PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

The earlier part of the week was stagnant in publications, but there has been more briskness towards its close. The new books, moreover, possess a living character, and much variety in their subjects, whatever their intrinsic mark and merits may eventually turn out. Mabel Sharman Crawford's "Life in Tuscany," derives an interest from the present posture of affairs, which no general book of Italian tra- vel could possess. The fair writer too has judiciously avoided the well- worn subject of art and antiquities, and addressed herself to manners, society, religion, and the incidents of contemporary life as they could be observed in a ten months' sojourn in the country. The general conclu- sion our author draws from her observations is, that "Tuscany will not remain inert if a struggle for freedom should begin in Northern Italy," "the first cannon shot from the fortress of Milan, will be echoed from the ramparts of Florence." Her description of the state of Italian so- ciety, renders it doubtful how far the Italians are able to conquer liberty for themselves, or to profit by it if given them by others. In another place she says- " It was a melancholy thing to me to hear the strictures paned by Ita- liana upon themselves. Distrust seemed to me to be widely prevalent ; each man appearing to suspect his neighbour of being actuated by merely selfish aims. In Rome and Naples I have heard Italians lament their un- fitness as a nation for free institutions, from the low moral tone existing amongst themselves. Sismo troppo cativi,' (we are too wicked,) for free institutions, said to me a Roman gentleman belonging to the anti-papal party."

Of even a wider and more permanent range of interest is Baron Lie- big's " Letters on Modern Agriculture," for it reaches to the world'a daily bread. The controversy at issue in the book regards the " mineral food " of plants, which the Baron maintains is essential to their produc- tion and should be applied to fields in the manner of manure. Agricul- tural writers and " practical men " hold that Liebig is mistaken ; and that the present plan of cultivation and manuring is all in all sufficient. This the Baron denies, terming the present "the spoliation system," and maintaining that if persisted in, the fertility of England, France, and Germany will eventually be exhausted. The "Original Papers" on the application of the Roman alphabet to the Languages of India, edited by Ex-Professor Monier Williams, treat of an important subject ; for it is nothing less than simplifying the ac- quisition of the Oriental languages, not only to Europeans but natives themselves. The volume, however, in the main refers to the past. It is the story of a discussion, originating a quarter of a century ago in a con- ception of the present Sir Charles l'revelyan, then in the Bengal Civil Service, and carried out by Mr. Thompson the missionary. The propo- sition not only to substitute the Roman for the Oriental characters, but actually to print a book in the proposed mode roused the ire of two great scholars, Prinsep, and Tytler. The contest began with spirit, perhaps fire ; and continued till it has reached its present stage, getting more moderate on the part of the Orientalists, as they lost ground. The num- ber of papers contained in the volume amount to thirty-six in number, but half of them are of the last year or two.

Though not so expressed, Mr. Owen Maddyn's "Chiefs of Parties," is a sort of extension of his "Age of Pitt and Fox," the first (and we believe only) volume of which appeared in 1846. This lapse of time has enabled him to include chiefs of later days, as Peel, Palmerston, Lord John Russell, Disraeli, and some who are not chiefs of parties, as Macaulay. The book seems rather a series of political characters than anything like a history of party ; but it will not be the less popular for that, if the execution is equal to the subject.

Charles Reade's new book, "Love Me Little, Love Me Long," is out this week, and it is seized by readers right and left, as Mr. Mudie pro- bably can testify. On a first glance it appears to be as vivacious. but as strange as any that Reade has yet produced, going even to the length of Sterne in graphical illustrations of moral points in the text.. The moral is obvious enough, but by no means worn to a threadpaper, and it is enforced with considerable power. A postscript to the two volumes contains a curious caution, which is probably not unneeded in these days of undiscriminating readers, to the effect that the characters in the book do not speak the sentiments of the author. The fallacy is common enough, though it amounts to supposing that Walter Scott was a Roundhead and Shakspeare an ass.

Boom.

_We in Tuscany. By /Sable Sharman Crawford. With Illustrations.

.Letters on Modern Agriculture. By Baron Von Liebig. Edited by John Blyth, M.D., Professor of Chemistry Queen's College, Cork.

Original Papers Illustrating the History of the Application of the Roman Alphabet to the Languages of India. Edited by Monier Williams, M.A. of the University of Oxford: late Professor of Sanskrit at the East India Col- lege, Harleybury.

Chief of Parties, Past and Present, with Original Anectio'es. By Daniel, Owen Maddyn, Esq. of the Inner Temple. Author of "The Age of Pitt and Fox," the. Sce. In two volumes.

A Good Time Coming. By the Author of "Mathew Paxton." In three volumes. The Miser Lord : a sequel to "Frank Beresford ; or Life in the Amy," By Captain IL Curling, Author of "The Soldier of Fortune," Etc. Hongkong to Manilla, and the Lakes of Luzon, in the Philippine Isles, in the year 1856. By Henry T. Ellis, R.N.

A Digest of the Vital Statistics of the .European and Native Armies in India ; interspersed with Suggestions for the Eradication and Mitigation of the preventible and avoidable Causes of Sickness and Mortality amongst imported and indigenous Troops. By Joseph Ewart, M.D., Bengal Medical Service.

Personal Narrative of Military Travel and Adventure in Turkey and Persia. By Robert Macdonald, Ex-Sergeant, Rifle Brigade.—The auto- biography of a Scottishman, of good descent but humble fortunes who aimed at bettering his condition by a post in the Excise. Not having patience to wait for official delay, he entered the Company's mercantile marine in 1831, and on his return from China' baying lost his patrons, he enlisted in the Rifles. He purchased his discharge from that gallant corps in 1842, though really invalided, and entitled to a temporary if not a permanent pension. Since then, he has gone through varied fortunes and physical sufferings, from rheumatism contracted in service, and this volume furnishes a graceful opportunity for those who wish to aid an old soldier, and at the same time peruse an account of a military career, which, if not distinguished by many "moving accidents" or "moat disastrous chances," exhibits the reality of a soldier's daily life, when that soldier happens to be a prudent and observing man. The most re- ' markable period of Robert Macdonald's experiences relates to his journey' to Persia, and residence there some twenty years ago, as one of several military instructors, who were to train the Persian army. The insight which the narrative occasionally gives to the feelings of the soldier is the most valuable feature.

The autobiography is followed by "some suggestions for recruiting and improving the Army." The following is the pith of the ex-ser- geant's plan.

By way of giving greater inducement for men to enter the military ser- vice, I would propose—let, To raise the scale of the soldier's pay ; 2d, To abolish flogging entirely in the Army ; 3d, To do away altogether with the commission-purchasing system, or to modify it to such a degree as would

give general satisfaction. • • •

"The scale of pay which I propose is as follows the daily pay of a pri- vate, one shilling and sixpence; corporal,. two allilline ; stnpe-sergeant, three shillings ; colour-sergeant, three shillings and sixpence; sergeant- major and quartermaster-sergeant, four shillings and aixpenoe each ; a re- cruit's bounty, five pounds, with a free kit ; and the pension of a prir.e after twenty-one years' service one shilling and sixpence a d greatest economist in the country, above scale of pay too high. I:hould line, could iiardly coa:aer the "I have had some elperience on the recruiting service, and I must honestly say, that it was Araly in the \aunts of dissipation or inebriation, and among the very lowest dregs of society, that I met with anything like success. I could seldom prevail on even the unefflmated to enlist, when they were sober-living and industriously inclined. But it was not so much their dis- like to the profession of arms, as their sense of the paltry pay of a soldier, that formed the objection to their enlisting. When I spoke to them of the honour attached to those who serve their sovereign and country with the sword, they would laugh and say, We see neither honour nor glory in fighting the battles of a country that only pays a man a shilling a day to be shot at ; and also, if occasion serves, lacerates the flesh from his backbone for the slightest offence.' There was so much truth in those replies that I scarcely had any ground left to stand on the defensive. The educated and talented among the middle and lower classes would often Bay to me., that, if they saw any chance of improving their social standing by promotion, they 'would have no objection to enter the Army, but as there was so little chance of doing this, they preferred trying their luck at some more hopeful line of life than the profession of arms. It is true, that I sometimes happened to pick up a young man or two of talent and education ; but cases of this kind were rare, and it was generally real necessity, caused by improvidence, that rnade them enlist."

Zak A Chapter in Providence. By the Rev. Sohn Cumming, D.D. &c.- &c.—This volume, by the indefatigable preacher of Crown Court, resembles in plan the skeleton of a tale, though substantially it is a series of sermons. The pastoral story of Ruth is narrated and "im- proved." The sin of Flimelech and his wife, Naomi, in quitting their native land during a scarcity, not apparently because they themselves anticipated hunger, but lest they should be called upon to assist others, and the ills, including loss of substance, which finally overtook them, are used to point the moral of steadfastness even in matters of worldly profit ; while other lessons of duty and doctrine are likewise urged. The importance of Boaz, and consequently of his wife, in the link of the Sa- viour's pedigree is dwelt upon, and the series winds up with a discourse on the position and functions, or as the preacher phrases it, the "glory and greatness" of woman. In a rhetorical sense Dr. Cumming has shown more power, on other occasions, but many will prefer the quieter style of these sermons on "Ruth," to his forcible manner. The work, however, would well have borne revision ; for not only is the composi- tion exuberant, but there are frequent repetitions of the same theme. This in the pulpit is tolerable, perhaps necessary ; for the interval of a week may require the views to be recalled ; but that is not the case in the printed page, where sermons follow each other like chapters.

The Oxford Museum. By Henry W. Aeland, M.D., &c., and John Ruskin, M.A.—There is as much significance in the occasion of this little volume, as interest in the book itself. After long delays Oxford has acknowledged the claims of the physical sciences, and devoted 30,0001. to erect the "shell" of a building for their study, which is call- ed "the Museum." The joint volume before us may be said to be de- voted to the inauguration of the building. It contains an opening lec- ture by Dr. &land, descriptive of the origin and progress of the project, as well as of the Museum itself; and two letters from Ruskin on some principles of Gothic architecture and art, with their application to the Oxford structure. These are followed by a letter from Professor Phil- lips, explaining that the variety of marbles in the shafts and of design in their capitals have a purpose, namely, to serve as.geological specimens, of :British marbles and British botany. A list of the donors of statues and shafts, in which are some of the highest in rank and science, begin- ning with the Queen, closes the volume.

274e Meer Lord, a sequel to "Frank Beresford." By Captain H. Cur- ling. Author of "The Soldier of Fortune," &e.—Although Demain, a prominent character of "Frank Beresford," appears 1111 the hero of this story, going through a variety of adventures, misfortunes, and crossings in love, until he finally arrives at a fortune, a title, and it wife, yet there is nothing to prevent 77w Miser Lord being read as a story by itself. In fact but for disposing of the "parties," there would be no occasion for a Story at all. The book is. a series of 'sketches and adventures—military, nautical, and civilian, in the sense of occurring on shore in times of peace, and civilians being the principal actors. Of these the military are by far the best, being the most truthful and lifelike. The others when they re- late to deeds of arms, whether it be baffling a gang of burgarls, or resist- ing a party of Irish peasants attacking a house, have life and motion though not much of distinctive character. The incidents connected with a false claimant of property and title are mere caricature.

Baok-Kseping for the Class-Boom and Counting-House. By John Ma- clean.—As good an explanation of the principles of book-keeeping by double and single entry, illustrated by as clear an exposition of the prac- tice as we remember to have met. The book is designed for oral teaching, and its rules and examples are designed to be enforced by the master and worked out by fuller exercises than could be contained in a volume of this size.

The new editions are only two in number, but both of interest. The late Mr. Bartlett's "Pictures from Sicily,"* is upon the whole the most agreable and informing book of travels upon Sicily, which the general- public can peruse, even if it had only letter-press description but there are wood-cuts and upwards of thirty " pictures " engraved on steel. The veteran Isaac Taylor's "History of the Transmission of An- cient Books to Modern Times," is something more than a reprint. It is "two single gentlemen rolled into one," being the agglomeration of the "Process of Historical Proofs," as well as the History. The works have been recast and revised ; indeed almost rewritten.

Picture. from Sicily. By the Author of "Forty Days in the Desert." History of the Transmission of Ancient .Booke to Modern Times; together with the process of Historical proof; or a concise account of the means by which the genuineness of ancient literature generally, and the authenticity of His- torical works especially are ascertained; including incidental remarks upon the relative strength of the evidence usually adduced in behalf of the Holy Scriptures. By Isaac Taylor. A new edition, revised and enlarged.

New Mao/awe.

London University Magazine. No. 1. New Series.—This first number cOmes forward as in "toga virilis." So far as memory enables us to com- pare it with its precursors, there is about it a more mature tone, and a huger portion of the matter has a direct interest for members being limited to University, subjects. The more original papers consist of a eharacterof Herodotus, in the form of a notice of Rawlinson's new trans- lation and illustrated commentary of the father of history, a half anti- * Spectator, 1852, page 1188.

quarian account of the Yeomanry of England, and a light and slight article on Luncheons. For circulation among the general public the original articles will need greater force and purpose.