Any single plate of "Gems of Art," may also be had separately, at the following prices:

The Landscapes at 4s.-Proofs, 6s.-India Paper Proofs, 7s. 6d. each. The Fancy Subjects, at 5s.-Proofs, 79.India Paper Proofs, 8s. 6d. cach.

"Evening," painted by Richard Wilson, R.A. and engraved by S. W. Reynolds, from a picture in the possession of Frederick Perkins, Esq.

"A Magdalene," painted by Correggio, and engraved by S. W. Reynolds. The original picture in the Dresden Gallery.

"The Cottage," a moonlight scene, painted by T. Gainsborough, R.A. and engraved by S. W. Reynolds, from the original picture in the possession of Dr. Monro. This extraordinary production of Gainsborough is exhibited by artificial light in the Exhibition of Drawings, 9, Soho

square, 1824.

Landscape and Cows," painted by Thomas Gainsborough, R.A. and engraved by S. W. Reynolds, from the original picture in the possession of Dr. Monro, exhibited in the year 1824, by artificial light, at the Exhibition of Drawings, 9, Soho-square.

Others by Michael Angelo, Raphael, Parmegiano, Dominichino, Claude, Rubens, Rembrandt, Vandyke, Teniers, Cuyp, Hobbima, Vandervelde, Ruysdael, Canalletti, Vanderneer, Murillo, J. Jackson, R.A., Richard Wilson, R.A., Thomas Gainsborough, R.A., W. Howard, R.A., T. Stothard, R.A., W. Hamilton, R.A. &c. &c.

THE RIVERS OF ENGLAND,

Several valuable pictures having been lent to this publication, in the most liberal manner, by noblemen and gentlemen possessing splendid collections, subscribers will have the benefit of this generous gift, as the price affixed to the work is determined merely by a calculation of the expence of engraving the plates only, and not upon the purchase or loan of pictures; consequently, the public will From drawings by J. M. W. Turner, R.A., W. Collins, have the advantage of possessing a most beautiful collection R.A., and the late Thomas Girtin. Engraved on highlyof engravings, from some of the finest pictures and draw-finished mezzotinto, on steel, by eminent engravers, and ings dispersed throughout the country, on terms decidedly printed uniform with Cooke's in their favour. The volume will be complete in itself; and," to which "The Rivers of England" forms a coinSouthern Coast of Engthe subjects introduced will be only such as possess a firstpanion. rate talent and character, and of that class which may meet the most delicate eye and refined taste.

CONTENTS OF PART 1.

"Rembrandt's Mill," painted by Rembrandt, and engraved by Charles Turner, from a picture in the possession of the most noble the Marquess of Lansdowne.

"The Traveller," a landscape, painted by Cuyp, and engraved by Thomas Lupton, from a picture in the possession of the Right Honourable the "Earl of Carlisle, K.G. &c. &c.

"Angels," painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds; engraved by W. Ward. A.R.A.

"A Rainbow," scene on the river Exe, Devonshire;

drawn by Thomas Girtin, and engraved by Charles Turner,

from a drawing in the possession of James Vine, Esq.

"The Cottage Girl." painted by Gainsborough, and engraved by Charles Turner, from a picture in the possession of the Right Honourable Lord de Dunstanville."

CONTENTS OF PART II.

"Meditation," painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds, and engraved by W. Ward, A.R.A. in the possession of M. M. Zachary, Esq. This beautiful picture has never yet been engraved.

Chelsea Reach, looking towards Battersea." drawn by Thomas Girtin, and engraved by T. Lupton, from an admirable specimen of the artist, in the possession of B. G. Windus, Esq.

"The Holy Family." painted by Proccacini, and engraved by S. W. Reynolds, from a picture in the possession of Frederick Perkins, Esq.

"A distant View of Rome, from Tivoli." painted by Gasper Poussin, and engraved by S. W. Reynolds, from a splendid picture in the possession of Frederick Perkins, Esq. This valuable picture has never yet been engraved. A Moonlight River Scene," painted by Cuyp, and engraved by S. W. Reynolds.

The work is published in numbers, each containing three views. Royal quarto, 10s. each number. Proofs, imperial quarto, 14s. India paper proofs, 16s.

Twelve numbers will form a volume, which will be complete in itself, containing thirty-six views of English river scenery, displaying a series of picturesque delineations of the interior landscape beauties of the country, with the characteristic features of the cities and towns through which the rivers flow, and presenting unbounded variety in others of a marine and open character, towards their conflux with the sea.

"Dartmouth Castle," Devonshire, on the River Dart, drawn by J. M. W. Turner, R.A. and engraved by Thomas Lupton.

"Kirkstall Abbey," Yorkshire, on the River Aire, drawn by the late Thomas Girtin, and engraved by W. Say. From the original drawing in the possession of B. G. Windus, Esq.

"Dartmouth," Devonshire, on the River Dart, drawn by J. M. W. Turner, R.A. and engraved by S. W. Reynolds.

for they chased the fish at full gallop, and struck them with their barbed spears, as you see hunters spearing boars in the old tapestry. The salmon, to be sure, take the thing more quietly than the boars; but they are so swift in their own element, that to pursue and strike them is the task of a good horseman, with a quick eye, a determined hand, and full command both of his horse and weapon. The shouts of the fellows as they gallopped up and down in the animating exercise-their loud bursts of laughter when any of their number caught a fall-and still louder acclamations when any of the party made a capital stroke with his lance -gave so much animation to the whole scene, that I caught the enthusiasm of the sport, and ventured forward a considerable space on the sands. The feats of one horseman, in particular, called forth so repeatedly the clamourous applause of his companions, that the very banks rang again with their shouts. He was a tall man, well mounted on a strong black horse, which he caused to turn and wind like a bird in the air, carried a longer spear than the others, and wore a sort of fur cap or bonnet, with a short feather in it, which gave him on the whole rather a superior appearance to the other fishermen. He seemed to hold some sort of authority among them, and occasionally directed their motions both by voice and hand; at which times I thought his gestures were striking, and his voice uncommonly sonorous and commanding.

water. I began to have odd thoughts concerning the snugness of your father's parlour, and the secure footing afforded by the pavement of Brown's Square and Scot's Close, when my better genius the tall fisherman appeared once more close to my side, he and his sable horse looming gigantic in the now darkening twilight.

"Are you mad?' he said, in the same deep tone which had before thrilled on my ear, or are you weary of your life?-You will be presently amongst the quicksands.'-I professed my ignorance of the way, to which he only || replied, "There is no time for prating-get up behind me.' "He probably expected me to spring from the ground with the activity which these Borderers have, by con stant practice, acquired in all relating to horsemanship; but as I stood irresolute, he extended his hand, and grasping mine, bid me place my foot on the toe of his boot, and thus raised me in a trice to the croupe of his horse. I was scarce securely seated, ere he shook the reigns of his horse, who instantly sprung forward; but annoyed, doubtless, by the unusual burthen, treated us to two or three bounds. accompanied by as many flourishes of his hind heels. The rider sat like a tower, notwithstanding that the unexpected plunging of the animal threw me forward upon him. The horse was soon compelled to submit to the discipline of the spur and bridle, and went off at a steady hand gallop; thus shortening the devious, for it was by no means a direct "The riders began to make for the shore, and the in-path, by which the rider, avoiding the loose quicksands. terest of the scene was almost over, while I lingered on the made for the northern bank.' sands, with my looks turned to the shores of England, still gilded by the sun's last rays, and, as it seemed, scarce distant a mile from me. The anxious thoughts which haunt me began to muster in my bosom, and my feet slowly and insensibly approached the river which divided me from the forbidden precincts, though without any formed intention, when my steps were arrested by the sound of a horse gallopping; and as I turned, the rider (the same fisherman whom I had formerly distinguished) called out to me, in an abrupt manner, Soho, brother! you are too late for Bowness to-night-the tide will make presently."

"I turned my head and looked at him without answering; for, to my thinking, his sudden appearance (or rather I should say his unexpected approach) had, amidst the gathering shadows and lingering light, something which was wild and ominous.

"Are you deaf?' he added- or are you mad?—or have you a mind for the next world?'

"I am a stranger,' I answered, and had no other purpose than looking on at the fishing-I am about to return to the side I came from.'

6

"Best make haste then,' said he. He that dreams on the bed of the Solway, may wake in the next world. The sky threatens a blast that will bring in the waves three foot

a-breast.'

"So saying he turned his horse and rode off, while I began to walk back towards the Scottish shore, a little alarmed at what I had heard; for the tide advances with such rapidity upon these fatal sands, that well-mounted horsemen lay aside hopes of safety, if they see its white surge advancing while they are yet at a distance from the bank.

"These recollections grew more agitating, and instead of walking deliberately, I began a race as fast as I could, feeling, or thinking I felt, each pool of salt water through which I splashed, grow deeper and deeper. At length the surface of the sand did seem considerably more intersected with pools and channels full of water-either that the tide was really beginning to influence the bed of the estuary, or, as I must own is equally probable, that I had, in the hurry and confusion of my retreat, involved myself in difficulties which I had avoided in my deliberate advance. Either way, it was rather an unpromising state of affairs, for the sands at the same time turned softer, and my footsteps, so soon as I had passed, were instantly filled with

The stranger is thus described, as to personal appear

ance:

"He had now thrown off his rough riding-cap, and his trimmed with black, which sat close to, and set off his large coarse jockey-coat, and stood before me in a grey jerkin and sinewy frame, and a pair of trowser of a lighter colour, cut as close to the body as they are used by Highlandmen. His whole dress was of finer cloth than that of the old man; and his linen, so minute was my observation, clean and unsullied. His shirt was without ruffles, and tied at the collar with a black ribband, which shewed his strong and muscular neck rising from it, like that of an ancient Hercules. His head was small, with a large forehead and well-formed ears. He wore neither peruke nor hairpowder; and his chesnut locks, curling close to his head, like those of an antique statue, showed not the least touch of time, though the owner must have been at least fifty. His features were high and prominent in such a degree, that one knew not whether to term them harsh or handsome. In either case the sparkling grey eye, acquiline nose, and well formed mouth, combined to render his physiognomy noble and expressive. An air of sadness, or severity, or of both, seemed to indicate a melancholy, and, running mentally over the ancient heroes, to whom I at the same time, a haughty temper. I could not help might assimilate the noble form and countenance before me. He was too young, and evinced too little resignation to his fate, to resemble Bellisarius. Coriolanus, standing by the hearth of Tullus Aufidius, came nearer the mark; yet the gloomy and haughty look of the stranger had, perhaps, still more of Marius, seated among the ruins of Carthage."

But this stranger is no common man, and does not confine himself to a single character. We will extract another portrait of him, as drawn about the same period by Darsie's correspondent :

"As I stood beside them, too much vexed at the childish part I was made to play to derive much information from the valuable arguments of Mr. Crossbite, I observed a rather elderly man, who stood with his eyes firmly bent on my father, as if he only waited an end of the

business in which he was engaged, to address him. There during that period he writes his journal. From an was something, I thought, in the gentleman's appearance examination before a silly magistrate, it appears that which commanded attention-Yet his dress was not in the present taste, and though it had once been magnificent, the stranger is the Herries of Birvenswork, mentioned was now antiquated and unfashionable. His coat was of in Young Fairford's letter, and from subsequent conbranched velvet, with a satin lining, a waistcoat of violet-versations, it is made equally clear that he is one of the coloured silk, much embroidered; his breeches the same stuff as the coat. He wore square-toed shoes, with foretops, as they are called; and his silk stockings were rolled up over his knee, as you may have seen in pictures, and here and there on some of those originals who seem to pique themselves on dressing after the mode of Methuselah. A chapeau bras and sword necessarily completed his equipment, which, though out of date, shewed that it belonged to a man of distinction.

"My father, whose politeness, you know, is exact and formal, bowed, and hemmed, and was confused, and at length professed that the distance since they had met was so great, that though he remembered the face perfectly, the name, he was sorry to say, had-really-somehow-|| escaped his memory.

"Have you forgot Herries of Birrenswork?' said the gentleman, and my father bowed even more profoundly than before; though I think his reception of his old friend seemed to lose some of the respectful civility which he bestowed on him while his name was yet unknown. It now seemed to be something like the lip courtesy which the heart would have denied had ceremony permitted."

lairds of Redgauntlet, and a relative of Darsie. Fairford's researches after his friend approximate to something like success, and he catches some occasional gleams of information respecting Redgauntlet. He is introduced to smugglers and jacobites, and visits Cumberland in search of Darsie; who is mixed up in the schemes of Redgauntlet. He finds that the Greenmantled Lady is his only sister Lilias, and that he himself is the heir to the title and estates of the family. We must interrupt our analysis to give a passage from the narrative of Lilias, respecting her conduct at the coronation of George II.

666

"Unquestioned and unchallenged by any one, we crossed among the guards, and Nixon tapped thrice at a small postern door in a huge ancient building, which was straight before us. It opened, and we entered without my perceiving by whom we were admitted. A few dark and narrow passages at length conveyed us into an immense Gothic hall, the magnificence of which baffles my powers of description.

On the shores of the Solway, he passes by the title of "It was illuminated by ten thousand wax lights, whose the Laird of the Lochs, and is supposed by the neigh-splendour at first dazzled my eyes, coming as we did from bours to be the leader of a powerful gang of smuggling these dark and secret avenues. But when my sight began fishermen; but a dim cloud of mystery hangs over him to become steady, how shall I describe what I beheld? Beneath were huge ranges of tables, occupied by princes and his pursuits. and nobles in their robes of state-high officers of the crown, wearing their dresses and badges of authority-reverend prelates and judges, the sages of the church and law, in their more sombre, yet not less awful robes-with others whose antique and striking costume announced their inBut at length the truth burst on me at once-it was, and the murmurs around confirmed it, the Coronation Feast. At a table above the rest, and extending across the upper end of the hall, sat enthroned the youthful Sovereign himself, surrounded by the princes of the blood, and other dignitaries, and receiving the suit and homage of his subjects. Heralds and pursuivants, blazing in their fantastic yet splendid armorial habits, and pages of honour, gorgeously arrayed in the garb of other days, waited upon the princely banquetters. In the galleries with which this spacious hall was surrounded, shone all, and more than all, that my poor imagination could conceive of what was brilliant in riches, or captivating in beauty. Countless rows of ladies, whose diamonds, jewels, and splendid attire were their least powerful charms, looked down from their lofty seats on the rich scene beneath, themselves forming a show as dazzling and as beautiful as that of which they were spectators. Under these galleries, and behind the banquetting tables, were a multitude of gentlemen, dressed as if to attend a court, but whose garb, although rich enough to have adorned a royal drawing-room, could not distinguish them in such a high scene as this. Amongst these we wandered for a few minutes undistinguished and unregarded. I saw several young persons dressed as I was, so was under no embarrassment from the singularity of my habit, and only rejoiced, as I hung on my uncle's arm, at the magical splendour of such a scene, and at his goodness for procuring me the pleasure of beholding it.

Every thing, however, is mystery that relates to Darsie. A young, fair, elegant lady, calling herself " Green Mantle," visits Fairford, to interest him in behalf of his friend Darsie, who is in some peril, from his prox-portance, though I could not even guess who they might be. imity to England, (at Solway) he having been cautioned not to trust himself in that country. We cannot spare time to note any of the little adventures of Darsie, in Dumfriesshire, which after all are very uninteresting and protracted. A blind fiddler tells him a story which turns upon the fortunes of the Redgauntlets, who were leading Jacobites during the wars of the Pretender. Nothwithstanding the connection between the story and the Redgauntlet family, they are but slightly and uninterestingly introduced. At Brokenburn-the residence of the stranger-Darsie sees the Green-mantled Lady, and is taken with her beauty and youth. In the meantime old Sanders Fairford is desirous that his son Alan, should become a great lawyer. In this all his hopes are centered. Alan makes his maiden speech, displays very considerable talents, and excites a strong interest in his favour. In the midst of his reply-he reads, by mistake-a letter which contains the news of Darsie's captivity, and possible murder by the Solway fishermen. Alan rushes suddenly out of court, and leaves Edinburgh in search of his missing friend. We are now furnished with the journal of Darsie, contain- || ing the details of an encounter with the fishermen, and his imprisonment. The leader of this band of smugglers was the same mysterious stranger. In his house, he is confined under the pretext of insanity, and

"By and by, I perceived that my uncle had acquaintances among those who were under the galleries, and seemed like ourselves, to be mere spectators of the solemnity. They recognised each other with a single word,

sometimes only with a gripe of the hand-exchanged some private signs, doubtless and gradually formed a little group, in the centre of which we were placed.""

Her uncle Redgauntlet obliges her to give defiance to the champion.

it

"Only be prompt to execute my bidding,' said he; is but to lift a glove. Here, hold this in your hand-throw the train of your dress over it, be firm, composed, and ready-or, at all events, I step forward myself.' "If there is no violence designed,' I said, taking, mechanically, the iron glove he put into my hand.

"I could not conceive his meaning; but, in the exalted state of mind in which I beheld him, I was convinced that disobedience on my part would lead to some wild explosion. I felt, from the emergency of the occasion, a sudden presence of mind, and resolved to do anything that might avert violence and bloodshed. I was not long held in suspense. A loud flourish of trumpets, and the voice of heralds, were mixed with the clattering of horses' hoofs, while a champion, armed at all points, like those I read of in romances, attended by squires, pages, and the whole retinue of chivalry, pranced forward, mounted upon a barbed steed. His challenge, in defiance of all who dared impeach the title of the new sovereign, was cited aloudonce, and again.

"Rush in at the third sounding,' said my uncle to me; bring me the parader's gage, and leave mine in lieu of it.' "I could not see how this was to be done, as we were surrounded by people on all sides. But, at the third sounding of the trumpets, a lane opened, as if by word of command, betwixt me and the champion, and my uncle's voice said, Now, Lilias, now!'

"With a swift, and yet steady step, and with a presence of mind for which I have never since been able so account, I discharged the perilous commission. I was hardly seen, I believe, as I exchanged the pledges of battle, and in an instant retired. Nobly done, my girl!' said my uncle, at whose side I found myself, shrouded as I was before, by the interposition of the byestanders. • Cover our retreat, gentlemen,' he whispered to those around him.

"Room was made for us to approach the wall, which seemed to open, and we were again involved in the dark passages through which we had formerly passed. In a small anti-room, my uncle stopped, and hastily muffling me in a mantle which was lying there, we passed the guards -threaded the labyrinth of empty streets and courts, and reached our retired lodgings without attracting the least attention."

Redgauntlet endeavours to mix up Darsie (now Sir Arthur) in his projects of rebellion, though in vain. He is presented to Charles Edward, who had arrived in England on the invitation of some of his old partizans; but the attempt to excite a new insurrection is abortive. The Pretender quits England, and Redgauntlet goes with him. Sir Arthur attaches himself to the house of Hanover; his sister marries Alan Fairford; and with this the story ends.

Our opinions have been freely and fully expressed in the commencement of this notice; and it would be useless to add, that Redgauntlet is incomparably the worst of all the novels of Sir Walter Scott.

upon a former production, by Sir Walter Scott. Notwithstanding the known liberality of that great writer, which is always prompting him to kind and friendly actions, yet we may fairly say that he has not overpraised the talents of the author of "The Inheritance." It does not, indeed, belong to the very highest order of novels, but it possesses many excellent qualities, and entitles the author to all the reputation he has gained. It is a novel of manners, and rarely attempts any analysis of the human heart, its passions, and its virtues. There is much acuteness in the observations, and great felicity in touching off the ridiculous and affected habits of ordinary society. It is from a consciousness of power in this respect, that the author has indulged, to a very liberal degree, in the portraiture of character. Some of these are worth extracting as a specimen of ability. The following is the description of a solemn coxcomb, who plays a stately and leading part in the story:

"Lord Rossville's character was one of those whose traits, though minute, are as strongly marked as though they had been cast in a large mould. But, as not even the powers of the microscope can impart strength and beauty to the object it magnifies, so no biographer could have exaggerated into virtues the petty foibles of his mind. Yet the predominating qualities were such as often cast a false glory around their possessor-for the love of power and the desire of human applause were the engrossing principles of his soul. In strong capacious minds, and in great situations, these incentives often produce brilliant results; but in a weak contracted mind, moving in the narrow sphere of domestic life, they could only circulate through the thousand little channels that tend to increase or impair domestic happiness. As he was not addicted to any particular vice, he considered himself as a man of perfect virtue; and having been, in some respects, very prosperous in his fortune, he was thoroughly satisfied that he was a person of the most consummate wisdom. With these ideas of himself, it is not surprising that he should have deemed it his bounden duty to direct and manage every man, woman, child, or animal, who came within his sphere, and that too in the most tedious and tormenting manner. Perhaps the most teazing point in his character was his ambition-the fatal ambition of thousands-to be thought an eloquent and impressive speaker; for this purpose, he always used ten times as many words as were necessary to express his meaning, and those too of the longest and strongest description. Another of his tormenting peculiarites was his desire of explaining every thing, by which he always perplexed and mystified the simplest subject. Yet he had his good points, for he wished to see those around him happy, provided he was the dispenser of their happiness, and that they were happy precisely in the manner and degree he thought proper. In short, Lord Rossville was a sort of petty benevolent tyrant; and any attempt to enlarge his soul, or open his understanding, would have been in vain. Indeed, his mind was already full, as full as it could hold, of little thoughts, little plans, little notions, little prejudices, little whims, and nothing short of regeneration could have made him otherwise. He had a code of laws, a code of proprieties, a code of delicacies, all his own, and he had long languished for subjects to execute them upon.

The Inheritance. By the Author of Marriage. London: Mrs. St. Clair and her daughter were therefore no sinall

T. Cadell, 3 vols. 1824.

THE author of this novel has obtained considerable celebrity, in consequence of certain praises heaped

acquisitions to his family-he looked upon them as two very fine pieces of wax, ready to receive whatever impression he chose to give them; and the humble confiding manner in which his niece had been committed to him, had at once