Had Mira

will of his compatriots. beau been a common man, he would have been irretrievably ruined over and over again long before this period of his life he was always treading the path of destruction :-at the time the approaching revolution in France, opened to him his bright, though brief career of glory, he was rejected by his family, cast off by his father, deeply covered with debt, disowned by his wife, avoided by all people of character, plunged in base intrigues, leaving one mistress only to take another, suspected by the government; earning the mere pittance of his daily bread by intense labour; wandering from country to country, with the stains of a double imprisonment upon him :such was the situation of the man,

who, in a few short months, emerged like a star from his obscurity, and astonished all Europe by the boldness and energy with which he placed himself at the head of the great movements taking place, by the vastness of his views, by his moral power, his civil wisdom, his philosophical arguments, by the fertility of his resources, the promptitude of his measures, and above all by his captivating, commanding, overpowering eloquence. He was born to direct the whirlwind of such a stormy crisis.-What he would have become, had public tranquillity been preserved, had he been confined to the engagements and duties of private life, would be curious to conjecture. Probably he would have spent his mornings in draining marshes and reclaiming deserts; and his evenings in forming political theories, and writing against taxes, debts, loans, stockjobbing, &c. if he was not in the meanwhile, by the interest of the farmers-general and the agisteurs, shut up for the remainder of his restless life in a comfortable castle, where he could make love to the gaoler's daughter, and get in debt with her father.

Romance of History. India. 3 vols. By Rev. H. CAUNTER.-We had a great desire to peruse these volumes, as we like oriental subjects, and, if approving, to recommend them: but unfortunately, notwithstanding all our endeavours, our ivory

Nomenclator Poeticus: or the Quantities of all the Proper Names that occur in the Latin Classic Poets, from B.C. 190 to A. D. 500. Ascertained by quotations, including examples of every species of metre used by them. By Lancelot Sharpe, M. A.

HERE is a work of undoubted use

fulness, and evidently the result of much industry, original apparently in its design, and ingenious as well as correct in its execution. No book that we are acquainted with, none assuredly that has found its way into our Schools and Colleges, can at all pretend to answer the purpose which the title of this clever little volume so distinctly

announces.

The Master of St. Saviour's School, in the Borough of Southwark, is well known by those who have the pleasure to know him, as a gentleman and a

scholar, possessing fine taste and ste ling elegance of mind. His accuracy, erudition, and good sense, are abundantly shown in a short but well written Preface; and the Chronological Table of Authors displays the same character of precision and clearness which more or less pervades every page of the book.

Of a volume which contains more than 7,000 articles, one cannot pretend to speak but from inspection by We have specimen of its contents. examined it by repeated trials, ad operturam libri, with uniform satisfaction in all instances which admit of being readily determined.

Wherever a doubt can arise, Mr. Sharpe, by some brief notice, puts the reader on his guard; and in referring to questionable metres, as those of Plautus, if while the proper name itself is well secured, the scansion is otherwise dubious, Mr. Sharpe has given sufficient warning that such difficulties may exist, both by a general acknowledgment in the Preface, and by so exhibiting to the reader's eye, each line severally quoted, that he may investigate and decide for himself. C. P. M.

scalping-knife, with which literally we cut up authors, refused to perform its customary office, and we could not get it through half a dozen pages in any volume; it was like the Hindoo princess's buffalos, it refused to proceed; and neither threats

nor coaxes would avail. What is therefore contained in the work, we cannot say; but we should suppose much what the learned Mr. Norden says is to be found in his work on Egypt. • Here the reader will be delighted with landscapes of the country on each side. Here he sees level lawns, and there frightful precipices; here wild deserts, there cultivated plains; is one while charmed with groves of palm trees, at another time struck with admiration of the numerous cities that border on the river with crescents towering to the sky: rivers, mountains, monuments, magnificent buildings, cataracts, deserts, haunts of wild beasts, or men as savage as they; every thing that can attract the eye, or affect the imagination, is here exposed to view. In short, the reader here seems to accompany the author in his voyage, and to share all his pleasures, without undergoing the fatigues and dangers." We have no doubt that these promises will be performed: and, in conclusion, we wish every reader a better ivory knife than our

own.

How to observe-Geology. By H. T. DE LA BECHE.-This work, as its title imports, is an arrangement of the facts necessary to be observed by the disciple of Geology; together with the mode of investigating and noting down any phænomena he may meet with in his researches. Although nothing new is offered to the more advanced students, yet the observations are so simple and familiar the inferences so purely deductive and obvious-and the visionary dreams of this science, so markedly censured and unveiled, that even they must peruse this little volume with interest, benefit, and pleasure. Every page breathes forth a philosophic spirit, whilst at the same time it represses enthusiasm, censures all vague and unmeaning exclamations of How wonderful!' and inculcates precision both in observation and induction. In page 121, we are somewhat surprised that the author of the Geological Manual should attempt to throw discredit upon the theory that æras may be relatively determined by the organic exuvia which they contain; but we opine that his argument only holds good under the supposition that they are compared exclusively with the remains found in the neighbouring sea, and not when contrasted with the whole known existing creation. It is a fact, as true as it is curious, that hitherto no subjacent stratum has been found containing a greater percentage of existing molluscs than any of its superior ones; and until some such

fact is demonstrable, and the fallacy of the present mode of computation be thus experimentally exposed, the theory has great, though perhaps not unexceptionable, claims to our credence and adoption. Whether the hypothesis, however, be true or fallacious, all must be satisfied with the results thence produced, that of arousing the public mind, and drawing numbers into the science of oryctology, who might otherwise have expended their time and talents in luxurious inactivity or mental torpor.

Account of New Zealand, &c. By the Rev. WILLIAM YATE. 1835.-A very interesting and accurate account of a remote and singular people, and of the progress that has been made by civilization and Christianity among them. There are many curious and affecting details in the work; and many beautiful instances of the devotion of the missionaries and their families to the task of instruction and of love which they had undertaken. We may have an opportunity at a future time of entering into detail on this subject, when Mr. Yate's book will be the best guide to us which we have yet seen. We wish however just to take a rapid survey of the vegetable riches of the island; one species of which, its 'flax,' is now fast superseding the hemp of Europe. The whole country is covered with the most luxuriant fern, growing nine or ten feet high; and 57 species have already been discovered. The forests are magnificent, and are totally different in appearance from those of New South Wales or Van Diemen's Land. The palm is abundant; the arborescent, or tree-fern, grows from 20 to 30 feet high; six immense leaves forming a crown at the top. The whole ground is matted with roots; the whole land filled with evergreen forests, as beautiful in Winter as in Summer. Timber and flax form the staple trade of the island. The first tree mentioned is the Dammara Australis, or Pinus Kauni; it grows to 93 feet, with a diameter of 36 or even 40 feet; the leaves like the box; it overtops all the other trees of the forest. Besides this, Mr. Yate mentions the names and gives the descriptions of about twenty forest trees, of size, and excellence of wood: among which the Puriri (vitex littoralis), has derived the name of the New Zealand oak, from its hardness and durability. The Ornithology appears rich and new but the only indigenous quadrupeds are a species of rat and lizard. The climate is temperate and fine; the soil good, but difficult to cultivate, from being filled with matted roots. As for

the people, Mr. Yate says, there is no doubt they are anthropophagi-eating the enemies they slay in battle: for the crime of infanticide, of which we have heard so much, it seems to arise from the jealousy occasioned by polygamy; which is fast decreasing. Infant schools are established, and parts of the Scriptures, as Genesis and St. Matthew, translated. There appears no want of natural talent in any of the natives. Mr. Yate informs us, that the New Zealanders have a distinct name for every tree and plant in the island, of which there are six or seven hundred. When Baron Hagel made his collection, a native was called in to tell their names, which he gave without hesitation; some of these are very minute, and brought from obscure situations. With one single exception, he gave the same name to each of 300 species he had given the night before. There are some very interesting letters, from the Natives to the Missionaries, given in this volume.

On the Educational Institutions of Germany. By G. P. R. JAMES, Esq.-Mr. James appears to have applied his attention to this important subject, more closely and zealously than any other person with whom we are acquainted; and he has given us a very interesting account of the system of Education in some of the German States. He has pointed out some mistakes made by Lord Brougham on this subject, as well as by M. Cousin ; and he urgently, as wisely, presses on the attention of Ministers the necessity of establishing a national system of Education in this country, on the same principles as those in Germany; but of course adapted to our constitution and civil institutions. Connected with this, Mr. James has also severely yet justly remarked the long total neglect of literature by the Government, and contrasts it with the conduct of other Governments, whom we are too apt to consider as far inferior in refinement and knowledge to ourselves.

The Philosophy of Morals. By ALEXANDER SMITH, B.A. 2 vols.-This is the work of a very acute reasoner, a good and ready logician, and a moralist well and intimately acquainted with the different theories and views of those who have preceded him in his interesting in quiry. Some of his objections, as those met with in the earlier parts of the first volume, show a mind well trained to subtle and close trains of reasoning; and, however his readers may agree with Mr. Smith in his general views, they must admire his clear, perspicuous, and intelligent

method of argument, whether in advancing truths, or in urging objections. We are sorry that we cannot lay before our readers even a short analysis of the leading principles; but we cannot conclude without expressing our admiration of the concluding parts, in which the Evidences of Religion are considered, and the objections refuted, with the elegance of a philosopher, and the rational piety of a Christian. To those who have no taste for, or rather who do not like the trouble of hard thinking, which the other parts require, this latter cannot fail to command their attention and approbation.

Land and Sea Tales. By the Author of Tough Yarns, &c. 2 vols.-The first Tale, for its utter improbability, its want of nature and of truth, and disgusting horror of the subject, we condemn. The second is better. The third is dull; and the Warlock is too much an imitation of Cooper.

Mahmoud. 3 vols.-There is something of beauty and of mystery attached to the East; something connected with the religion, the philosophy, the opinions, and customs of the Mahomedans, with their luxurious climate, their splendid scenery, their barbaric institutions, their despotic and wild government, their roving and changeful life, that takes strong hold of the imagination, and only wants being disposed and brought forward by a writer of ordinary skill and knowledge, to be attractive and successful. Mr. Hope's Anastasius, we think, is the parent of the many tales and romances, prose and verse, that have followed, which have been placed in the same country, and have described similar adventures and situations. The present is neither unskilfully nor unpleasingly written: and certainly has the power of keeping curiosity alive through a long train of very strange (if the author had not forewarned us, we should have said improbable) vicissitudes and wonderful passages in human life; and it appears written by a person familiarly acquainted with the countries where the action is laid. We cannot say much for the justice of the moral, or the happy termination of the plot; but we are fully aware that authors have not now-a-days time to attend to all the minutiae of a fable :-and as the Public keeps crying out for a fresh dish,"Coming, Sir! Coming directly!" is the answer they must give.

The Soldier's Help to the Knowledge of Divine Truths. By the Rev. G. R. GLEIG, Chaplain to Chelsea Hospital.—The ob

ject of Mr. Gleig was to select such topics from Scripture History, as might awaken the attention and engage the feelings of the audience to whom his sermons were delivered. Perhaps this was no very easy task; considering how the mental faculties, and the moral sense, in these septua genarians and octogenarians were blunted by age, by a long and careless life, and habits of sensual indulgence. We think, however, that he has presented a volume well adapted for its purpose, if it is to be followed up by others less historical, and dwelling more on the great privileges and benefits of Christianity, and the corresponding duties and feelings which it demands.

Thoughts in the Cloister and the Crowd. 8vo -A work of a man of thought, philosophy, learning, and piety.

The Parables explained to a Child. By the author of Mamma's Lessons.-We can find no fault with this little work. The explanations are clear and just; never forced to support any peculiarity of opinion; and never pressed beyond their proper limits.

The History of the Assassins. By O. C. WOOD, M.D.-This work is from the German of M. Van Hammer, and is replete with learning, and complete knowledge of the subject. The History is of much interest and curiosity; and we recommend it to attention.

The Rationality of Revealed Religion, &c. By P. J. BUTLER, B.A.—A volume of very excellent discourses; in which many of the important and leading doctrines and duties of the Christian religion are examined with accuracy, explained with clearness, and enlarged on with considerable eloquence. There are everywhere marks of the most sincere piety, accompanied with knowledge, judgment, and learning. The fifth sermon, on the Divine Foreknowledge, has given the result of what can be reasoned out on such a subject by our finite capacities, with clearness and truth.

The New Botanist's Guide, &c. By H. C. WATSON, vol. 1. England and Wales. -Mr. Watson's name, as a botanist, has has been known to us before. The present volume does great credit to his diligence and his arguments; and is by far the most ample and accurate list of native plants we possess. The volume is cheap and commodious. We hope the author will be induced, from the success of this, to publish his admirable little work on the

Geography of Plants, which we have only seen through the kindness of a friend, and which we should like to possess.

Xenophontis Anabasis. By ALEXANDER NEGRIS. For the use of Schools. 12mo.An excellent edition, neatly printed, with a good text, and critical and useful notes. With regard to the note, p. 237, on a passage in p. 119, on the soldiers becoming intoxicated by eating a particular honey; to the note of Spelman should be added, that the flowers of Azalea Lutea, the common yellow azalea, native to the Crimea, is well known to make honey deleterious, as well as the rhododendron. Of this fact there is, we believe, no doubt.

The Consolations of Christianity, &c. By the Rev. W. HULL.-This is a very small work in compass, consisting only of four discourses; but they are the fruit of learning and reflection, and good taste; are well reasoned and elegantly expressed. In the author's religious views, as expressed in his Preface, we quite agree.

Sermons. By W. E. TRENCHARD, M. A, -Mr. Trenchard's Sermons we think exceedingly adapted for the spiritual improvement of the persons to whom they were delivered; and may be read with pleasure and advantage by the most educated. Our Church is indeed rich in this department of theology: Gilpin, we believe, set the first example of the true, plain, familiar, parochial sermon; and it has been admirably followed up, particularly in the present day. If our congregations starve, it is their own fault; for the bread which is offered them, is "from the wheat of the Valley of Heshbon."

Manual of British Vertebrated Animals. &c. By the Rev. L. JENYNS, M.A. -This is a work of great research, arranged in a very scientific manner, and full of the most interesting information. We have read it with instruction and delight, and hope to be able to give a few notes on it.

Posthumous Records of a London Clergyman: edited by the Rev. H. CAUNTER. -The object of this work, in the author's words, is to solve the great Christian moral-that retribution immediately follows delinquency; and to enforce some of the sublime truths of Christianity, by showing, in the way of practical illustration, the issues of moral good and evil. He has taken the history of a clergyman

The English Boy at the Cape. 3 vols. 12mo. An interesting story, by the author of Keeper's Travels.' It contains much information for the juvenile reader. The principles inculcated are good; but the descriptions are sometimes rather lengthy, and the language involved. Margaret's character, in the first volume, occupies three whole chapters: still, amiable as she is, we are almost tired of her. But the interest of the story where the little adventurer is left alone in the wilds of Southern Africa, induces us to pardon this defect. A future edition may advan-. tageously be compressed into one, or at most two, volumes.

Coins of the Romans relating to Britain, described and illustrated by John Yonge Akerman, F.S.A. 12mo. pp. 90.

THE object of this little work is to bring under one view the Coins of the Romans which relate to the Province of Britain. The interest which attaches to such authentic and speaking monuments of the early history of our country, will be generally admitted. To a British collector, a single Coin, directly referring to his own country, will naturally bear a far higher value than scores recounting the progress of other empires. In his view, those which bear allusions most intelligible and certain will take the first place, but as

the certainty of the appropriation is lessened, so will the interest be diminished. It is obvious that an ingenious theorist might fancy an endless number of allusions to Britain on the Coins of the Roman emperors; but, though some of them would probably be correct, we think Mr. Akerman, in performing his patriotic task, has very judiciously confined himself to those only which have a direct allusion to Britain, either bearing the word BRI TANNIA at length, or in a contracted form, or such as there is good reason to suppose were minted in this country.

The emperors who have coins coming into this class are: Claudius, Britannicus, Hadrianus, Antoninus Pius, Commodus, Severus, Caracaila, Geta, Carausius, Allectus, Constantinus, (the empress) Fausta, Crispus, and Constantius the younger: of most of these two or three, of some seven or eight. They are here very faithfully drawn, and engraved in six plates, by Mr. H. A. Ogg; besides a few introduced as woodcuts. Mr. Akerman remarks that some which are figured in Camden, Speed, and other writers on the early history of Britain, are so unlike the originals as to cause much embarrassment to the inexperienced collector; and even Pinkerton, who was ever ready to pounce upon the errors of others, contented himself with copying ill-engraved and unauthenticated representations. It is a circumstance highly advantageous to the progress of knowledge, that the point on which the best modern antiquaries chiefly plume themselves, is accuracy and fidelity.

We extract, as a specimen, a coin of Carausius, the legend on the reverse of which seems evidently to refer to his memorable descent upon Britain, which, with the shores of Gaul, formed the sole seat of his empire.