A Pedestrian Journey in Calabria and Sicily. By Arthur John Strutt. 8vo. 1842.

THERE is more sterling matter in this small volume than is to be found in two thick volumes of travels of the average standard. The reason is, that, instead of following the beaten high road shut up in a carriage, flying from one great town to another, the author has pursued a totally different course. He has trusted to his own eyes and his own legs, and has struck across the country in every direction, climbing mountains, penetrating into remote valleys, visiting places and scenes almost unknown to the usual class of travellers, and associating with persons of all ranks, from the highest to the lowest. He met with various adventures in the course of his peregrinations; amongst others, one of a rather serious character, in Calabria. He was attacked by banditti, and would not have escaped with life, had he not been rescued by a Calabrian gentleman, who, not content with this aid, entertained him with the greatest hospitality for some time. The description of the manner of living of this gentleman, and of the search after and arrest of the banditti, is highly interesting, and is related in a most lively and spirited manner. Notwithstanding, however, the kindness he experienced from persons of various classes, travelling in these countries appears to be highly dangerous, so beset are they with banditti. The author, it appears, is an artist; and his motive in making the excursions, which he has so well described, was connected with his profession. If we may judge from some coloured plates which adorn the volume, we should think Mr. Strutt's sketch-book must abound with delightful and characteristic drawings. We hope he will favour us with some more accounts of his wanderings.

American Notes, for General Circulation. By Charles Dickens. Two vols. 8vo. 1842.

IN the present work Mr. Dickens has appeared in a new character, but it is one which becomes him well. Indeed, eminent as his success has been in the other branches of literary adventure which he has essayed, we are inclined to think that in the one before us he has displayed no slight power as a writer, and, what is better, he has done his best to contribute, on some important points, his part towards the improvement of the condition of his fellow men. We allude more particularly to the observations which occur in his book on the state of society in America, and to his remarks on slavery, as it exists in the United States, which may possibly have the effect of disabusing the minds of certain opinionated persons of their prepossessions in favour of a republican form of government, by showing to them most of its results, and by holding up to the public gaze the sworn friends of liberty, the assertors of freedom and independence (mark that, reader!) in the character of stern, cruel, and relentless owners of human slaves!

Mr. Dickens has touched on many of the customs and habits of America, and wherever he has done so, he appears to us to speak with perfect impartiality, with a love of truth, and in a tone of courteous feeling. Among other parts of his work which are particularly worth notice is

the description of the Penitentiary at Philadelphia, in which the system of solitary confinement is rigidly enforced. His account of this prison is full of deep and painful interest, as the whole of his remarks on the system do equal credit to his head and his heart. We defy any one to peruse this chapter without feeling impressed with the strongest conviction of the utter inefficacy, inexpediency, and absolute cruelty and inhumanity of such a system. There is an account of an institution in another part of the work, which will excite feelings of a very different kind. This is the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, at Boston. Mr. Dickens's narrative of a poor girl in this institution, who was both deaf, dumb, and blind, and his detail of the means employed in teaching her to read, and of the extraordinary progress which she made, form altogether one of the most delightful and touching little histories we have ever met with. We wish we could spare more space for a notice of some other parts of this work, so much is there in it both to amuse and inform the reader. Indeed, for those equally who desire a hearty laugh, or who are curious in the investigation of national habits and institutions, there is ample food of both kinds.

Louisa; or, the Bride. By the Author of " The Fairy Bower," "Lost Brooch," &c. 1842.

THIS is a very instructive and interesting tale. Many a fair and accomplished young bride might learn useful and excellent lessons, for her guidance in the new and difficult path on which she is about to enter, from the pages of this pleasing and unpretending volume. Written in a similar style and kindred strain of feeling to its predecessors, although it possesses less bustle and incident perhaps, yet the interest is more concentrated, and is made to bear more upon the development of a few characters. All of these are sketched to the life, although some are touched rather too strongly. Frank, openhearted, and sincere, and excellent in many other respects as the heroine of the work is herself, we cannot say we should have selected her as our own choice. She is, however, a very good example of the mistakes and errors which a very young female is likely to commit in the married state.

Narrative of a Yacht Voyage in the Mediterranean, during the years

1840-41. 1842.

In this work the noble authoress has contented herself, as it appears to us, with putting down a faithful narrative of each day's proceedings and adventures exactly as they occurred, without any attempt at fine writing or ornamental style. Excellent as simplicity in composition is, from the stamp of truth which it bears, we cannot help thinking that it may be carried too far. Perhaps, had the authoress of the work before us added a little more embellishment, and allowed somewhat more play to her feelings, she would have imparted a greater charm to her descriptions, excellent, accurate, and thoroughly to be depended on as they doubtless are. However, the work is sure to be read, from this very circumstance, that it contains, namely, a faithful

description of what the writer heard and saw in some most remarkable scenes and places. But let it not be thought, that what we have been saying applies to the whole of the work, far from it; some of the relations in these volumes are highly wrought, particularly the description of a journey which the authoress performed through part of Spain. Her account of the state of manners and society in that country is of a sad and melancholy character; a complete disorganization, indeed, of society appears to have taken place, and the bonds of religion and of law seem to have become totally loosened. Such are the effects of the liberal spirit when permitted to gain a head in any country. It would be difficult, indeed, to find a more striking example of the moral and even physical desolation which such a spirit is sure to produce, than Spain, a land so favoured by Providence, which every natural gift affords.

Ecclesiastical Report.

THE DEATH OF THE DUKE OF SUSSEX.

IN our retrospect of the events of the month we have to include the lamentable announcement of the death of his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex. This painful occurrence took place on Friday 22nd ult. His Royal Highness was attacked with erysipelas; but the disorder gave no uneasiness to his medical attendants, and at first was not attended with any dangerous or even unfavourable symptom. In the course of the week an alarming change took place; and on Thursday night such a crisis appeared to be approaching, that an intimation was made to her Majesty and to several other branches of the Royal family. The Duke of Cambridge was present when the fatal event took place. The Duke died with perfect calmness and composure, as became a sincere Christian and a good man. He was sensible almost to the period of his dissolution; and a short time before, he desired that his servants should be allowed to take their last leave of him. The Duke attempted to speak to them, but his strength failed him, his voice faltered, and in a few minutes he ceased to exist.

His Royal Highness Prince Augustus Frederick, the ninth child and sixth son of His Majesty George III., was born the 27th of January, 1773. His titles, besides the Ducal one, were Earl of Inverness, and Baron of Arklow; he was a Knight of the Garter, a Knight of the Thistle, Grand Cross of Hanover, and a Privy Councillor; High Steward of Plymouth, Ranger of St. James's and Hyde Parks, Colonel of the Hon. Artillery Company, Grand Master of the United Order of Freemasons of England and Wales, President of the Society of Arts, a Fellow of the Royal Society, and for some time was President of that learned body; a Doctor of Civil Law, and an Official Trustee of the British and Hunterian Museums.

Very few members of the Royal family have occupied public attention in a greater degree than the Duke of Sussex. His Royal Highness was the sixth son of George III., and at the time of his death had reached the age of "three score years and ten," having been born on

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the 27th of January, 1773. His brothers, the Dukes of York, Kent, Cumberland, and Cambridge, were brought up to the profession of arms; the Duke of Clarence went into the navy; and of all the family the Duke of Sussex alone received that degree of intellectual culture in his youth, which enabled him in after-life to meet men of science and of literature upon terms alike flattering to them and honourable to himself. The Duke was at an early age sent to Germany, there to be subjected to that mental and moral discipline which all men of rank ought to undergo, which are not easily obtained for a prince in his own country, and which even in a foreign land are, in such cases as his, rarely brought to any high degree of perfection. His Royal Highness became a member of the University of Gottingen, and having pursued his studies for the usual time at that celebrated seat of learning, it was determined that he should proceed to Rome. In those days there were few places on the continent open to an English traveller; and least of all was it considered prudent that a prince of the English blood royal should hazard his safety in any situation accessible to the French Republican armies. The Duke, then, was one of the English residents at Rome during the years 1792 and 1793. The Earl and Countess of Dunmore, with some members of their family, were also sojourners at Rome.

Lady Augusta Murray, Lord Dunmore's second daughter, formed one of that circle of society then assembled at Rome, of which Prince Augustus Frederick was a conspicuous and admired member. Her ladyship was three or four years senior to the Prince; but her personal attractions were then as universally acknowledged as her many virtues and amiable qualities were beloved and esteemed to the latest period of her existence. Nothing could be more in the natural course of events than that a young man, circumstanced as Prince Augustus then was, should neither have the fear of the Royal Marriage Act before his eyes, nor stand much in awe of the inflexible severity with which George III. ruled his family-an iron dominion of which the young prince had had no practical experience since his childhood. As might be expected, the charms of Lady Augusta Murray won the affections of Prince Augustus, and, while yet in his 21st year, he became a husband, and before he completed his 22nd a father. The marriage between the young prince and Lady Augusta took place at Rome, on the 4th of April, 1793, and subsequently by banns, at St. George's, Hanover-square, on the 5th of December, in the same year. The issue of this marriage are Colonel Sir A. D'Este, K.C.H., and his sister. It has been more than once stated that the ceremony, which took place at Rome, was performed according to the rites of the Romish Church; but the Duke, in his letters, contradicts this, and says it was performed by a clergyman of the Church of England, whose name he had promised to keep secret. In the printed, but unpublished volume, to which reference has just been made, Sir Augustus D'Este sets forth the opinions of several eminent lawyers, who appear to think that the Royal Marriage Act does not invalidate his claim to any property which might descend through his mother.

So soon as the alliance, which the Duke of Sussex had contracted

with Lady Augusta Murray, became publicly known, the matter was taken up by Government; proceedings were instituted in the Ecclesiastical courts, and the marriage pronounced null. Prince Augustus continued, however, to assert its legality, treated Lady Augusta as his wife, and her children as his legitimate offspring; addressed letters to her as a princess, and to his son as a prince; protested against the proceedings in the Ecclesiastical courts as inhuman, and especially aggravated by the circumstance of her ladyship having been proceeded against in the suit during the period of her first accouchement, her husband being absent and restrained from joining her by severe indisposition.

From this time till the deceased Prince became a member of the House of Peers, the course of his life was marked by no event worth recording. On the 27th of November, 1801, his Royal Highness was created Duke of Sussex, Earl of Inverness, and Baron of Arklow. The grant of his peerage had been delayed beyond the usual time, and his domestic affairs had been subjected to a very painful interference. Then some of the most witty, accomplished, and able men of the period were opposed to the King's government. The conduct of the war was denounced, and its issue remained doubtful. Reform in Parliament, a repeal of the penal laws against Roman Catholics, a diminution of public expenditure, and new principles in trade, were said to be indispensable; the Duke of Sussex declaring in favour of these, and against the existing Ministry, became a decided Whig, and occasionally he proved himself a formidable opponent; for he spoke with some fluency, possessed a competent acquaintance with public affairs, had great facility in availing himself of any suggestions or recent information which might happen to reach him; and though he spoke but rarely, yet, adding the weight of the princely character to some share of ability and knowledge, and combining these with the influence derived from great popularity out of doors, he possessed an importance in Parliament which never previously belonged to any member of the Royal family. But, however well and efficiently he might have supported his friends and his principles in the House of Lords, Parliament was not the scene of his most conspicuous and successful efforts. It is well known that England has long been honourably distinguished amongst the nations of Europe, not only by the numbers and the usefulness of her charitable institutions, but by the unbounded munificence with which they are supported. For more than forty years the Duke of Sussex devoted his best exertions to the advancement of these objects. The promotion of public charities by means of public dinners is a custom peculiar to England, and at every suitable opportunity his Royal Highness presided over those festivals. The never-failing skill and dexterity with which he carried forward the business of the evening to a happy consummation, must be full in the recollection of many; while the effective and touching manner in which the Duke was accustomed to plead the cause of widowhood, of orphanage, and of every variety of suffering or of poverty, has left an impression upon the public mind, not likely to be soon effaced, and has produced results upon the charitable institutions of the metropolis which will continue to be felt when