PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S. Samarang, during the years 1848-46; employed Surveying the Islands of the Eastern Archipelago; accompanied by a brief Vocabulary of the Principal Languages. Published under the Authority of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. By Captain Sir Edward Belcher, R N., C.B., &c., Commander of the Expedition. With Notes on the Natural History of the Islands, by Arthur Adams, Assistant- Surgeon, RN. In two volumes.

A Walk Round Mont Blanc, qtc. By the Reverend Francis Trench, Au- thor of " Scotland, its Faith and Features," &c.

Songs of the Holy Land.

[Some six years since, the author was travelling in the Holy Land; and, inspired by the scene and the memories it awakened, he composed the greater part of the Poems contained in this volume. They are sometimes founded on an incident— as Saul and theWitch of Endor; sometimes on a sentiment—as Solomon's estimate of the vanity of human pleasures. They exhibit pleasing and appropriate senti- ments clothed in agreeable verse; but they have little of a Scriptural or indeed of so Oriental character. With Macaulay's ballads and poems before him, there was 130 occasion to travel to Palestine to write these Songs of the Holy Land: not that they are at all servile imitations of Macaulay or any other writer, but they have that species of sounding, high-toned, conventional manner, which if Macaulay did not originate, is perhaps exhibited to its best effect in his verses. This style, though as common as a court suit, still does tolerably well for chivalrous and courtly subjects; not so well for classical, although often used for them; but it is quite out of place in Scriptural narrative, incident, or sentiment. Let the reader who would wish to compare these Songs with those of Zion turn to the Hundred- and-thirty-seventh Psalm, and read it with this version; or the original story of Saul, with several of its versified facts. Perhaps the beat thing in the book is "The Burden of Edom"; but that is less a Scriptural than an antiquarian and modern poem—a description of Edom's former splendour and present state.]

On the Nature and Elements of the External World; or Universal Imma terialism fully Explained and newly Demonstrated.

[The object of this volume is to revive and reassert Bishop Berkeley's theory that the external world exists only in our perceptions of it, and that consequently there is no such thing as matter. Assuming it to be true that shape, colour, and the feeling of a table, for instance, are not invariable qualities universally inherent in the thing, but arise from our perception of them, it does not follow that therefore they are immaterial, or that the effect could be produced without the intervention of matter. But grant all this as regards forms of matter, its es- sence is not even attempted to be reached by this argument: it. is indeed mere as- sumption that the perceptive faculties, or their apparent ultimate mind itself, are immaterial. The work is clearly written; but in the present age the world will hardly waste time in attending to ingenious theories of this kind, which after all are mere revivals of olden speculations. Bat whether the author and his book be immaterial or not, we rejoice, for his publisher's sake, to learn that he is a man of substance. He offers a reward of a hundred pounds to any one who will disprove the immaterial theory; though upon terms that might be difficult to comply with.]

The Scottish Law List; a Legal Almanack, Directory, and Remembrance. For the year 1848. Officially revised. [As regards plan, The Scottish Law List is a very judiciously arranged book; and painstaking, lull, and very complete in execution, so far as can be tested by an examination not extensively practical. In this volume are found lists of all the udges, legal officials, advocates, writers to the signet, and other practitioners be-

longing to Scotland, presented in general lists, as well as according to their place of practice. It is, however, something more than a mere guide to names. A brief history and characteristic description is prefixed to each of the principal courts, and of the principal branches of the profession; so that the non-legal reader has a distinct idea of the status and practice of the person he refers to the several dates affixed to the successive legal grades of the Judges furnish an idea of their career—Affrey, for instance, was called to the bar in 1794. Be- sides the information more distinctly, relating to a directory, a large mass of legal and business matter is contained in the volume; which is indispensable for any one connected with Scotch law or lawyers.]

The Whole Art of Making British Wines, Cordials, and Liqueurs, in the greatest perfection, as also Strong and Cordial Waters: to which is added, a Collection of valuable Recipes for Brewing fine and strong Welsh Ales, and miscellaneous articles connected with the practice. By James Robinson, Author of " The Art of Curing, Pickling, and Preserving," &c.

This volume contains a great variety of recipes for making British wines, cor- dials, and strong waters, besides some instructions about Welsh ales, which are probably safer. The directions are brief and plain; their merit can only be as- certained by a trial. Yet who would willingly venture upon such compositions as nettle-wine; or who could dream of offering birch-wine to a school-boy ? Still a misgiving will arise on turning over Mr. Robinson's pages, can we avoid the British ? Who knows, when he fancies he is drinking "dry :Ley," but that he may be swallowing some compound of " high dried malt," bruised giuger," the rinds of Seville oranges " pared thin"; and that when in the morning he "rings for hock and soda water" to remedy the evils such villanelle compounds have produced, he is presented with a somewhat similar composition in lien of hock? Oh, Mr. Robinson ! this is an age of sanatory precaution—why not, then, keep your knowledge of these " unlawful arts " to yourself, instead of putting them forth to the world with as much coolness as if you were rendering a service to your country?]

Biographical and Critical Notices of the British Poets of the Present Century, with Specimens of their Poetry. By Alfred Dixon Toovey, Au- thor of "Modern Life, and other Poems."

[The modern poets in this volume are very numerous; some of the notices are well done with reference to the critical estimate, and as sufficient in respect to the lives as the space permitted. The specimens of the poetry are but indifferent; not always well chosen to exhibit the peculiar qualities of the writer, and made upon no intelligible principle. The selections from Mr. Atherstone are longer than from any other author, and much exceeding that given to poets of his own stamp. The fact is, that the space to which Mr. Toovey confines himself is much too limited for his object.] Notes on Herodotiss; Original and Selected from the best Commentators. By Dawson W. Turner, DLL, late Demy of Blagdalen College, Oxford, &c. [A useful commentary for the student or the advanced tyro. The selected ex- planatory and critical notes are chosen with judgment; in the illustrative matter of a more general kind, Mr. Turner has drawn upon writers who have spoken of Herodotus in a free and living spirit, with more of the world than of the college in their remarks. Wherever a large view or a useful hint was found, he has taken it, without any pedantic tremor that he was quoting from a review or a magazine.] The British Angler's Manual; or the Art of Angling in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. With some Account of the Principal Rivers, Lakes, and Trout Streams, in the United Kingdom; with Instructions in Fly- fishing, Trolling, and Angling at the Bottom, and more particularly for the Trout. By T. C. Hoffand, Esq. New edition revised and enlarged,

,

by E. Jesse, Esq., Author of "Gleanings in Natural, History," &c. Em- bellished with numerous Engravings on steel and wood.

[Whether this clear and full account of angling, intermingled with reminiscences

of scenery and sport, is the best book on the subject, we do not know; but the edition is certainly a remarkable one. Hofiand and Jesse are combined for the literary department; besides the landscapes of the original author-artist, friends have contributed scenes or fish pieces; and in addition to these engravings, there are upwards of fifty wood-cats.]

The Wonders of Geology; or a Familiar Exposition of Geological Phe- nomena. By Gideon Algernon Mantel], LL.D. F.R.S., Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, &e.. In two volumes. Sixth edition.

[Dr. Mantell states in his advertisement, that this sixth edition has been composed " entirely anew," in order to incorporate the most important discoveries in palm- ontology, and the new or modified views in geology that have resulted from the progress of knowledge. Professor Silliman'a Introduction to the American reprint is prefixed to the present edition.] A Familiar History of Birds; their Nature, Habits, and Instincta. By Edward Stanley, D.D., F.R.S., Lord Bishop of Norwich, President of the Lineman Society. The fourth edition, with additions.

[There does not appear to be anything new in this edition of Bishop Stanley's popular account of Birds, unless it be the confirmation of its popularity as shown by the words "fourth edition."]

The Parliamentary Companion, for 1848. Sixteenth year. By Charles.B. Dodd, Esq., Author of the " Peerage, Baronetage, Kuightage," [Although the Parliament is so new, several changes have occurred in both Houses since the general election; and the corresponding emendations have been made in a new edition of Mr. Dodd's compact volume for 1848.]

Lemma ' • or the Doctrine of Education. Translated from the German of Jean Paul Fr. Richter. The Council of Four; a Game at "Definitions? Edited by Arthur Wall- bridge, Author of " Torrington Hall," &e. Second edition.