The six volumes form a handsome library series, with a type not at all trying to the eyes. In happy time comes the third edition of a book that has been some- what neglected, the "Personal Narrative of the Siege of Lucknow" by Mr. Rees, with some personal remarks omitted, and a supply of an al- leged omission—the praise of the courage, patience, and uncomplaining conduct of the ladies.

Besides Mr. Collier's magnum opus in the way of reprint, and the De- fence of Lueknow, Mr. Bell has brought out a new edition of his "Way. side Pictures," and added to them a series of sketches, "Up the Rhine," now printed for the first time. Mr. Bohn has commenced a new edition of Rose's translation of Orlando Furies° to be completed in two vo- lumes, to which Mr. Townsend has prefixed a brief biographical notice. Mr. Mackay's letters on the "Management of Landed Property in the Highlands of Scotland" are reprinted from the Inverness Courier, and may be advantageously read for their plain and practical character. Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, Tragedies, and Poems. Edited by J. Payne Collier, Esq., F.S.A. The second edition. In six volumes.

A Personal Narratire of the Siege of Luchume, from its Commencement to its Relief by Sir Colin Campbell. By L. Runtz Rees, one of the surviving De- fenders. With a Plan of Lucknow and the Residency, and a Portrait of Sir Henry Lawrence. Third edition. Wayside Pictures through France, Holland, Belgium, and up the Rhine. By Robert Bell, Author of "The Life of Canning."

The Orlando Furioso. Translated into English Verse, from the Italian of In- dovico Ariosto, with Notes by William Stewart Rose. New edition. Illus- trated with Engravings on steel. In two olumes. Volume I. (13oha's Illustrated Library.) On the Management of Landed Property in the Highlands of Scotland. By George G. Mackay, C.E., Land-Surveyor and Land-Agent, Inverness.

The Ltfe and Times of Dante. By 11. De Vericour, Professor of Mo- dern Languages and Literature in the Queen's University, Ireland, &c.— Books on the life and times of Dante in some form are numerous enough. The justification of the present volume is that Professor De Vericour has not only studied the published documents which modern research has brought to light respecting Dante and his age, but during a residence in Italy has consulted some unpublished records as well as listened "to the traditions of the people, and examined on the monuments, in the cities, as well as the rural scenes, the traits of national character immortalized by the poet." These advantages are shown to greater effect in the mat- ter thau the manner. The times interfere too much with the life, his- tory predominating over biography or at least interrupting it.

Fosteriana ; consisting of Thoughts, Reflections, and Criticisms of John Foster Author of "Essays on Decision of Character," &c. Selected and Edited by Henry G. Bohn.—A "high appreciation of the writings of John Foster," has induced Mr. Bohn to undertake a complete edition of his works, and he has himself made this selection from Foster's =col- lected periodical papers to form part of the series. Drawn mostly, if not altogether, from reviews on books, very often of a merely temporary in- terest, the selections have necessarily a curt and fragmentary character, which the solidity and good sense of the writer does not altogether re- lieve. The most remarkable feature in the volume is the manner in which the reader has passed before him the literature of the last genera- tion, and how subjects as Hindoo conversions, Indian mutinies, and the East India Company, drop and revive again.

Dahill Terentii Afri Andria, from the Texts of Bentley and Vollbehr. By Newenham Travers, B.A., &c.—A neat edition of the " Audria," with copious explanatory and critical English notes, and a variety of elueidatory matter intended to facilitate' a thorough study of the play. '

011endorfrs New and Easy Method of Learning the German Language. Translated by Henry W. Duleken.—The points of this volume are, that the translation is made without abridgment, published at a moderate price, and that free, running-hand copies are used for the writing exer- cises instead of the more stiff and formal style hitherto adopted.