Loudon's Arboretum Britannicum. Nos. XV. to XXII.

The first fourteen numbers of this work were devoted to the history of trees and shrubs in all parts of the world; but those now before us are filled with descriptions of the trees and shrubs which will stand in the open air in Great Britain, illustrated by several hundred beautifully executed wood cuts. These descriptions are very interesting and amusing, as well as instructive; and they not only give all the scientific details, (which, being printed in separate paragraphs, may be skipped by those who do not wish to read them,) but the popular descriptions, geography, history, properties and uses, mythological, historical and poetical allusions, soil and situation, propagation and culture, and statistics, with the price in the London nurseries. Mr. Loudon has contrived to make, not only a very elaborate and useful, but an exceedingly amusing work; and he appears to have carefully examined all authorities, from old Tusser, with his barbarous rhymes, and Gerard, dating "from my house in Holborne, in the suburbs of London," to the excellent works of De Candolle, Don, and Lindley, and, indeed, all the eminent botanical writers of the present day.

Schloss Hainfield. By Captain Basil Hall.

A book by Captain Basil Hall-be it little, or be it big-is always a rich treat. The simple story of an old Scotch lady's life, in this unpretending volume, is richly worth half the novels of the present day. The narrative is easy, unaffected, natural, and full of interest. We feel every sentiment; and our only regret is, when there is no more left to tell! Basil Hall is a man to be envied; and, what is still better, an author whom it is impossible not to love.

Edward, the Crusader's Son. A Tale. By Mrs. Barwell. 2 vols.

The intelligent and accomplished lady who has written these volumes was urged to the undertaking by an idea that a tale founded on, and illustrating the manners, customs, architecture, and costume of the eleventh century would be valuable, not only to the young, but to that class of instructors who disapprove of the too stimulating pages of historical romance, and yet desire something more than dull details for their pupils. The task was difficult, but it has been fully conquered. Mrs. Barwell has proved herself worthy to take place amongst the most able of those who write for the benefit of the rising generation. We most cordially recommend the volumes, and hope she will soon find other portions of English history to illustrate in the same manner.

Mornings with Mamma. Third Series.

This is another delightful book for the young. It fully sustains the high reputation gained by the preceding volumes.

Criminal Law in England.

This is a concise and useful digest of the criminal laws of England, drawn up by a country magistrate, in the conversational form. We heartily wish that all worthy members of the quorum were possessed of as much information respecting the "questiones perpetuæ" which are constantly falling beneath their cognizance, as is contained in these hundred and fifty pages, which we take the liberty of recommending, no less to their perusal, than to that of those who have not time to consult the more voluminous authorities upon the same subject. .

LITERARY REPORT.

FINE ARTS.

PUBLICATIONS.

Greenwich Pensioners commemorating the Battle of Trafalgar.
Painted and Engraved by John Burnet.

This is unquestionably one of the most interesting and finely-executed productions of modern times. It is published as " a companion " to Wilkie's painting of "Chelsea Pensioners," of which Mr. Burnet was the engraver. Here, however, he is also the painter; and has afforded satisfactory proof of his excellence in both arts: we believe he is the only engraver in Europe who can at once design and execute a work of so much magnitude and importance, so as to satisfy the most scrupulous critic in either art. Engravers who are also painters are rare-too rare-among us: they devote their youth to the more mechanical, and neglect the inventive, part of the pursuit. It is not often that a print appears undefaced by some defect in drawing; it is however, perhaps, too much to expect that equal skill will be manifested in both; and if Mr. Burnet stands almost or quite alone, in this respect, among British artists, it will scarcely surprise those who appreciate the difficulty in arriving at excellence in either.

The print under notice commemorates the dearly-bought victory of Trafalgar one of those great national events, to perpetuate the remembrance of which is worthy and honourable employment for an artist of Great Britain. The painter has collected round the palace hospital a group of the heroes who helped the great hero of all-the aged shipmates of Nelson who are living thirty years after the day of battle; but to make his group as pictorial as was consistent with his grand object, he has introduced some embryo mariners and merry maidens, who make up the scene. Independent of the interest which naturally grows out of the subject, the picture is a very beautiful one; and the print is worthy of the prominent station it will occupy on the walls of all who love and appreciate art, or rejoice in calling to mind the glories of their country.

Findens' Ports and Harbours of Great Britain, with Views of the most remarkable Headlands, Bays, and Fishing Stations on the Coast. No. I.

Messrs. Finden have commenced a new undertaking, and if it progresses as advantageously as their former works have done, there can be no fear but it will be fully estimated by the public. The Ports and Harbours" are unquestionably the most interesting parts of "Great Britain," and the best calculated for pictorial effects; the sea is ever beautiful-in calm or in storm-and shipping is always picturesque. It is impossible, therefore, but that a series of plates, representing the most attractive and important places in the kingdom, and engraved under the superintendence of artists of taste and experience, must form a valuable addition to our store of illustrated works. The prints contained in this part are from drawings by Mr. Harding and Mr. Bulmer; and describe Tynemouth Priory (with the life-boat introduced), Tynemouth Castle (a vessel wrecked on the rocks), Cullercoats, the Entrance to Shields Harbour, and Berwick Bridge-five plates, admirably engraved, of a large size, with explanatory letter-press, all for the sum of half-a-crown.

The Ancient Ballad of Chevy-Chace; illustrated in Twelve Plates. Designed and Etched by John Franklin, Esq.

These illustrations are designed and etched by an artist-and a very accomplished artist. We think it necessary to say so much by way of preface, lest readers should imagine that the title ESQ. designates one who is but a lover of the art of which he knows little or nothing; amateurs seldom do

much. Mr. Franklin has already obtained some reputation; his works have made their way in our several exhibitions, and we may safely augur that he is destined to hold a very prominent station in his profession.

Who has not read, who does not love, the glorious old ballad of ChevyChace? It is one of the happiest memories of our childhood, the enjoyment of which does not pass with our youth. It is strange that the sister art has not heretofore been associated with it: the last great scene was indeed commemorated by Bird, in the finest of his paintings; but artists have strangely neglected it. We look upon the choice as affording proof of taste and genius in Mr. Franklin; that taste and genius which must achieve, if it have not yet achieved, greatness. The twelve plates illustrate the twelve leading points of the deeply-exciting story, beginning with the "vow" made by the stout Erle of Northumberland, and ending with the widows coming next day

"Their husbands to bewayle."

The publication altogether is one of exceeding beauty, and we trust its reception will be such as to justify Mr. Franklin in illustrating other balladsthey will at once occur to him-which afford subjects as fine, and nearly as dear and as familiar the "Ancient Ballad of Chevy-Chace."

The Shakspeare Gallery. Part II.

This is a design to represent the female characters of Shakspeare, and is therefore miscalled "The Shakspeare Gallery." It is, however, a very sweet and interesting publication, and cannot fail to find welcome with all who love the immortal poet. If the "all" should patronize the publication, Mr. Heath will have to obtain the co-operation of a score of copper-plate printers.

May-Day in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. Painted by C. R. Leslie, R.A. Engraved by James Watt.

This is one of the few examples of painting and engraving, which prove the supremacy of British artists. It is a splendid creation of the painter, happily transferred to copper by the skill of an accomplished engraver; and it will be classed with those successful efforts of the burin which our rivals of the Continent admit as satisfactory assurances of excellence being among us in England. The subject is full of interest; it describes one of those joyous scenes of festivity which make a story of the olden time like a record of romance. Every portion of the print is crowded with incident; from the gorgeous couple in the centre, to the groups of merry masquers all around; every part tells a tale of gay customs, gorgeous dresses, and pleasant plays, long since forgotten by the crowd, and cherished only in the memories of the antiquarian, the artist, or the poet. A more delicious print to grace the walls of persons of taste has never been produced in England. The fame of Mr. Leslie has been long established, this engraving will add greatly to the already high reputation of Mr. Watt.

THE DRAMA.

MALIBRAN has gone to Brussels and the play-goer to sleep. Nothing less startling than her fine voice has sufficed of late to keep him awake in an English theatre. He is now beginning to rouse himself after the languor that succeeded to the excitement, and drops into the Haymarket to hear his old acquaintance, Mr. Sinclair, or into the English Opera to listen to a ballad of Wilson's. Sinclair he finds much where he left him many years ago-singing the same songs in the same way, and uttering with the same air the same sentiment, to introduce the symphony-" Here I am without a

penny in my pocket, like love among the roses!" Mr. Wilson is singing in De Pinna's opera, called The Rose of the Alhambra, and Miss Shirreff joins gracefully in the endeavour to give force and expression to the music. It is pleasing in parts, but as a whole wants novelty and character. It is not easy to criticize, because it is so hard to remember. The opera has, however, been quite successful, and those who stay in town, and must have music of one kind or the other, must make the most of it-for the Italian Opera, the Opera, is on the eve of closing, and Grisi, Tamburini, Rubini, and Lablache will in a few days more be "all abroad." The season here has been a splendid one, and, perhaps, the very oldest opera-goers, with all the help of romance to colour their reminiscences, will not pretend to have enjoyed more delightful evenings in the spring of youth than those on which these wonderful singers have worked their spells upon the "willing soul, and lapped it in Elysium."

So much for the music of the month. The performances at the Haymarket have been varied by the appearance of Mr. Vandenhoff in several of the leading parts of the drama, though the season was unsuited to them, and the company hopelessly incapable of supporting him. How absurd to see the walking-gentleman of Madame Vestris's theatre suddenly converted into the Iago of the Haymarket-but this, we presume, is not the fault of Mr. J. Vining, but the exquisite folly of the manager. And surely the master of the ceremonies at this house is the very pink of ancient gentlemen; the manager is certainly more amusing in his perversity than all his company put together. However, he is to reproduce Ion for our entertainment, having stumbled in the dark upon a brilliant notion: and Ellen Tree is to play the hero-how, we will not anticipate-and Mr. Vandenhoff will appear as Adrastus, which, we doubt not, will exhibit the author's power in this fine character in a light unknown to the Covent Garden performance.

The Strand Theatre, which opened with some excellent dramatic attempts, has found it necessary to seek its fortune in more vulgar paths; it has become quite a fashionable and flourishing establishment by the medium of a burlesque on Othello! Anything for a sensation. But we are glad to see that the manager does not bow, without a struggle, to this taste, but takes advantage of his popularity to slip in something of a better class-that may be tolerated for the sake of the absurdities that accompany it. This is a drama founded on a paper of Mr. Jerrold's in a rival Magazine; and it is put into its present form, under the title of An Old House in the City, either by Mr. Jerrold himself, or a very skilful and accomplished imitator. The plot is simple and striking, the characters boldly hit off, and the dialogue pointed enough. It is full of needles-sharp bright points of satire, that pierce you as you listen.

PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES.

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

THE following notes of a paper, lately read, on the economy of an insect destructive to turnips, by Mr. Yarrell, are applicable at the present season. This time last year the yellow fly was seen upon the young turnips. It was remembered by some farmers that this was the fly which prevailed in 1818, and which was followed by the caterpillars known by the name of the blacks. The eggs being deposited by the perfect insect in the leaf of the plant, the black caterpillar, or turnip-pest, speedily makes its appearance, feeding on the soft portions of the leaves of the turnips, and leaving the fibres un touched; and finally, casting its black skin, and assuming one of a more slaty or grey colour, it buries itself in the earth. Lodged there, it forms for itself, from the soil, a strong oval cocoon, from which some of the earlier broods pass almost immediately into the perfect state, filled with ova, and