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Mr. Millman has chosen for the vestibule occasion. "Whatever," says the author, to his elegant fabric.

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D. v. 1.

On the Safety Lamp for Coal Miners, with some Researches on Flame. By Sir Humphrey Davy. 8vo pp. 148.

This history of a most important invention is detailed in a truly scientific manner, and without any degree of egotism, though the author would have been justified in dwelling with some emphasis on the mean attempts that have been made to detract from his merits as an original discoverer. He states the disappointments which his first ideas on the subject occasioned, and with the same plainness he gives an account of the progressive steps by which he was led to the construction of the instrument, which will eternize his name." In plunging," says he, "a light, surrounded by a cylinder of fine wire gauze, into an explosive mixture, I saw the whole cylinder become quietly and gradually filled with flame; the upper part of it soon appeared red hot: yet no explosion was produced.

"It was easy at once to see that by increasing the cooling surface in the top, or in any other part of the lamp, the heat acquired by it might be diminished to any extent; and I immediately made a number of experiments to perfect this invention, which was evidently the one to be adopted, as it excluded the necessity of using glass, or any fusible or brittle substance in the lamp, and not only deprived the fire damp of its explosive powers, but rendered it an useful light."

Such was the spring of an invention which has now stood the test of experience in the most dangerous mines of Britain, and consequently been exposed to all circumstances which the variety of explosive mixtures can NEW MONTHLY MAG.-No.$7.

66

I may be the fate of the speculative part of this enquiry, I have no anxiety as to the practical results, or as to the unimpassioned and permanent judgment of the public on the manner in which they have been deve- . loped and communicated; and no fear that an invention for the preservation of human life and the diminution of human misery will be neglected or forgotten by posterity.

"When the duties of men coincide with their interests, they are usually performed with alacrity; the progress of civilization ensures the existence of all real improvements; and however light the qualification of possessing the good opinion of society, there is a still more exalted pleasure in the consciousness of having laboured to be useful."

III. The History of France, from the earliest periods to the second return of Louis XVIII. to the throne of his ancestors. With a chronological table

of contents; a contemporary list of Princes at the end of each King's reign; and an appendix containing a slight sketch of the political arrangements of Europe, as settled by the treaty of Paris. By FRANCES THURTLE. 12mo. pp. 307.

We were about to place this book in our list of school publications, but on proceeding through it, the plan and execution appeared

to be such as to claim for it a more dis

tinguished station. The early history of France is concisely, but correctly told, and as the fair author advances she very judi ciously becomes more minute in her details, without being so elaborate on some interesting subjects as to make it necessary to pass slightly over others of equal import, She has that happy art of compressing much information within a small compass, without being obscure, which so eminently characterised the genius of Goldsmith in his compendiums. The account which she has given of the dreadful eve of St. Bartholomew might be adduced as an instance of this; but the description of the battle of Waterloo is still more to the credit of her powers of describing a great and variegated sceno upon a small tablet. The style is chaste and correct; the narrative written throughout with a scrupulous regard to truth, and in no one instance have we marked an inclination to distort character, or to throw a shade over guilt. The cotemporary list of the sovereigns of Europe appended to each reign is extremely useful, and the notes occasionally subjoined are well adapted to illustrate the story, as well as to amuse the reader. As a specimen of the language and the sentiments, we shall here give the observations which wind up the whole.

"The allies justly suspected the French, and fearing that the intrigues of the Bronapartists might again involve Europe in th VOL. X. 2 K

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horrors of war, stipulated that a large army of their troops should occupy France for five years, and to be maintained at her expense. This was a wise and prudent measure; and it is to be hoped that when time has elapsed, France will have renounced for ever those lawless and visionary schemes of conquest, which have brought so much misery on Europe, and herself in particular; and will see that her true glory consists in an assiduous cultivation of the arts of peace, and a steady attachment to the mild government of her rightful monarch; a government as far removed from the despotic sway of the ancient regime, as from the anarchy of the revolution."

IV. Tales of my Landlord, second series, collected and arranged. By JEDEDIAH CLEISHBOTHAM, &c. 4 vols.

These volumes are, we conceive, every way inferior to their precursors, as well in incident as in general execution, and though they exhibit sufficient talent to exalt the character of an ordinary novel writer, they by no means increase the reputation of the author of Waverly and Guy Mannering. To Scotchmen, however, they may prove doubly attractive, as recalling to their minds the traditionary facts of their earlier days, and thereby creating those pleasing reminiscences which arise on a recurrence to past events. For ourselves, as Englishmen, we must confess that we have found this second series, if not tedious, certainly much less interesting than any of the previous productions of the same author. It is merely an illustration of the "Prison Calendar" of Edinburgh; and several of the "dramatis persona" are denizens of the Tolbooth of that town, formerly known by the cant appellation of "The Heart of Mid Lothian." The circumstance on which the successive incidents of this narrative principally hinge, is the murder of a Captain Porteous, who had been condemned to death for having fired unnecessarily on a crowd assembled to witness the execution of a person of the name of Wilson, who in conjunction with the hero of the story, Robinson, alias Staunton, (whose escape was effected by the daring intrepidity of his friend,) was tried and sentenced to die, for having plundered the Custom House of Fife, of their contraband goods, which had been seized and conveyed there. On the day appointed for the execution of Wilson, Porteous understanding, or affecting to understand, that a rescue was intended, on a slight disturbance fired among the collected crowd, and killed several innocent individuals, for which he was condemned to death by a jury of his country, but was reprieved by Queen Caroline, then Regent, during the King's absence at Hanover. The mob, however, instigated, and headed by the above mentioned Robinson, formed and put in force a plan for executing Captain Porteous,

[Oct. 1,

according to the original tenor of his sen-
tence, and having effected their purpose,
peaceably dispersed. Robinson, who is
a second Macheath, had previously con-
trived to seduce Effie Deans, the daughter
of a neighbouring cow-feeder, but the fruit
of their connexion having disappeared im-
mediately after its birth, the ill-fated mother
was supposed to have destroyed it. She
was of course tried, and on circumstantial
evidence found guilty of child murder,
though strenuously recommended to mercy.
Her elder sister Jeanie Deans, makes a pil-
grimage to London in order to obtain,
through the medium of the Duke of Argyle,
a remission of her punishment. On her
way, circumstances lead her to the house of a
turns out to be the father of Robinson, and
clergyman of the name of Staunton, who
after many disappointments, she is admitted
to an audience with Queen Caroline, to
whom she relates her story, and who gra-
ciously promises to obtain from the King
a pardon for her unfortunate sister. Thus
the object of her journey being fulfilled she
returns home, and in due time becomes the
wife of the friend and companion of her
childhood Reuben Butler, a Presbyterian
divine, who is promoted by the Duke of
Argyle to an excellent living on his estate.
Staunton marries Effie Deans; becomes
a baronet, and heir to a large estate, and
takes her with him to England: where the
memory of his former transactions is
entirely forgotten. He at length receives
his death from the hand of his son, who had
been taken away soon after his birth by the
mother of one of Staunton's former mis-
tresses, and placed under the care of a
smuggler and bandit, named Donachan
Dhu, in whose company he attacks his
father, with the intention of robbing him,
and kills him.

Nothing can be more absurd and improbable than the story of this book, which is spun out to an inordinate length, for the purpose, no doubt, of making it more voluminous and expensive. A great profusion of Scottish jargon, and puritanical cant occurs throughout the narrative, which of course helps to fill it up though it has not now even novelty to recommend it. A very current report prevails, that these volumes and their companions are from the pen of Walter Scott, who is denominated in most of the Scotch magazines the MIGHTY MINSTREL! but we have the best reasons for affirming that they were not written by that gentleman, but by his brother, and that the motives which induce the real author not to acknow

ledge them, are extremely politic and reasonable.

V. Poems, by ARTHUR BROOKE, Esq.

There is much pathetic poetry in this interesting little volume, and though we cannot subscribe to the opinions of its author on some points, we shall nevertheless feel happy to award him the full mced of praise

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New Publications, with Critical Remarks.

he is entitled to, for the genius by which it is so eminently characterized. Such a terrible tone of sincerity--such a fearful manifestation of the agonies of a wounded spirit breaks forth in almost every page, as to demand from our hearts a more than common sympathy. The author's fate appears to have been peculiarly unfortunate. We would not lift the veil of his sorrows, nor do we wish to enquire into the primitive causes of his uneasiness, but we do regret with much truth and earnestness, that a mind like his should be incapable of resorting to that most glorious of all consolations, which alone can brighten the face of woe,

"With more than rapture's ray,

As darkness shews us worlds of light
We never saw by day."

The poems of which Mr. Brooke's volume is comprized, are all " occasional." For ourselves, we confess we had rather seek the strength of a poet among those compositions in which he has given himself up to native impressions, and embodied his own feelings and regrets unpremeditatedly, than in such as have resulted from cold and speculative enquiry; for it is certain, that

"The poet's lyre t'ensure his fame Should be the poet's heart," and this because, as Tacitus has observed, "what is said under the infiuence of the passions is for the most part sincere." Nature often conceals in the inmost recesses of the human mind some genius unknown to its possessor; the passions have alone the power of bringing this to light, and of furnishing models infinitely more complete than art can possibly create. It is for this reason that the minor productions of a poet have not unfrequently been preferred to his more voluminous works. In a subject treated at considerable length, there must always be some dull passages, but occasional verses need last no longer than the inspired mo

ment.

It is a delicate task to particularize any flower" in a wreath where all are fair alike." We cannot, however, help observing, that the verses entitled "The Suicide" are remarkable for a force of thought and energy of expression which has not often been surpassed. There is, also, a fine apostrophe to Sleep, and an animated address to Lord Byron, worthy of the illustrious subject which inspired it.

VI. The Northern Courts; containing original Memoirs of the Sovereigns of Sweden and Denmark, since 1766. By MR. JOHN BROWN. 2 vols. 8vo.

It was our intention to have gone pretty closely into an examination of the secret history which these volumes affect to develope, but as Mister John Brown has concealed his authorities, the task would be something like that of endeavouring to delineate the ever shifting mirage in an eastern desert, which assumes a new ap

251

pearance every moment. If we are to believe the compiler, he is a man deeply acquainted with all the secret springs that have actuated the northern courts for many years; but we should have felt inclined to give him more credit had he told his stories with somewhat less of egotism, and instead of saying that Mister Brown did this, and Mister Brown observed that, he had given us chapter and verse for what he relates. This insufferable vanity is rendered still more odious by the vulgar abuse which in every page is thrown out upon personages of the highest eminence. The exiled king of Sweden, who by the bye is here stated to have been illegitimate, comes in for the largest share of this calumny, and such is the industrious malignity of the writer, that he cannot even narrate any thing to the disparagement of the monarch, without endeavouring to raise a laugh at his misfortunes. The unfeeling spirit, however, in which the whole work is composed, will, we have no doubt, be quite sufficient to destroy the effect it was intended to produce. We are not disposed to justify the eccentricities of Gus tavus, but in spite of the obloquy that has been so illiberally thrown upon him, thus much we will maintain, that his conduct, in the great struggle for the liberties of Europe, was much more consistent, disinterested, and magnanimous than that of the powers who in a more lucky hour followed his example, and have since abandoned both him and his family. The editor of this work assumes the credit of having been employed by the discontented party in Sweden, to negociate with the British Government for its co-operation in the revolution of that kingdom, with the view of placing one of our Princes on the throne. That Prince is said to have been the Duke of Gloucester, and Mister Brown gives us to understand that he had many interviews with the Right Hon. Spencer Perceval on the subject, till that minister finding what a dangerous predicament he was about to involve himself in, broke off the negociation, which ended reinfecta, and thus because our court would not take a part with the Swedish insurgents, Bernadotte became the Crown Prince, and now sways the sceptre over the Scandinavian peninsula. All this may possibly be true, but as we have nothing more for it than the report of Mister Brown, who has not shown himself over nice in his rela

tions, we shall dismiss the whole without any other remark than credat Judæus !

ARTS, FINE.

Elements of Anatomy, designed for the use of Students in the Fine Arts. By J. B. Sharpe. Royal 8vo. 10s.

BIOGRAPHY.

Memoirs of Count de Las Casas, the companion of Napoleon, communicated by himself. 8vo. 8s. 6d.

Memoirs of the Life of John Wesley, the

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New Publications, with Critical Remarks.

Founder of the English Methodists. Robert Southey, esq. 2 vols. 8vo.

BOTANY.

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By dogmatic, and controversial matter which too generally disfigures even those commentaries that are professedly published for

A System of Physiological Botany. By the edification of ordinary Christians. the Rev. P. Keith. 8vo. 26s.

CHEMISTRY.

A Treatise on the General Principles of Chemical Analysis, translated from the French of L. J. Thenard. By Arnold Merrick. 8vo. pp. 324.

The best account we can give of this useful work is in the words of the translator, who says, that its object is to explain the means by which the practical chemist, unaccustomed to analysis, may discover and separate the constituents of a gaseous, liquid, or solid combination or mixture, and ascertain the weight or volume of each constituent. In the original this treatise forms the concluding volume of Thenard's Chemistry, published in 1816. A few slight alterations, and numerous additions, consisting principally of extracts from the other volumes, have been made by the translator, with a view to render it less incomplete as a separate work. Three plates are likewise given, taken from those referred to in the original. With regard to nomenclature, it may be useful to state, that chemical names of compound bodies are contrived to give an idea of the nature of the combinations, by ́uniting the names of the constituents, and varying their terminations."

Upon the whole, we think the translator has rendered an acceptable service to English Chemists by this publication, and he has evidently taken no small pains to render it worthy of their patronage.

DIVINITY.

The Spirit of the Gospel, or the Four Evangelists elucidated by Explanatory Observations, Historical References, and Miscellaneous Illustrations. By the Rev. Wm. Stephen Gilly, M. A. Rector of North Fambridge, Essex. 8vo. 10s.

This volume is an exposition of the four Gospels on a plain and instructive plan, tending to remove the principal difficulties, and to illustrate the most prominent beauties. "Where it was necessary to have recourse to ancient or foreign authorities, the substance is communicated through the medium of a translation. The author has likewise taken every opportunity of admitting such matter as may sometimes relieve the mind from the contemplation of graver topics, and fix it upon those graces with which the Holy Memoirs are frequently interspersed. An historical reference, a tale or anecdote to the point, a custom or characteristic of the age or country in which our Saviour lived, or an elegant turn which some ancient or modern poet may have given to the subject-these have not been rejected, where they could be subjoined with consistency and effect."The book, we have no doubt, will be useful to families, as it is cleared of all that dry,

Sermons on various Subjects. By Samuel Seabury, Bishop of Connecticut. 2 vols. 8vo. 18s.

An Appeal to Scripture and Tradition, in Defence of the Unitarian Faith. 12mo. 6s. Sermons. By the Rev. John Venn, vol. 3. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

Sermons on several Subjects and Occasions. By William Hett. A. M.

The Scripture Testimony to the Messiah. By John Pye Smith, D. D. 8vo. 14s.

Sermons, in which the connection is traced between a belief of the Truth of Revelation, and the Character, Comfort, and Prospects of Christians. By the Rev. M. Jackson. 8vo. 12s.

God is Christ, set forth in two Letters to a Friend, with Observations on Mr. MacLean's Tract on the Sonship of Jesus Christ. 8vo. 2s. 6d.

Original Sin, Free-will, Grace, Regenera-' tion, Justification, Faith, Good Works, and Universal Redemption, as maintained in certain Declarations of our Reformers, which are the ground-work of the Articles of our Established Church upon these Subjects; with an important Account of the Subscription to the Articles in 1604, and an historical and critical Introduction to the whole. By the Rev. H. J. Todd. 8vo. 7s.

An irrefragable solution of that hitherto dark Scripture Enigma the Genealogy of Jesus Christ. By John Gorton. 8vo. Is.

DRAMA.

A History of the London Theatres, containing an annual Register of New Pieces, Revivals, Pantomimes, &c. from the year 1795 to 1817 inclusive. By W. C. Oulton. 3 vols.

This is a very entertaining publication, and is replete with much useful and valuable information. The matter appears to have been arranged with great care and judgment, and before it could have been digested into its present form, must have required no common share of perseverance and industry. The public are indebted to the prolific pen of Mr. Oulton, for a great variety of dramatic pieces, and among the rest, the "Sleep Walker," one of the most ingenious Farces extant, and a History of the London Theatres from 1771 to 1795.As a very moderate price is required for the present publication, we have no doubt but that it will circulate as extensively as it deserves, and remunerate the author for the time and attention he must necessarily have employed upon it.

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well merits public encouragement, and ought to occupy a place in every juvenile library. The story is interesting, and enlivened by a variety of lively sketches of manners calculated to improve the heart, while the dialogues on architecture, heraldry, and antiquities, contribute very much to enlarge the understanding.

Juvenile Geography. By J. Bissett. 18mo. 2s. 6d.

Advice to the Teens, or Practical Helps towards the formation of one's own Cha

racter. 8vo. 5s.

The School-Fellows, a Moral Tale. By the Author of the "Twin Sisters," &c.

There are no writers more valuable to society than those who have for their object the inculcation of virtuous principles in the minds of the rising generation, and we are confident that even superior talents are not degraded by being applied to so useful and creditable a purpose. Whilst we allow, with the Authoress of the ingenious little volume before us, that "in our childhood are sown the seeds of our future actions," we cannot but reflect with gratitude on the advantages which must have resulted to the present age from the exertions of an Edgeworth, a Barbauld, and a Trimmer; as we are convinced they have done more towards ameliorating the morals of the country, than any other writers whatsoever-to those, therefore, whose aims are similar, and whose talents, if not equal, are at least respectable, we are inclined to offer the most cordial encouragement.

We feel much pleasure, then, in pronouncing "The School-fellows" to be a clever and interesting production, every way calculated to fulfil the intentions of its amiable authoress.

An Essay on Spanish Literature, containing its History, from the commencement of the 12th century, to the present time. By A. Anaya. pp. 176.

Discours sur la maniere d'apprendre Les Langues Vivantes, et particulierement L'Italienne et L'Espagnole. Par A. Anaya. pp. 122.

We owe some apology to Mr. Anaya, for having so long delayed to notice these use ful volumes. An essay on Spanish literature has been always a desideratum to the admirers of the Castilian tongue, and it is rather singular that, while so many authors have chosen to descant on the literature of almost every other country, no one has given to the world any regular detail of the progress of the belles lettres in Spain. Mr. A. has, however, remedied this defect, and afforded, in a brief but condensed essay, the English student an opportunity of forming a comparative judgment on the merits of the most distinguished Spanish writers, from the 12th century to the present time. Besides a general sketch, the work contains an appendix, in which are introduced specimens of

253.

the verse, as well as prose, of the various writers alluded to in the essay, with biographical notices in the form of notes, which add very materially to its interest and usefulness. From the Essay, also, on the method of learning the living languages, much valuable information may be derived, as it contains not only an account of the idioms peculiar to the French and Italian writers, but likewise a treatise on their poetical licences, with a vocabulary of the words more particularly adapted to poetry. On the whole it is as admirable an elementary work as any we have seen of the kind for many years.

HISTORY.

Letters on French History, from the earliest period to the Battle of Waterloo, and re-establishment of the House of Bourbon, for the use of Schools. By J. Bigland. 12mo. 6s.

MEDICINE.

A Supplement to the Pharmacopœias; including not only the Drugs and Compounds used by Professional Practitioners, but those which are sold by Chemists, Druggists, and Herbalists, &c. By Samuel Frederick Gray, Lecturer on the Materia Medica, &c. 8vo. pp. 378.

The intention of this very useful volume is to give a concise account of the actual state of our knowledge of drugs in general, using that term in its most extensive signification, and on this account it bears the title of a Supplement to the Pharmacopoeia of the London College. The work, however, is complete in itself, and comprehends all that is necessary to be known of the substances used in medicine, together with the modes of preparation. But the author has not confined himself merely to a classification of drugs, and the pharmaceutical formula according to regular practice. By adding the composition of many empirical remedies, or the imitations of them, and giving besides a variety of practical information for the direction of those who are not of the profession, he has rendered his book an excellent companion to the family medical chest, and a much better domestic guide than any of the compilations which are now passed upon the credulous public under that imposing title.

The Art of preserving the Feet, or practical Instructions for the prevention and cure of Corns, Bunnions, Callosities, Chilblains, &c. By an experienced Chiropedist. 12mo. pp. 239.

In a well written preface the ingenious author of this manual observes, "If trifles make the sum of human bliss, they too often produce the sum of human misery, and it will generally be found that the most serious results have proceeded from circumstances apparently of little importance at the outset. The feet indeed are most out of sight, but they ought not therefore to he most out of mind. They are both literally

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