PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

Information is the predominant characteristic of the more important publications of the week; though their grade may not be of the highest; and in that point of view may be equalled by the books on the belles lettres. Mr. Allibone's gigantic first volume of the "Dictionary of English and American Authors" is evidently a most laborious and ela- borate work, full of curious "bits," as well as much useful information, whatever shortcomings may be found in the scale and manner of treat- ment, not to mention the inevitable certainty of omissions more or less. The Reverend James White's "History of France" will, without doubt, furnish a desirable survey of the story of our neighbours; for the suffi- cient reason that whatever Mr. Crowe's work, now in progress, may finally become, we have not at present in English a history of that coun- try, whether it be a school abridgment, or a more elaborate narrative, emulating Hume and Robertson. We shall be disappointed, however, if Mr. White's volume does not turn out to be a comprehensive and graphic account of French history, hitting the medium between a mere school- book and those ampler works that are too extensive for the general reader.

Dr. Robinson's treatise "On the Prevention and Treatment of Mental Disorders" appears a valuable and exhaustive contribution to a subject as mysterious as it is important. The question is examined under many aspects—the physiology and pathology of the nervous system ; the forms of mental disorders, and their physical and moral causes; the medical and general treatment of idiots, and the insane or mentally disordered. From what we have read of Mr. Owen Meredith's "Wanderer," we doubt whether it can be considered as realizing the expectations raised by his 'first volume, or exhibiting a sufficient progeny for a gestation of four years. There is less of structure in the subjects. Indeed, properly there is no structure at all, though there may be framework. The "Wanderer S' indicates a tour in France, Italy, Switzerland, Holland, and may be England; the poems falling into each division being little more than occasional, though often treating of scenery or characters peculiar to the country; as a poem (in the very worst of taste) on the text "Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth," &e., is placed in Holland, though it might have been written anywhere. The volume unquestionably exhibits great poetical power and spit* with a style and diction which, though recalling Tennyson, cannot be considered imitative. Time, however, instead of producing condensa- tion, has encouraged a tendency to exuberance of idea, and diffusion of style. The moral error, which we noted in "The Wife's Tragedy,"* appears not exactly in the same form, but in a species of looseness of tone. Of Owen Meredith's powers there is no doubt ; but judging from what we have read of "The Wanderer," there is great doubt whether he will make a full and proper use of them.

George Elliot's three-volumed novel of "Adam Bede" is a story of humble life, where religious conscientiousness is the main characteristic of the hero and heroine, as well as some of the other persons. Its lite- nay feature partakes, we fear, too much of that Northern trait, which by minutely describing things, and delineating individuals as matters of substantive importance in themselves, rather than as subordinate to ge- neral interest, has a tendency to induce a sluggishness of feeling in the reader.

Boons.

A Critical Dictionary of English Literature, and British and American Authors, Living and Deceased, from the Earliest Accounts to the Middle of the Nineteenth Century. Containing thirty thousand Biographies and Literary Notices, with forty Indexes of Subjects. By S. Austin Allibone. History of France from the Earliest Times to 311)CCCALVITI . By the Reverend James White, Author of" The Eighteen Christian Centuries."

On the Prevention and T'reatment of Mental Disorders. By George Robinson, M.D. Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London, fcc., &c.

Adam Bede. By George Eliot, Author of "Scenes of Clerical Life." In three volumes.

The Wanderer. By Owen Meredith, Author of " Clymenestra, the Earl's Return, the Arrest," and other Poems.

The Life of James Deacon Hume, Secretary of the Board of Trade. By Charles Badham, M.A.

The Student's Hunie.—We are no great admirers of the modern fashion, by which some classic work is taken as a "subject" of ana- tomical experiment, and "adapted" to the present times ; that is to say, the adapter leaves out what he pleases, on the averment that it is er- * Spectator for 1855, page 293. roneous, and inserts what he pleases, as the new view; till the re.sult is a "past, vamp'd future, old reviv'd, new piece." Nor do we see any- thing that is to be gained by the process, except that which the age certainly loves so dearly, "saving trouble." There is certainly less to be read, and far less exercise for the mind, than when the student is called upon to compare the representations of two historians, or even of a good commentary. However, if there is to be a tyro's Hume—for it is idle to call it stu- dent's, seeing that its very object is to supersede study, it could not have been in better hands than Mr. Murray's. The abridgment before us seems carefully, as it is certainly well done, though we fancy the dif- ference of styles is often clearly perceptible, and the necessities of space sometimes compel the omission of characteristic traits. The additions are made upon the principle of correcting Hume by the new light—the additional information, doubtless very considerable, which has been ex- humed since his time.

The separate additional matter in the form of Notes and Illustrations, is in a literary sense, the most remarkable feature. Many important subjects—constitutional, legal, or social, are thus treated; and—a very useful plan—the whole authorities of the period are mentioned at its close. Hume, everybody knows, ended his work with the Revolution; the story is here brought down in a summary way to 1858.

The French in Africa. By L. T. Cave, late Captain in H.M. 54th Regiment, &c.—This volume is chiefly memorable for the perfect faith of the author. A few years since he made a tour in Algeria, and was hospitably received by the French officers, and had much kindness shown to him by the Prefect of Algiers. As a return he thought he would write, or rather compile an historical sketch of Algiers from Roman times, in- cluding a geographical survey of the country. This is well enough done; but from the French point of view, not merely because the authorities are of that nation, but because Captain Cave undertook his task with the view of putting the British public right "respecting the cause and pro- gress of the French Conquest in Algeria." It is, however, only a com- pilation; not deriving much from the comments of the compiler or the artistical efforts of the narrator.

Our Brothers and Cousins ; a Summer Tour in Canada and the States. By John Macgregor, M.A., of the Inner Temple.—This volume has the form of a juvenile book ; but it contains the observations of a man who ran rapidly though apart of the British North American Provinces, and the Western region of the States, for some purpose connected with Evan- gelical Protestantism; at least his work consisted in distributing tracts, attending religious meetings, and generally "improving opportunities." Mr. Macgregor's vocation brings him into connection with persons whom common tourists rarely meet, and gives a species of freshness to his ob- servations; though he has little that is peculiarly new, and from his rapid progress ho sees things superficially. The tour appears to have been published chapter by chapter in the Record newspaper.

Union, a Story for a Sunday Afternoon. By the author of "Willie's Rest," &c.—The tale of a little girl, whose goodness of nature, aided by the instructions of a pious aunt, and the example of a clergyman, and his blind son, becomes quite a paragon. She gains the affection of her mother-in-law, who at first is cool ; reforms her two half-brothers; saves the life of a little baby-brother by nursing him at the risk of her own ; aids the family when misfortunes overtake her father; and is able to restore them to competency through the means of a legacy. There is something extreme in this great goodness and its results. It were to be wished that didactio writers would proceed a little more upon the prin- ciple they will find fully exemplified in actual life, that "virtue is its own reward" ; and not always close with some worldly success : though this might not be popular. The character of wlfrtica" is charmingly conceived and the story pleasantly told. '

Extracts from the Works of Jean Taal F. Richter. Selected and Translated by Georgiana Lady Chatterton, Author of " B.ambles in Ire- land," &c. &c.—A few tales, with extracts of the nature of what used to be called "beauties," from the contents of this little book. The trans- lation is elegant, but perhaps some of the passages are not the best speci- mens that might be chosen of Jean Paul.

Spray.—Occasional poems, distinguished by elegance of style, serious feeling, and a scholarly air. For the most part, they want subject, the themes being generally of a common kind ; and their treatment is neither broad nor thorough. When the end is reached the question of cui bono rises up; the reader should have learned some lesson, or acquired some truth, whereas often he has only read some pleasing verses.

Burns.—One of the competitive prize poems that received honourable mention. There is a freshness in the opening, and Wyndham Kent sticks closer to the text than Isa Craig; but this closeness becomes in the end little more than enumeration of the leading productions of Burns. The publication does not go to impugn the judgment of the judges.

Ekments of Geometry and Mensuration, with easy exercises. Part III. Geometry combined with Arithmetic. (Mensuration.) By Thomas Lund, B.D., &c. &c.—The object of this third part of Mr. Lund's Ele- ments is to raise the school mode of teaching mensuration, and at the same time render the acquisition more practical, by basing it upon prin- ciples; so that the pupil should not only know the why and wherefore, but be able to demonstrate them. The rules, or in this ease the exposi- tions of the law, are followed by exercises, and an account is given of measuring instruments, including some of the newest. The little book combines theory and practice in a high degree.

A .Dictionary of Daily Wants. In three volumes. Volume 1.—A col- lection into a volume of numbers that have appeared periodically. The title is rather a misnomer. We do not know that an "action in law," or bronchitis, or other disease, can be called a daily want ; though in- formation .upon such subjects may be desirable. The book is in reality a species of encyclopedic popular compendium.

The volumes in the following list are an addition to the many stand- ard works with which Mr. Bohn has furnished the book-shelves of the stinted student, or the person of moderate means. In his various li- braries there is cheapness of the best sort—namely, literature of the highest Lind in its respective class, and a sufficiency in the typographi- cal part ; not trashy or mischievous letterpress with befitting "getting up."

The edition of Evelyn's Diary and Correspondence is the same as that published in four volumes by the late Mr. Colburn in 1850. The text of the present Diary is still more exact, from more perfect revision, and collation with the original manuscripts ; and the foot-notes are trans- ferred to the bottom of the page. The illustrations to these two volumes are twenty-five in number, seventeen of which consist of portraits after Vandy.ke, Kneller, and others.

Thierry's very important work, the History of the formation and progress of the Tiers Etat, from the first glimmerings of the French as a nation— less the nobility and clergy, to the reign of Louis the Fourteenth, seems no more than a reprint of the translation by the Reverend Francis Wells, published four years ago.* The two volumes are now included in one, and are published at a price which places the book within the reach of most people likely to want it.

Dr. Carpenter's "Animal Physiology," like his other scientific works, seems to be in perpetual demand. This edition has been enlarged by about one-fifth of new matter, the greater portion of which relates to the elementary tissues of the animal body, and the principal phenomena of reproduction and development throughout the animal kingdom.

Diary and Correspondence of John Evelyn, F.R.S. To which is subjoined the Private Correspondence between King Charles 1. and Sir Edward Nicholas. and between Sir Edward Hyde, afterwards Earl of Clarendon, and Sir Richard Browne. Edited, from the Original MSS. at Wotton, by William Bray, Esq., F.A.S. A new edition, in four volumes.

The Formation and Progress of the Tiers Etat or Third Estate in France. By Augustin Thierry, Author of " History of the Norman Conquest," &c. &c. Translated from the French, by the Reverend Francis B. Wells, Rector of Woodchnrch, Kent. Two volumes in one. (Bohn's Standard Library.) Animal Physiology. By William B. Carpenter, M.D., F.R.S., &c., Registrar of the University of London. New edition thoroughly revised and partly re- written. (Bohn's Scientific Libiary.)

Four of the following are of the nature of Annuals. Dod's "Peerage, Baronetage, and Knightage," has been pretty well rewritten owing to deaths, promotions, and new honours, mostly originating in the Indian mutiny. Upwards of a hundred names of -"big wigs," stand out pro- minent among what the author, in the style of Lord Derby's Queen Speech, calls, "some of the more important novelties." Amid the dis- tribution of these honours, we are glad to see that the chronicler of so many has not been altogether overlooked : he has become "Captain Dod of the 54th Shropshire Regiment of Militia." The main feature of Dod's "Parliamentary Companion" is that all the Election Statistics are derived from the latest returns, the politics of peers are expressed in words, not signs, and this statement of the principles is supported by the ipsissima verba of the member ; but what do words avail with politicians ? Mr. Mitchell's " Newspaper Press Directory" latch well known ferns to say more than that it embraces every information connected with the press of the United Kingdom, even down to half-penny papers ; though we are concerned to add that the death of its able and active originator has taken place this week. Mr. Timb's Year Book of Facts is equally well known with the Directory, and from the nature and variety of the subjects it contains is to many of more interest and importance. The "Parent's Cabinet" is as old as the days of Miss Edgeworth. ,

The Peerage, Baronetage, and Ehightage of Great Britain and Ireland for 1859, including all the Titled Classes. Nineteenth Year. By Robert P. Dod, Esq. Captain 54th Shropshire Regiment of Militia, Associate of King's College, London. Author of "The Parliamentary, Companion," Stc.

The Parliamentary Companion for 1859. Tweventy-seventh Year. By Robert P. Dod, Esq. Captain 54th Shropshire Regiment of Militia, Be. Author of the "Peerage, Baronetage, and Knightage., The Newspaper Press Directory and Advertiser's Guide. By Charles Mitchell. T.horouglily Revised for the year 1859.

The Year-Book of Facts in Science and Art. Exhibiting the most important Discoveries and Improvements of the past year ; in Mechanics and the

Useful Arts, Natural Philosophy, Electricity, Chemistry,- , and Botany, Geology, and Mineralogy, Meteorology and Astronomy. By John Timbs, F.S.A. Author of Curiosities of Science.

The Parents' Cabinet of Amusement and Instruction. A ne* edition.

NEW Mar.

L 'Europe en 1860.—Who would have suspected a mathematician or geographer of a costly joke, or even of rivalry with "Francis Moore, Astrologer and Physician ? " Yet such is the case with this new map, sent forth by Mr. Sandford, as principal or agent. It is a prophetic ex- hibition of what Europe, with a part of Asia, will be "en 1860," but without the usual D. V.; though as its "trade-mark" is the cross with the motto "In hoc signo vinees," it would seem to have a religious ori- gin. As kings are mortal, it may be a comfort for them to know that they will all be alive a year or so hence : many of the principal sove- reigns with large additions to their territory. Queen Victoria will have acquired Cyprus and the course of the Euphrates, the last convenient as a route to India. The Emperor of Russia will have laid hold of Gal- licia ; the King of Prussia of Hanover, Mecklenburg, and various other places ; the King of Hanover will have gone to Constantinople vice the sublime Porte. In fact, with one exception, there is not a Christian potentate of any consequence who will not get something worth having. That exception is "Napoleon Ill., Empereur des Francais." He, un- fortunate man, "conserve ses limites actuelles." The Sultan has to budge without recompense : "cede toutes sea possessions d'Europe et tontes celles des cotes de la Mediterranee : le croissant retourne en Ask- Mineure, apres trois siecles d'usurpation et de honte pour la chretiente." The map in which this redistribution is displayed by means of tint— Cyprus, for exampls, being the colour of the British Isles, is large, hand- some, and distinct by choice of letters and careful execution. Can there be any object (wild as it may be) in this ? Does it belong to those " voces ambiguas" which fly about in anticipation of changes ? Or is it a simple illustration of the manner in which money and a class of owners are said to be soon parted ?