legal, for the task we have undertaken, from the little professional knowledge exhibited in our observations, and the style in which they are put forth, upon those cases, that this Number contains; and which description of cases forms the second part of our plan of operations.

"In addition to our Law Lecture, and the cases illustrative of the subject on which it treats, we shall subjoin detached cases, that have occurred either at sessions, or before magistrates at police offices, involving questions of general importance, or from which useful information may be extracted; and these we shall endeavour to convey so as to unite amusement with instruction: and further, to enliven the whole, we shall not fail to avail ourselves occasionally of some of those ludi. crous exhibitions, that not unfrequently serve to dispel for a time the gloom, which the ever-recurring recital of crime and suffering throws over the general business of a justice-room. Upon all these various cases, whether in or out of sessions, we shall offer such comments and observations, both as to the law and the facts, as the circumstances and the nature of the subject give rise to. This part of our plan, if conducted, as we pledge ourselves it shall be, in the genuine spirit of fearlessness, candour, and impartiality, will be found, we believe, by no means the least interesting and important, even to magistrates themselves."

It is, however, pleasing to observe, that though one object of the work is to make the proceedings before magistrates public, and even to animadvert on such as may be improper, yet that the editors do not seem disposed to adopt the illiberal practice of ridiculing and abusing that useful and respectable class of gentlemen, for the mere purpose of adding to the piquancy of the publication. We fully agree with the sentiments expressed in the following passage, the spirit of which is apparent throughout the work.

"So far, however, from intending to run a-tilt at the magistracy, or to impute to them either prejudice or partiality in the execution of their various official duties, we unhesitatingly declare, that from all we have witnessed of their official conduct,--and our experience amongst them has been great, we believe them all to be actuated by the purest motives, and the best intentions to administer justice equally to all, whom circumstances may bring before him. We speak of the magistrates of the metropolis generally; and more particularly of the unpaid magistracy, the aldermen of London; and however they may be distinguished from each other, (and there certainly is a great difference between some of them,) in respect to intellect and legal knowledge, in purity of inteution and desire to do right, they are, in our judgment, all upon the

level."

In the present numbers of this publication, there is a good deal of practical information on some important legal points connected with the business of ordinary life, such as giving characters of servants, the exercise of magisterial discretion, pursuing a person's usual calling on the Lord's day, distresses

on lodgers, and the carriage and porterage of parcels. These and several other subjects are discussed in a manner the most acute, intelligent, and amusing; and if the work be continued with the same spirit and ability which distinguish its commencement, we have no doubt it will be found as useful to magistrates and the legal profession, as to the public at large.

The Pleasures of Piety, with other Poems. By Eleanor Dickinson. London, Sherwood and Co. 12mo. pp. 81.

THERE is a very considerable portion of poetical talent in this country at present: we know indeed, that for the last hundred years, there has never been a dearth of metrical volumes, but we are now speaking of Poetry, and there is much before the public that truly deserves the name. There are some fine poems, produced within the last few years, which, had they appeared under more favorable auspices, and been guaranteed by high names, would have immortalized their authors. We would name some which neither Pope nor Goldsmith, nor the highest of living bards need be ashamed to own. We may perhaps assist, at some future time, in bringing some of these unjustly neglected works into more prominent notice. It is a disgrace to an enlightened age like this, that such neglect should be the reward of talent. Volumes imbued with the spirit of poetry are published; and yet, if not sanctioned by a certain connexion, all powerful in literature, or not acknowledged by some high and popular name, they remain on the publisher's hands, and their authors reap neither the fame nor the profit they are so fairly entitled to. This is unjust and cruel on the part of the public; it ought to judge for itself; and the numerous periodical journals, by the extracts they give in general, afford a fair means of so doing. Whoever edits a future edition of the British Poets, will have a great duty to perform, in bringing forward these neglected works, and placing their authors in the situation they deserve to occupy, among the bards of their country. The speculation of a poet is much like that of a chancery suiter, it is ten to one if he live to hear the judgment he is entitled to, but it ought to be given, though he may have past away for ever."

The authoress of this little volume tells us, in her preface,

that she does not write for fame or profit-we are glad of it, for then she will be prepared for the disappointment which others have endured before her. She may obtain neither, and yet her volume entitles her to a share of both. In the "Pleasures of Piety," there are many passages which do honour to her head and heart. It is marked by a sincere devotion, and enlivened by a considerable portion of imagination: much of it is far above mediocrity, and none is below it. Many passages display at once a vigour of thought, a correct judment, and an easy and harmonious versification. The rhymes are in general very correct--formed and adorned, however, form an exception, and are totally inadmissible: we should not have noticed this, but that the poem is too good for such a rhyme to be there. The subject is one of great poetical capability, and the authoress has treated it in a manner worthy of itself. The attempt is another proof, if another were wanting, of the powers of the female mind. To those who love to see religion and poetry united, we can safely recommend the volume, being assured that it will not disappoint their wishes.

The following description of the Missionary, is very pleasing:

"Lo! where thy handmaid train descending form,
A bow of promise thwart life's passing storm:
See Faith, and Hope, and Charity, divine,

To bless mankind, united charms combine.

By them inspired, the Missionary goes,

Nor heeds the desert sands, nor mountain snows;
Braves the rude winds, which sweep the stormy pole,
Or burning climes explores with tranquil soul;
On Faith's broad pinions rests his fervid eye,
And smiling Hope inspires his trembling sigh:
Mark, where he treads the solitary wild,
And Heaven, alone, sees her devoted child.
Clear from the desert rock the waters flow,
And fertile vales adorn the wastes below;
The peopled wilderness begins to smile,
And Peace and Plenty bless the land the while;
Still, with the Christian's name, the arts appear,
And useful labour reaps the bending ear.
Around him now a happy people rise,

Who love the reverend sire, that made them wise;
And in meek order bend their quiet way,
To learn their duty, on the sabbath day.
Say, what induced the wanderer to roam,
To leave his Country, Friends, and native home?
'Twas Charity, at thy divine behest

He sought, 'mong foreign climes, a place of rest:

'Twas thou who bad'st him bear the balm which heals,
And sacred source of light and life reveals,
To those who dwelt in darkness, which no sun,
No God of Peace, and Love, e'er beamed upon.'

"

The lines on the injured Negro, are entitled to unqualified praise :—

"Lo! where Oppression rears his giant form,

On Indian shores, where sweeps the Atlantic storm:
Hark! from his lash what groans of anguish rise,
What cries of sorrow vibrate through the skies:
What forms are those that quiver 'neath his rod,
Shrink from his presence, and obey his nod?
Afric's unhappy sons! compelled to roam
In hateful bondage, from their native home;
Scourged like the brute, which spurns its master's will,
Degraded, wronged, abused, but human still!
How looks the God of Heaven from above
Upon these sable children of His love?-
Regards He not their cry, sees not their tear,
Their bitter plaints, their sighs, will He not hear?
Assuredly He will, and in that scroll

Which the last awful day shall view unrol,

Records them all-then, whose the deeper stain,
'The slave's who wore, or his who forged the chain?"

The following beautiful lines conclude the poem :—

"Oh Piety! pure are thy pleasures, pure

As they are fadeless, ever to endure!
The mind clothed in thy simple majesty,
May smile at fortune, and her frowns defy;
A world within itself, it moves serene

Through the wild tumults of earth's chequered scene :
Like yon mild orb, which through the nightly sky,
Still shining rolls, though clouds around her fly;
Their deepest glooms but veil her face awhile,

When past, once more we view her heavenly smile."

Some of the smaller pieces display much taste and feeling, and it is no slight praise to say, they are not unworthy of the writer of the above passages.

A New Guide to Paris, from the latest Observations; being altered and enlarged from the Work, entitled" How to enjoy Paris" containing an Accurate and Critical Description of the Buildings, Antiquities, Paintings, Theatres, Literatures; Politics, and Religion, as well as of the Manners of the Inhabitants; forming the most comprehensive Guide hitherto published, and calculated for the entertainment and information of Persons who, without visiting, are desirous of becoming acquainted with the Metropolis of France. To which are added, Directions for Travelling in the least expensive Manner, by three different Routes, an Account of the Environs of Paris, and a Copious Inder. Third Edition, with Plates and Maps. By Peter Hervé. London, Sherwood and Co. 1824. pp. 583.

AT this season of the year, many of our readers will probably visit the capital of France. We therefore conceive, that we shall render them some service, by calling their attention to the new edition of Mr. Hervé's Guide to Paris. We think that it contains all that is interesting to the traveller on his route, and to the visitor when he has arrived. Mr. Hervé is evidently skilled in the fine arts, and possessed of a taste and discrimination which enable him to point out whatever is interesting in the French metropolis.

The various routes to Paris are described briefly, but satisfactorily. An adventure which the author met with at Boulogne, must have convinced him (if he had doubted of it,) that he was in France.

“Unconscious that our inn could furnish us with a cabriolet that would contain but two, we sought the proprietor of such a vehicle, and made our agreement. When we arrived with it the next morning, a scene truly laughable occurred. Our very solemn, but civil young waiter, together with the major-domo of the inn, came up, to the master of the cabriolet, and with an air of comic dignity, in an heroic strain, (without the least vulgarity of manner,) asked him how he dared seduce from them the customers who had attached themselves to their house. The cabriolist, who was a book-keeper at another inn, assumed, if possible, a still more lofty tone, and, looking at them over his shoulder with ineffable disdain, replied, I am not answerable for my conduct to such scum of the earth.' This fired our knights of the towel, who with redoubled energy asserted their claims to consequence in the world. Epithets of opprobrium followed on both sides; but, in the utmost heat of the contest, no blows, no oaths were dealt. Were you my equals,' added the hero of the quill, I would call

you

both out,