18 MAY 1844, Page 17

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

From May loth to May 1Gth.

BooKs.

Callus; or Roman Scenes of the Time of Augustus; with Notes and Ex- cursus illustrative of the Manners and Customs of the Romans. Trans. lated from the German of Professor BECKER, by FREDERICK MET- CALFE, EA., late Scholar of St. John's College, Cambridge.

Geology ; a Poem, in Seven Books. By the Reverend JOHN SELBY WAT- SON, B.A.

Fire Lectures on Political Economy, delivered before the University of Dublin in Michaelmas Term 1843. By JAMES ANTHONY LAWSON, LL.B., Whately Professor of Political Economy.

.Blair's Chronological and Historical Tables, from the Creation to the present time; with Additions and Corrections from the most authentic writers, including the Computation of St. Paul, as connecting the period from the Exude to the Temple. [Dr. BLAIR'S storehouse of dates and facts has been enlarged by a friend of Sir HENRY ELLIS ; that gentleman undertaking their superintendence through

the press, and assuming the responsibility of their accuracy, so far as such an

immense mass of facts can be guaranteed. The fashion of the age, and the state of bibliopolic art for many years after the appearance of BLAIR'S folio,

rendered his work less useful than it deserved to be, simply from the clumsiness of its form. The plates of this improved and corrected edition have been en- graved in a style corresponding with the neater elegance of the day ; and the

elaborate work now forms a volume about the size of the Penny 2llagazine, got up in a style that renders it admissible upon the table of the most elegant boudoir, capable of being readily used by the most delicate fingers, and available, as the old adveitisements expressed it, to "persons of the meanest capacity."

The subordinate divisions are several, according to the predominant charac- teristics of the historical period—as Jewish, Greek, Roman, the Middle Ages ; but, for purposes of literary description, there are two grand chronological di- visions, of which the year 800 before Christ is the point of separation. Up to this period the paucity of known events limits the record to occasional dates ; from 800 before Christ every year is successively noted, with subordinate

columns of chronology, where requisite, giving the Julian period, the Olympiads, the year of Rome. Beyond these, the entire leaf, or two open pages, is divided

into columns varying according to the progress of time ; but presenting con- temporary rulers, with the years of their reign, the principal historical events, the names of men eminent in literature, art, science, and affairs; to which, as modern times are approached, is added a supplementary page containing a coup-d'ceil of the holders of authority in non-regal states—as German Electors. The facts thus presented in a contemporary relation are classed each under its own head in a variety of appendixes, or rather indexes. The utility of such a book for purposes of reference is obvious; nor, now that we have it, can we conceive how it could be dispensed with. But its use is not confined to mere reference : in turning over its pages, we not only run rapidly down the stream of history, but observe its gradual expansion. The tabular exhibition of so many sovereigns impresses more distinctly upon the mind than any writer's periods could do, the growth of independent states, and dis-

tinctly marks one leading difference between the ancient and the modern world. We have not looked for errors of detail, though in a collection of such mag- nitude the mere act of copying would create many ; but it seems to us that Egypt is slighted, and no use made of the great discoveries of later years into the early chronology of that country.] Three Lectures on Architecture in England, from the earliest to the pre- sent time. By HENRY ROSE, M.A., Rector of Brington, and formerly Fellow of Clare Hall, Cambridge.

[These lectures, delivered at the Northampton Society for the Diffusion of Religious and Useful Knowledge, form a good introduction to the study of

English architecture, more particularly the pointed style which prevails in our

churches and cathedrals. The general outline of the rise and progress of archi- tecture in this and other countries, is just sufficient to enable readers previously unacquainted with the subject to perceive the distinguishing characteristics of the pointed style more intelligently than they could without such needful know- ledge. The examples indicated are mostly those in the county of Northamp- ton, which contains some of the earliest specimens of Norman churches, and several varieties of the pointed style. The outline-illustrations convey a very

clear idea of the general structure and arrangement of churches, and of the geometrical forms of the tracery ; and the volume is valuable to other readers than those resident in Northamptonshire. The typography and plates are highly creditable to the provincial press.] The Story of a Feather. By DOUGLAS JERROLD, Author of " Cakes and Ale," Rec. Illustrated with a Frontispiece by LEECH. [The reprint from Punch of DOUGLAS JERROLD'S " Story of a Feather" is about the cheapest five-shillings-worth in the way of fiction that any reader

could desire. In this small book is contained the matter of many three-vo-

lumed novels, and a good deal more. The idea of the plan is not new, though the framework is not so hacknied as the readiness of its imitation might have induced one to suppose would be the case; but no frequency of use can de- prive it of the advantage of selecting the Most striking points of successive phases of life, taking up the incidents when ripe, and dropping them without the labour of a formal winding-up. This advantage, however, is slender to those who cannot avail themselves of it, by a knowledge of life, a felicity of illustration, and a dramatic power to present much in little. All these quali- ties DOUGLAS JERROLD possesses; but he never before, we think, displayed them to the same advantage. The story of the Feather whilst connected with the players, is one of the happiest sketches of histrionic life we remember. The buoyancy of the actors' animal spirits is nicely displayed; hardly one of their weaknesses is left untouched; but a kindly spirit of humanity is in- fused into all. It is one of the happiest of modern sketches.] Life ; a Romance. By * • •. In three volumes. [The form of this fiction is autobiographical, intermingled with some shorter stories of persons who appear in the course of the volumes. Some- thing like a substratum of truth may form the basis of the book ; for school and Cambridge life, a yacht-trip to Madeira, and a Continental tour, form the outline of the story. The engrafted romance is feeble, and improbable to a degree; and the style is weak, yet inflated. Some crude " articles " are, not very skilfully, inserted into the tale; but these essays are preferable to the fiction.] Horntropathy Unmasked. By ALEXANDER WOOD, M.D. [The title of this work betrays its tone. In advancing their system the ho- moeopathists have always stated its principles with perfect openness, and there is therefore nothing to " unmask." The doctrine may be refuted, or the facts by which it is supported may be shown to bear a different interpretation ; but Dr. Wootf's work will not tend to this result. Su far from refuting the arguments of the new school, Dr. Woon shows himself deficient in or regardless of the first requisite for the task, the power of stating them with fairness. Satisfied with his own logic, he considers it unnecessary to enter upon any general ex- amination of statistics. No allusion is made to the results of the homoeopathic treatment in cholera, or to the singular success ascribed to it in the correspond- ence, lately brought before the House of Commons, between the Guardians of the Wells Union and the Poor-law Commissioners; but gossiping stories of two deaths, attributed to homoeopathic treatment by its enemies, are made use of with manifest avidity. The littleness of endeavouring to raise a pre- judice against professional adversaries, by imputing "obscenity " to their medical writings, (the obscenity merely consisting in a statement of symptoms,) and by insinuating, in the safest possible terms, their want of veracity, deserves also to be rebuked. It is time that an impartial and well-planned inquiry should be accorded to homoeopathy: the system is working largely, for good or evil ; and it is unbecoming that the discussion of its merits should be left to mere undisciplined zeal, like that which pervades this publication.] A Visit to my Fatherland ; being Notes of a Journey to Syria and Pales- tine, in 1843. By RIDLEY H. HERSCHELL, Author of a " Brief Sketch of the Jews," &c.

[Mr. DERSCRELL is a converted Jew, who visited Palestine from a hankering after the home of his forefathers, as well as with an eye to missionary objects. The novelty in these brief notes of his tour only arises from the personal cha- racter of the man ; and is chiefly shown in his account of the state and feelings of the Continental and Sy rian Jews, and some harsh remarks upon the KOMAR and Eastern Churches,—though doubtless true enough as regards the facts on which he founds his commentary.] The Past history and Future Destiny of Israel, as unfolded in the Eighth and Succeeding Chapters of the Book of Daniel. By the late ROBERT WODROW, Esq. With a Preliminary Essay, by the Reverend JOHN G. LORIMER, of St. David's Free Church, Glasgow.

[An attempt, and rather a prolix attempt, to interpret some of Daniel's pro- phecies into a prediction of the conversion of the Jews; which the late Mr. WODROW considered to be near at hand.] The Comedies, Histories, Tragedies, and Poems of William Shakspere. Edited by CHARLES KNIGHT. The second edition. Volume X.

[This volume contains .111acbeth, Coriolanus, and Julius Caster. The most peculiar feature of the editor's labour is an essay on the tragedy of Macbeth, the object of which is to show the surpassing art by which SHAKSFERE ele- vates Macbeth's crime by the " supernatural soliciting " to which he subjects him, and the skill by which he avoids exciting mere horror in the reader's Ot spectator's mind.] My Old Scrap-Book. By JOHN SCRIVEN, Barrister-at-Law, late Lieu- tenant Fifty-first Light Infantry. [Mr. SCRIVEN appears to be one of those " highly-gifted " gentlemen who are a great acquisition to ladies with albums, or a party on a sea voyage, bent upon getting up a manuscript journal, and wanting somebody to undertake the " poet's corner "; for he has a knack of versifying with ease and elegance, and can put into metre the little incidents of society. This small volume must contain hard upon a hundred veraifications, from a couplet to a page or two.] Hesperides, or Works both Human and Divine, of ROBERT HERRICK. Edited by HENRY G. CLARKE. Volume I. (Clarke's English Helicon.) [A very elegant little reprint of HERRICK'S Poems; which, when com- pleted, will cost a less sum than the selections from his works.] English. Prose ; being Extracts from the Works of English Prose Writers, with Notes of their Lives.

[A. double-columned volume of close print, containing extracts from our best prose-writers, with notices of their lives. The specimens are classed under various heads, and form a good enough miscellany ; but it is, of course, im- possible in such narrow limits to present any thing like complete specimens of the authors, even had it been aimed at.]

The Family of St. Richard the Saxon.

[A continuation of the series of lives of the English Saints, which commenced with the Life of St. Stephen Abbot. The biographies in the present are below the first number in literary interest, and much exceed it in trifling and gross superstition. In noticing some similar publications, we attributed them to the Puseyites; but the present looks much more Papistical, and not as if ema- nating from a very sensible Papist either. The idlest and most absurd monkish legends of miracles are gravely put forward tor belief. It is difficult to suppose that the editor can be in earnest : one might almost fancy it done by an enemy both of Pope and Poser.] The Comic Blackstone. By GILBERT ABBOTT A' BECKETT. Part L— The Rights of Persons. Illustrated by GEORGE Crturusna.Nn. [This reprint from Punch often puts law-points in a clearer point of view, by stripping them of their grave verbiage, and showing them up in burlesque. This kind of wit, however, is difficult to maintain through a volume; and some of the smart turns wear too forced an air.]

Punch's Guide to the Chinese Collection.

[Besides the fun of the style, the quaint and pointed remarks in this brochure will better serve to prepare the mind for the Chinese Exhibition, and to refresh the memory afterwards, than a grater and more solid catalogue. It is a cheap sixpenny-worth, either to accompany or to supersede a visit.] ILLUSTRATED WORKS AND PRINTS.

Walks about the City and Environs of Jerusalem. By W. H. BARTLETT. [Mr. BARTLETT is the artist whose views of the scenery of other lauds have made his talent as a sketcher well known to the public : he now appears as an author as well as an artist, and acquits himself exceedingly well ; his descrip- tions are distinct and lively; every sentence is a picture.

ting Palestine. Mr. BARTLETT made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and ezplored the Holy City throughout. The want he experienced of a guide to its topography induced him to give the results of his investigations for the benefit of future travellers; and he has executed this task with pen and pencil in a satisfactory way. After an introductory account of the voyage from Beyrout, and a sketch of the history of Jerusalem, he enters the city, and traverses its whole extent and environs in three walks ; the first two comprehending the enter portions, and the third the inner. In describing present appearances, he constantly refers to the site of places mentioned in sacred and profane history, comparing the ancient and the modern cities; and introduces some curious notes on the Temple, made by Mr. CATEIERWOOD, who was bold and fortunate enough to explore its whole extent, and even to make drawings of it. These plans and views of the Temple form a portion of the numerous engravings on wood and steel that illustrate the volume. The views have been chosen with reference to the historical and topographical interest of their subjects; and the artist has particularly aimed at local fidelity, though they are not deficient in pictorial beauty.]

Colour Music. By D. D. JAMESON. [This is an attempt to put in practice an analogy which has constantly been felt between colour and musical sounds; first, by reducing the harmony of co- lours to a kind of arithmetical formula ; but principally, by expressing music in colours, the seven hues of the prismatic spectrum representing the seven notes of the gamut, and the chromatic intervals being formed by intermediate tints. This plan is to be used in two ways: an apparatus is so arranged, in a darkened chamber, that every note struck on a keyed instrument illumines the place with a corresponding colour,—which has the effect of enforcing a vivid association on the pupil's mind: and the tints are used in a musical notation, the lateral space indicating the duration of time for each note. We are told in the book, that" a child, eight years old, who could play the pianoforte, but was previously unacquainted with colour-music, was taught, in two minutes, to play new sound-music at sight by it." There is nothing in the aspect of the plan, however, which would lead one to expect such results.]

PAMPHLETS.

An Inquiry into the Practical Working of the Proposed Arrangements for the Renewal of the Charter of the Bank of England, and the Regula- tion of the Currency ; with a Refutation of the Fallacies advanced by Mr. Tooke. By R. TORRENS, Esq., F.R.S. [This pamphlet, in answer to a late publication by Mr. TOOKE, advocating the existing constitution of the Bank of England and the existence of provin- cial issuers of paper-money, was written by Colonel TORRENS before the enunciation of Sir ROBERT PEEL'S measure,—of which the Colonel highly approves ; and with the principles on which the Government plan is founded the views of this pamphlet coincide. The general approbation with which the Premier's proposal has been received, almost silencing, for the present, even the Currency-doctors, renders an exposure of Mr. TOOKE'S falla- cies of less consequence than it might have been under other circumstances. Truth, however, is always valuable for its own sake; and this Inquiry may be perused ass neat exposition of the operations of a currency, under its varying fa of purely metallic, metallic with convertible paper, and paper incon- wrtible. We would particularly point attention to the clear and striking man- ner in which Colonel TORRENS presents the distinction between precious me- tals imported and coined, or imported to be employed in the arts, or deposited by eambists for the purpose of being used in their vocation of unconsciously regalating the exchanges.]