REVIEW.-American Stories for Little Boys and Girls. Selected by Miss Mitford. Three Volumes, 12mo. pp. 284, 278, 298. Whittaker. London. 1832.

THERE is an art, if such it may be termed, in the telling of a story, which many persons of great learning and superior talents never can attain. Every one, on hearing it well told, perceives its excellence, and feels an interest in the issue; yet it is difficult to point out what constitutes its superiority. Narrative is a species of composition, for which both young and old feel a strong partiality. All are in love with the marvellous, provided it keep within the bounds of truth; and when places, names, and dates, can be ascertained, they impart a freshness to the incidents, which cannot be derived from any other source.

Due allowance, however, must be made for the authenticity of tales which are founded on foreign habits, and arise in distant portions of the globe. A tale of the arctic regions can hardly be expected to bear any resemblance to one that dates its nativity from the torrid zone. Both may be true, although they bear no similitude to each other; and each may seem incredible, when related or perused in that climate which is the reverse of its own. Similar remarks will apply to ourselves. In an English tale, we expect to find English features; but when we draw from foreign climates, though manners and customs essentially vary, we have no more reason on this account to deem the narrative legendary or fictitious, than other nations have to call those fabulous which are imported from our shores.

Of these tales, in three volumes, the scene is laid in America, where nature appears in gigantic forms. Her lakes are seas, in the eyes of Europeans. Sea-serpents are said to visit her oceans; remnants of the Mammoth are still found in various recesses; and her continent is an inhabitant of every zone. Under such circumstances, we ought not to be astonished at an occasional expression that may seem to partake of the marvellous, No traveller should set boundaries to the magnitude of a waterfall, until he has seen the phenomenon of Niagara.

It must not, however, be understood that the preceding remarks are intended to operate as an apology for any extravagances which these volumes contain. Independently of local peculiarities, we find nothing startling to credibility; nothing that puts credulity on the rack. In some measure their general character may be inferred from the following titles which they bear, "Sketches of a Sea Voyage--the Talisman -Life and Poems of Lucretia-Maria Davidson-Robert Woodard-Traditions of the Mammoth-and Self Conquest," fill the first volume. The second contains "The Canadian Travellers-the Blind Boy-Life of Wilson, the American Ornithologistthe New England Farm House - Grape Island-the Storm-and Adventures of a Nine-pence." The third presents to the reader" Evenings at Boston -the New England Parsonage-the Young Provin cial-the Way to have Friends-the Logbridge-the Valley of the Furnace-and the Garden of Roses."

In the first story, "Sketches of a Sea Voyage," a description is given of the ship, its tackling, capacity, arrangement, and accommodations. Her weighing anchor, spreading her sails, encountering storms, calms, exposure to an enemy, escape from disasters, and safe arrival in port, are all incorporated in the tale. The condition of the passengers on board, the unavoidable inconveniencies of their situation, the variety of character among them, and the numerous objects which attract the attention in a voyage from America to England, are all interwoven with much ingenuity. The tale will teach a sailor his duty; and a passenger, what may reasonably be expected in crossing the Atlantic.

The tale which relates to the Mammoth is as prodigious as that unwieldy animal. Not having ever been seen alive, no accurate estimate can be formed of its real dimensions. From the bones that have been found, it appears to have far exceeded in magnitude any of the animal tribes now in existence; but, beyond this, nothing with absolute certainty can be affirmed. The story is founded upon Indian traditions, which surpass all bounds of probability. The authority, however, is given, on which the exaggerated statement rests; and the author does not vouch for its authenticity. In one page, we are informed, that "the Megalonyx was precisely sixty feet in length, and twenty-five feet in height. On this subject, we beg to add the following passage, from a celebrated commentator still living. "The Mammoth; or, Megalonyx, is a carnivorous animal, as the struc

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ture of the teeth proves, and of an immense size. From a considerable part of the skeleton which I have seen, it is computed that the animal to which it belonged must have been nearly twenty-five feet high, and sixty in length. The bones of one toe are entire ; and the toe upwards of three feet in length." Dr. Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis i. 24.

The history of "Robert Woodard; or, the Heedless Boy," teaches an important lesson, which all should learn. The life of "Wilson" is rendered particularly interesting by unquestionable facts. "Grape Island" is truly American in all its parts. "The New England Farm House is also quite transatlantic in every feature. "Evenings in Boston" contain many very amusing narratives and incidents; but they would have been equally as entertaining, if Boston had given place to any town, city, or country on the European continent, or in the islands of the sea.

We have neither time nor room to characterize each individual tale. The principle upon which all are founded, is decidedly excellent; and practical utility is uniformly kept in view. These volumes happily blend instruction and entertainment with so much ingenuity, that, while the reader pursues nothing but amusement, he insensibly falls in with fragments of history, and accidental delineations, which will probably be remembered when the tale itself is half obliterated from the memory. We have perused these tales with much gratification; and think that the handsome volumes which contain them, will be a valuable acquisition to the juvenile library, on each side of the Atlantic.

REVIEW.-The Annual Biography and Obituary. 1832. Vol. XVI. 8vo. pp. 476. Longman. London.

THIS Volume contains memoirs of celebrated persons who have died within the years 1830 and 1831. These are thirtyone in number, and are variously extended, as the career of the individual has been more or less diversified with incidents, while pursuing his journey through life.

This annual biography has no connexion with sect or party. Statesmen, judges, counsellors, divines, philosophers, and heroes, are alike eligible to its pages; and it is pleasing to observe, that, how much soever they might have differed in sentiment from each other, when living, their names and distinguishing characteristics now associate in these pages, in as much peace as their mortal remains moulder with

undisturbed repose, in the house appointed for all living.

A work that has been so long before the world as the Annual Biography, of which this is the sixteenth volume, must be too well known to require any particular description. The memoirs are written with much spirited simplicity; and several among them furnish narratives of remarkable events, that are particularly interesting. The life of Mrs. Siddons, the biographical sketch of Mr. Roscoe, and the shipwreck of Sir Murray Maxwell, may be adduced, among many others, as specimens of the able manner in which this work is executed.

To the impartiality which distinguishes these memoirs, justice directs us to bear an unequivocal testimony. No doubtful expressions are suffered to interweave themselves with the general tenor of the narrative, to neutralize its effects, and place the individual in a questionable light. What is intended is expressed without duplicity, and nothing appears in the character of artful concealment.

Of literary men, some account is given in reference to their works, but this relates more to the list of their publications than to their particular character, or the merits which they possess. Yet, even in this respect, as a book of consultation its records will be found exceedingly valuable.

With a degree of candour highly creditable to the compiler, the sources whence his information has been derived are very generally acknowledged. This tribute of respect was due, both to himself and to the works which have afforded the supplies: to himself, that he may not be accountable for the errors of others, nor reap laurels to which they have an exclusive claim; and to others, that they may not have occasion to complain that their compositions have been pirated without being honoured with a suitable acknowledgment.

The Annual Biography and Obituary is a national work, in the welfare of which all the respectable classes of the community are deeply interested; and we doubt not that it is supported by the patronage which it so justly merits.

expectations. We do not, however, think that they are greater than its contents are adapted to gratify, as the subjects are both numerous and interesting, and the author's acquaintance with them is at once intimate and extensive.

In glancing over the contents, we find that the compiler pays his visits to nearly all the countries in Europe; and, crossing the Atlantic, traverses the United States, and carries his researches into the regions of South America. From each of these he collects materials for this "historical, political, biographical, and miscellaneous chronicle," which, richly freighted with foreign and domestic intelligence, he now presents to the public in the character of "the Cabinet Annual Register."

Of this work, about one half is devoted to the occurrences which, during the past year, have taken place in Great Britain and Ireland. Among these, the proceedings of parliament, popular tumults, and the state of the public mind, form the more prominent features. The nations on the continent follow in succession; so that a few glances will introduce us to the principal transactions of the European and American world.

In several respects, the year has been productive of many remarkable events. The commotions in France, the affairs of Belgium and Holland, the efforts of Poland to shake off the Russian yoke, and the state of Portugal, still remaining in suspense, arrest our attention when we look abroad; while the Reform bill, at home, swallows almost every other consideration. Into each of these, the work before us enters; and, although the author's observations are compendious, they appear luminous, and command our respect by their impartiality.

Of the Annual Biography we do not think so highly. The memoirs are very brief, and consist chiefly of common-place observations, unenriched by original matter, unenlivened by incident and anecdote, and unadorned by those nice discriminations of character that might be expected. It is an annual obituary, a little more extended than that which bears this name; and no one would, perhaps, have detected an error, if both had been covered by the latter title.

The "Chronicle of Events," on the contrary, we consider as a highly valuable article. It includes nearly every incident of importance that has occurred in the British empire, throughout the year. This portion alone is worth the price of the whole book. In favour of the public documents, lists, tables, &c., we readily bear our most de2D. SERIES, NO. 16. —VOL. II.

cided testimony. To every lover of his country, and to all who have the welfare of their neighbours and families at heart, whether of patrician or plebeian blood, these tables and documents must be highly interesting and valuable. They may be considered as a map, on which is delineated the income and disbursements of the British nation, with all its leading characters sitting at the helm of public affairs. These are tables and documents, which, in some form or other, no person should be without; and we scarcely know one in which, on a succinct, yet moderately extended scale, they may be inspected to greater advantage.

REVIEW.-Fisher's Drawing-room Scrapbook, with Poetical Illustrations, by L. E. L. 4to. Fisher & Co. London. FROM the number and variety of splendid annuals which of late years have presented themselves to our notice, we were inclined to think that the resources of ingenuity were so impoverished, that no powerful attraction in any rival publication could be reasonably expected. We had also imagined, that public taste, satiated with literary and graphic splendour, would pause for a season, until the cravings of returning hunger should demand a fresh supply. In both of these respects we have, however, found ourselves greatly mistaken.

The Drawing-room Scrap-book is a splendid quarto, elegantly bound, and ornamented with thirty-six beautiful engravings, so that it exceeds, both in dimensions and in the number of its embellishments, all its predecessors and contemporaries, and thus holds out a new attraction to the admirers of art, in the number, diversity, and concentration of its charms.

Nor have these attractive influences been permitted to operate in vain. The sale of this superb production has, we understand, been very considerable. To this, perhaps, the time of its appearance greatly contributed. It was reserved until the conclusion of the year, when the novelty of others, prematurely sent into the market, had subsided; and, as a Christmas and New Year's Gift among annuals unseen before, it found no competitor.

But, in addition to the splendid exterior and graphic elegance of this volume, the poetic pen of L. E. L. lent a portion of its well-known fame, to augment its lustre and enhance its value. The productions of this lady are well known to all who have any regard for the muses, or have ever visited the Aonian mount. Nearly all the descriptions are her own; and, in conjunction

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with her other compositions, they will bear their part in transmitting her name to posterity.

By special permission, this Drawingroom Scrap-book is dedicated to Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, and the first plate is a lovely portrait of her daughter the Princess Victoria. In this portrait, youth, beauty, innocence, and simplicity, are happily combined. It was engraved by Woolnoth from a painting by Anthony Stewart. Her illustrious mother, the Duchess of Kent, engraved by the same artist, also appears in the volume, and likewise His Highness Prince George-FrederickAlexander - Charles - Earnest - Augustus of Cumberland.

Descending from royal lineage, some other portraits of celebrated individuals adorn this volume, but, in general, the plates exhibit views of varied scenery and character, taken from England, Ireland, India, and the antipodes of the globe.

Amidst this magnificent assemblage, we scarcely know to which we should attach our strongest marks of admiration. Those that are of foreign extraction being new, in architecture and nature, to the English eye, will most probably put forth an attractive power, that will be felt with the greatest efficacy. Novelty, however, is an evanescent charm, and when this has subsided, intrinsic worth will resume and retain its permanent character. On superlative excellence, where all has so strong a claim to approbation, we presume not to decide; this must be consigned to the taste and judgment of every connoisseur.

We have only to add, that the Drawingroom Scrap-book is a work in which art and genius have happily united their energies; and we rejoice to find it honoured with that extensive patronage which the publishers had successfully exerted themselves to deserve.

REVIEW.-Living Poets and Poetesses, a Biographical and Critical Poem. By Nicholas Michell, Author of the Siege of Constantinople. 12mo. pp. 150. Kidd, London, 1832.

THIS is a bold title, and, when we consider that the author is a very young man, who has but just begun to make his appearance before the public, we cannot but view his undertaking as still bolder than the name he has given to his book. Age, experience, superiority of talent, and established reputation, should all concentrate, in the writer who presumes to take his seat in the

chair of infallibility, and to assume the censorship over the poetical genius of the era and country in which he lives. We cannot, therefore, but think, that Mr. Michell has taken a hasty and premature step, and that, in a few years, he will regret he had not acted with more prudence, caution, and deliberate circumspection.

Within the narrow compass of one hundred pages, throughout which many notes are scattered, Mr. Mitchell has cited before his tribunal, arraigned, tried, acquitted, or condemned, fifty-four votaries of the muse. Many of these are her particular favourites, and have long since had their names inscribed on a conspicuous tablet in the temple of fame; while others are travelling hard to gain the steep ascent, and catch, if but a transient, smile from the Parnassian goddess. In short, Mr. Michell has spread his net so widely, that in one general sweep he has enclosed nearly all the poetical talents of the country, and dragged them on shore, to undergo the rigours of his own examination.

But while we thus most decidedly condemn Mr. Michell's presumption and temerity, for the daring step he has taken, we do not mean to insinuate that his production is destitute of merit. Many of his lines are admirably constructed, and his sentiments are nervously expressed. We perceive, also, some nice discriminations of character, applied to the works which he analyzes, both in his poem and in the notes; but his muse not being fully fledged, exposes many unseemly parts, which time might have covered with beautiful feathers. He might then have given to his critical awards a degree of symmetry of which they now are destitute.

It is equally fair also to observe, that, on some occasions, Mr. Michell is nearly as lavish in his praises, as, on others, he is liberal in his censures; and even the same individual, whom, in some respects, he at times applauds, he condemns and ridicules in others. Few, indeed, have been so fortunate as to merit approbation without any alloy; but several are brought forth with "all their imperfections on their heads;" and, for their redeeming qualities, to mitigate the severity of censure, we are compelled to search in vain.

From the pen of Lord Byron, a survey of English Bards and Scotch Reviewers might be very acceptable to the public; but on the subject of satire, imitation is rarely successful. None but Ulysses could bend his own bow, and Wallace alone could properly manage his own sword. In weak or unskilful hands, a ponderous

weapon will sometimes inflict a wound much deeper than was intended, and in aiming at an enemy, perhaps slay a friend; or probably but slightly scarify those who

deserve its severest strokes.

Mr. Michell is certainly a young man of promising talent, but on the present occasion his step is premature, and one that is more calculated to create enemies, than to make friends. Precipitancy in appearing before the public, and an ill-chosen subject, have brought many a child of genius to an untimely literary grave. We hope, in future, that this author will devote his poetical energies, which are highly deserving of cultivation and exercise, to some permanent subject, on which the fluctuations of opinion cannot divide and weaken public attention; nor consign to oblivion or neglect, the mature emanations of mental and poetical vigour, because, in youth, they happened, on one occasion, to be ill-directed, and unfortunately applied.

REVIEW.-The Easter Gift; a Religious Offering. By L. E. L. Fisher, Son, and Co. London. 1832.

Or this new publication, we have been favoured with an inspection, before it can be said fairly to have issued from the press. As an Easter Gift, Easter is the time allotted for its appearance; and, for this hallowed season, both its engravings and poetical compositions are peculiarly adapted. Like the Drawing-Room Scrap-Book," which has been reviewed in a preceding page, the poetical illustrations in this volume are by L. E. L., to whose talents, tributes of praise are now nearly superfluous.

"

"The Easter Gift" will contain fourteen plates, from originals, painted by some of the most eminent artists, both ancient and modern, in this nation, and in foreign parts; and, engraved by individuals, who rank deservedly high in the graphic departments which they respectively fill. The subjects of these plates are chiefly from the New Testament; and the greater portion have an immediate bearing on the character which Christ sustained, when he became "the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world."

In construction and arrangement, this "Easter Gift" is reared on the model of the "Drawing-Room Scrap-Book," only it is on a less splendid, and less extended scale; and will, therefore be rendered at a proportionably lower price. We feel, however, fully satisfied, that the numerous admirers of the "Drawing-Room Scrap-Book," will find this equally congenial to their taste; and, as a

handsome present from one friend to another, adapted to the season of the year, we know not one more elegant or more appropriate.

As a specimen of the poetry, we give the following:

JUDAS RETURNING THE THIRTY PIECES. "The thirty pieces down he flung, for which his Lord he sold,

And turned away his murderer's face from that accursed gold.

He cannot sleep, he dares not watch; that weight is on his heart,

For which, nor earth nor heaven have hope, which never can depart.

"A curse is on his memory, we shudder at his

name;

At once we loathe and scorn his guilt, and yet we do the same:

Alas! the sinfulness of man, how oft in deed and word

We act the traitor's part again, and do betray our Lord.

"We bend the knee, record the vow, and breathe the fervent prayer:

How soon are prayer and vow forgot, amid life's crime and care!

The Saviour's passion, cross, and blood, of what avail are they,

If first that Saviour we forget, and next we disobey? "For pleasures, vanities, and hates, the compact we renew,

And Judas rises in our hearts-we sell our Saviour too.

How for some moments' vain delight we will imbitter years,

And in our youth lay up for age, only remorse and tears.

"Ah! sanctify and strengthen, Lord, the souls that turn to thee;

And from the devil and the world our guard and solace be.

And as the mariners at sea still watch some guiding star,

So fix our hearts and hopes on thee, until thine own they are."-pp. 21, 22.

BRIEF SURVEY OF BOOKS.

1. The Child's Commentator on the Holy Scriptures, by Ingram Cobbin, A. M. Vol. IV., (Westley, London,) introduces to our notice a great number of scenes and incidents from the Old Testament, on which the author has made many very judicious remarks. It is a book designed for children, to whom it will communicate much useful information, on several interesting subjects of sacred history.

2. A Dictionary of the most important Names, Objects, and Terms, found in the Holy Scriptures, by Howard Malcolm, A. M., (Seeley, London,) derives a considerable portion of its value from the changes which time has made in the use and appropriation of language. The terms and objects found in the sacred writings, the author considers in their primitive import and application; and, without this branch of useful knowledge, many things will be misunderstood. This book is small in size, but valuable in its contents.