they are made to utter, of which we offer a specimen taken at random. 'Come Jack,' said the same voice again,' 'if you wont go and get one of your carriages just round the corner there, I say it's because you're a bruteI tell you the man is dying-come, get the creature a hack, that's a man'-but if you'lle believe it, sir, the wretch did not stir hand nor foot, till at last he began to go off, as all the rest did, for some of them said the man was drunk,' and some said he's only fell down and knocked his head, so he's made his nose bleed-he'll get up by and by, and go about his business!' But I did not think the like of that, sir, so I stuck fast to the place where I was, sir, as if I'd been a stone, and at last, the man who had been calling so hard for help, said6 now if any body'd offer the stingy fool a dollar or so, he'd offer us his coach in a minute;'-and while he was speaking, he emptied his pockets inside out-but could not find any thing;-(Query have the Americans the privilege of adding Irish Bulls to their other accomplishments?) and I felt so pitiful like, that I ran after the coachman, cross as he was, and I said, 'Do, friend, give the poor man a lift; he shall go to my house'-'I wont blood my coach over for nothing,' said the cross old creature I've got jobs that'll give me two dollars, if they will a cent, I dare say, and you may get up the drunken wretch as you can. Well, sir,' says I, 'though but a poor widow I'll do what I can ;— I hav'nt but three half-crowns in the whole world, so I can't give it all; but what will you take to give the poor man a lift;' 'If you'll give me um all three, I'll take him up'grumbled the old wretch, so I said, 'No, sir,' for I could not give my all to any body, sir, and was going away with a heavy heart, but the man who had spoken before, sighed and took on so pitifully, when he found that nobody would help him, that I hadn't the heart to hold out no longer, sir,' &c.-vol i. pp. 139, 140. Now with great deference to Miss Mitford, we do say that this is a style of conversation which, whether we consider it in a moral or grammatical point of view, we should ex NO. III. ceedingly regret to hear from the lips of English children. She well knows how imitative all children are, and she ought to have avoided placing before them such models of language as these, of which her volumes contain by far too great a number. ART. XV.-The Sunday Library; WITHOUT affecting more than a evil which we lament. As to the lower classes, they, in general, sleep through the Sunday, or desecrate it by riot, drunkenness and debauchery. This is a shocking picture, but, we believe, not at all exaggerated. It will be readily understood, therefore, that we hail with lively pleasure the commencement of the Library, of which Mr. Dibdin has here given the first volume. It con2 1 tains a collection of the best sermons on those subjects, that must be of the greatest possible interest to every rightly tempered and reflecting mind. They are selected from the works of eminent Divines of the Church of England, a limitation, however, which we should like to see removed from the succeeding volumes, as there are discourses in existence, delivered by divines of other churches, which cannot be surpassed by the greatest men of whom any age or nation can boast. Why should Mr. Dibdin shut himself out from the stores of Massillon, Fenelon, Bossuet, Archer, Peach, Alison, Chalmers and others, whose names cannot be unknown to him? We trust that it is not his object to introduce into his collection, sermons on controverted points of doctrine. The leading features of Christianity are common to millions in this empire, for whose spiritual welfare Mr. Dibdin ought to be solicitous; if he confine himself to the tenets of a particular church, he will materially and most injudiciously circumscribe the sphere of his usefulness. The present volume, as far as we have informed ourselves, is unobjectionable in this respect. It sets out with the two celebrated Lectures on Christ's Sermon on the Mount by Porteus, and besides these, contains sixteen other discourses by Blomfield, Paley, Webb Le Bas, Horne, Horsley, and other well known divines. Occasionally, introductory biographical memoirs and explanatory notes are added, and the work is in every respect got up in a manner equally creditable to the editor and the publishers. ART. XVI.-Beauties of the Mind; a Poetical Sketch; with Lays historical and romantic. By Charles Swain. 12mo. pp. 197. London: Simpkin and Co. 1831. A VERY pretty volume of poetry, considering the quantity of trash that now profanes that sacred name in all classes of publications. Most of the pieces in this collection we agreeably recognize, having seen and already admired them in the Annuals and other periodicals. Mr. Swain writes with much feeling and a pure taste. His verses are well constructed, and the themes which he has generally chosen have the merit of not being common-place. The longest poem in the volume is that entitled The Beauties of the Mind,' which is in the Spenserian stanza, and contains many beautiful thoughts felicitously expressed. We are not sure that our readers have not elsewhere met with the following delightful effusion; if so, they will not, we think, be reluctant to renew their acquaintance with it. There's harmony and beauty in that rest So placid-stirless-lonely-and so deep We scarcely move, or dare to whisper-lest A word should break the magic of that sleep, And start the spirit-nymphs who watch around it keep! VI. 'There's beauty in the old monastic pile, When purple twilight like a nun appears Bending o'er ruined arch--and wasted aisle Majestic glories of departed years, Whilst dark above the victor-ivy rears Its sacrilegious banner o'er the shrine, Once holy with a dying martyr's tears; Yet amidst dust-and darknessand decline, A beauty mantles still the edifice divine! VII. 'There's beauty on the mountainswhen the snow Of thousand ages on their forehead lies; Purple and glittering in the sunset glow, The gala light of the Italian skies: When gorgeously the clear prismatic dyes Illumine ice-built arches-crystal walls That, like the Mirrors of the Spheres, arise; Or proud magician's visionary halls, Arrayed for merry masques-for pomps and carnivals. VIII. 'There's beauty in the storm :-the far, deep roll Of the majestic thunders-like the cheer Of charging hosts-swells the dilating soul With love-deep love-and reverential fear For Him who curbs the whirlwind's red career And grasps the living lightning in his hand? For Him who of all beauty is the sphere The centre of the glorious and the grand The light of sun and star, of heaven, and sea, and land!' pp. 34-38. There are several other poems in the volume equal in merit to this fancy-touching composition. We recommend them to the attention of the reader; they are all worthy of the author of the "Metrical Essays," which we are glad to find announced for a second edition. ART. XVII.-Narrative of the Peninsula War. By Major Leith Hay, F.R.S.E. In two volumes. 12mo. Edinburgh: Lizars. London: Whittaker and Co. 1831. THE only fault of Major Hay's narrative is that it has come out two or three years too late. We have had already so many histories and journals of the war in the Peninsula, that no one will expect to find novelty in any new book upon that worn-out subject. Had these volumes appeared before the "Subaltern," or soon after that celebrated production, we have no doubt that they would have attracted very general attention. They are written in a lively and agreeable manner, and full of personal anecdotes and adventures. They contain also many descriptions of local scenery, which are illustrated by engravings, not indeed of the most elaborate kind, but sufficiently well executed to convey a clear perception of the spots near or upon which most of Wellington's victories were achieved. As a gay and amusing companion to Napier, we cordially recommend Major Hay to the general as well as to the military reader. While the former will instruct him in the grand movements of the army in the field, the latter will give him the by-play of the battle, and the chit chat of the camp. ART. XVIII.—A Dictionary of the Architecture and Archeology of the Middle Ages, &c. By John Britton, F.S.A., &c. 8vo. pp. 43. Longman and Cc. 1830. MR. BRITTON, whose indefatigable labours we have frequent occasion to notice with great satisfaction, has issued this little publication as a specimen of a Dictionary, which, we sincerely hope, he may be encouraged to complete. In what may be called the Architectural department of our literature, there is no work so much wanted as that which Mr. Britton here purposes to execute. His definitions of the different technical terms, used in the description of edifices, are all, apparently, taken from the best authorities; they are moreover illustrated by plates, engraved in the best style of art, which, besides serving the purpose of fixing the definition clearly and correctly in the memory, exhibit of themselves a progressive history of the science from its earliest rudiments to its most civilized perfection. Should the meritorious author succeed in obtaining adequate patronage for so important and useful a work, we have no doubt that it will be considered as one of the most valuable accessions which the interests of Architecture have acquired for a long period in this country. ART. XIX.-Landscape Illustrations of the Waverley Novels. Engraved by W. and E. Finden. London: Tilt. Parts IX. and X. 1831. THIS beautiful work really seenis to get better and better as it goes on. The two numbers now before us contain as many gems as prints. The view of the Tower in 1670, is perhaps the most picturesque re presentation of that ancient royal pile that has ever been produced within so small a compass. The different parts of the edifice are displayed with the greatest distinctness. The Traitor's Gate is as conspicuous as the towers of the principal square. The Palace of Linlithgow appears rather to be a drawing in Indian ink than an engraving from steel, so mellow is the effect of the castellated ruins towering in the sky, and of the sylvan and water scenery by which they are surrounded. The views of Loch Leven and of Inch-cailleach are equally well executed. Kenilworth Castle, Dunstafuage and Yorvaulse Abbey, are also in every respect worthy of the eminent artists whose talents are employed upon this collection,-a collection without which any edition of the Scottish Novels must want some of its most precious ornaments. THIS little story appears to have been written some years ago, although, for some unexplained reason, the publication of it was directed by the amiable authoress to be delayed until after her death. It was her object in writing it to counteract the principles inculcated by the German poets and novelists, and their imitators in this country, as well as the doctrines which were freely propagated in England and elsewhere, soon after the French revolution. For this purpose she has exposed her heroine to many vicissitudes, through all of which she struggles successfully, by means of a religious principle and a pure She has and virtuous conscience. even represented her as triumphing over the loss of beauty by the assistance of a well-regulated and accomplished mind. At the same time that she has endeavoured to restore to old age that respect which the licentiousness and arrogance of those times would take away from it, she has shewn how persons, advanced in years, may secure for themselves, by their conduct, the general esteem of all around them. To a very large and increasing class of readers a tale, having these objects in view, will be peculiarly acceptable. It is written with great simplicity, and in the most engaging spirit of benevolence. ART. XXI.-A New System for learning and acquiring extraordinary facility on all Musical Instruments. Folio. pp. 26. London: Longman and Co. THIS New System' is the production of Mr. Auguste Bertini, who seems to have been employed in teaching music in almost all the capitals of Europe. He declares that it is applicable to the Pianoforte, Harp, and Violin, to singing, and the fingering of all wind instruments, and that the tables by which his system is illustrated, will enable the pupil to make great progress, not only without a master, but even in the absence of an instrument! Now, Signor Bertini, thou mayest be a most excellent musician in thy way, but we suspect that John Bull is not quite so easily duped as to purchase thy six and twenty tables, in order to enable himself to play upon a flute, a harp, or a violin, without either thine own precious assistance, or without having even seen the instrument upon which he |