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various readings are mentioned, and occasionally difficult passages are either translated, or so fully explained as to render them easily intelligible. In Thucydides the arguments of the different books are also given in English, by the distinguished editor, Dr. Bloomfield. We have before us only the first volume of Herodotus, which makes its appearance under the care of Dr. Stocker. Here also the arguments and notes are in our own language, and we observe that those passages, which have hitherto prevented this most entertaining historian from being familiarly introduced to schoolboys, have been most judiciously omitted. The editor appears to have taken a world of trouble, in verifying and rectifying the references to classic writers throughout the mass of authorities, from which the notes are compiled. These may therefore be looked upon as particularly valuable. We are glad to see the Prometheus of Æschylus, and that magnificent tragedy, the Orestes of Euripides, printed in a manner equally acceptable to the student. Indeed, no one who has not learned Greek without the facilities which Mr. Valpy has now supplied, can conceive the great advantages which they will afford for the acquisition of that language to the rising generations. We observe that Mr. Major (Master of Wisbech Grammar School) has appended to the Orestes, which he has edited, a series of questions which are intended to assist the teacher in the process of examination.

ART. XIV. Paley's Moral and Political Philosophy condensed, being Vol. 1. of an Epitome of English Literature: or a concentration of the Matter of Stand

ard English Authors. Under the
Superintendence of A. J. Valpy,
M. A. 12mo, pp. 278. London :
A. J. Valpy. 1831.

THERE can be no doubt that much useful information, and many happy thoughts lie scattered in the pages of English authors, who, on account of the distance of time at which they wrote, or other circumstances, are but little, if at all, known to modern readers. Neither is it to be denied, that the collected remains of some of these writers include a great deal that is unworthy of preservation. Again, we think it must be admitted, that copiousness of expression and diffuseness of style, too often characterize the works of even our most admired prose authors. If these facts be undisputed, and we see no reason to anticipate that they will be questioned by any reasonable person, we need say but little in commendation of a project, which proposes to give the quintescence of each of a certain description of eminent authors, freed either from such redundancies or peculiarities, as would prevent the easy comprehension of whatever is valuable in their works. It is evident, however, that the whole of the success of such a plan depends on the manner of its execution. The matter chosen for the leading essay in this novel enterprize, is Paley's Moral Philosophy. In the first place we observe, that this "concentration" is only of half the dimensions of the original work, yet we find that it faithfully preserves all the arguments of the great philosopher, and indeed omits nothing for which Paley's work is worth perusing. To a considerable extent the language of the original is adhered to, and in some instances the progress of the argument materially assisted. Every interpolation of this or any other kind, is distinguished by marks

which will at once inform the reader of their source; and whenever the editor or compiler suspects that he has not correctly expressed the meaning of his author by the substituted language, he adds in a note the words of the original. A fairer or more promising scheme of usefulness, it would be impossible to propose with such materials. It must be remembered, however, that it is by the taste and discretion of an individual, or, perhaps, a small body of individuals, that all these details are to be executed, and they will find it extremely difficult to satisfy every class of the public on every occasion, that the judgment of the compilers has been right. If, however, the first number be a faithful sample of what is to follow, we shall not be surprized to find the project completely successful.

ART. XV.-The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte. By M. de Bourienne, his Private Secretary. In three volumes 12mo, being vols. VII. VIII. and IX. of the " National Library." London: Colburn and Co. 1831.

THIS pretty novel of and concerning Napoleon's" sayings and doings," has been for some time going the round of various modes of publication in this country. It came over to us in French, was forthwith translated in a hasty and inaccurate mauner for Messrs. Colburn and Co., was printed in a much better version in Constable's Miscellany, and now is reproduced in the " National Library" corrected, enlarged, and improved, by the addition of sundry notes. In the mean time those who have perused the work itself, either in the original, or in the English translations, have satisfied themselves that in point of fact

Bourienne was private secretary to Bonaparte during a period of little more than six years, viz. from April, 1796, to October, 1802, when he was dismissed for peculation, and never afterwards held any office, which could have enabled him to become familiar with the private and personal history of that extraordinary man. It follows, therefore, that all that part of the 'Life' which dates after 1802, must have been collected from other sources, although he has had the courage to pass off the whole as the fruit of his own individual knowledge. It is not to be wondered at then if he has fallen into many errors, some of which have been completely exposed by Generals Gourgaud and Belliard, Barons Meneval, De Stein, and Massias, the Counts d'Aure and Boulai' de la Meurthe, the Duke de Cambacérès, the Prince d'Eckinubl and others. Notwithstanding the contradictions that have been given by these individuals, to several im

portant statements which are made by this biographer of Napoleon, the work has maintained its ground; and owing to the naive and interesting style in which it is written, and the numberless anecdotes which it contains, will long hold a distinguished place among the works dedicated to the memory of the great master spirit of the continent. Every thing of any value in the original, is compressed into these three volumes, which are got up in a very creditable manner. Narratives and observations are added to it from other authorities, which throw light upon Bourienne's text, and, besides three capitally engraved portraits of Napoleon and his two wives, this edition is adorned by a variety of scenes from the campaigns of the great warrior, which are in general very fairly executed. The typography of the volumes is beautiful.

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ment in the selection of authorities, which marked the two former volumes of this valuable series, will be found in the present compilation of the ancient and modern history of Egypt. The reader will peruse in this little volume, small as are its dimensions, the results of the labours and researches of many able and indefatigable travellers. The peculiarities which distinguish the moral as well as geographical history of Egypt, are well known. The monuments of genius and power which are scattered through that country, will long remain as living incitements to stimulate our curiosity, respecting the people from whom such works have proceeded. The author of the volume before us, fully appreciating the sources of interest which his subject afforded, has given us a narrative of unfailing spirit and attraction to the very last page. The classical scholar will be delighted to meet in this volume with many curious explanations, derived from modern inquiries, which throw light on a great number of passages in

ner," and a great variety of other poems, which had been previously scattered in periodical journals and other fugitive publications, and are now for the first time collected under the sanction of Mr. Murray's name. By what process of reasoning that highly respected bookseller could have prevailed upon himself to take under his patronage, since the noble poet's death, so many compositions to which he refused to lend his Imprimatur during his lordship's life, is a question which we have not the means of discussing. We cannot even conjecture any plausible justification of so strange an inconsistency. And we will take leave to add, that Mr. Murray would, perhaps, have better consulted his own fame, if he had persevered in his original intention, of including nothing in his edition of Lord Byron's works at which innocence might have cause to blush. We shall now, of course, expect from Albemarle-street, the whole of "Don Juan" without emendation or omission.

Art. XVIII.—Sketches of Irish Character. By Mrs. S. C. Hall. Second Series. Svo, pp. 448. London : Westley and Davis.

1831.

Mrs. HALL is undoubtedly the best judge of her own interests; she may be warranted, for ought we know, in expatriating her comic muse, and in abjuring the pleasant country which gave her birth; but it must be confessed by her best friends, that she has taken rather an Irish way of putting in her justification. A more conspicuous testimony to the crime of her desertion could not be furnished, than the very work in which she has announced it. There are thirteen capital stories in this volume, and, as usual with every thing Irish, they rapidly alternate between the sigh and the smile. We have read a few of the sketches in other publications; but those which are entirely new, appear to us to be by far the best. Mrs. Hall's delineations of Irish character and manners cannot be exceeded for truth; they are in fact too strictly, too severely real, and we must say that the more durable impression of the Irish character, which we derive from her powerful scenes, is not wholly of a favourable nature, though we are aware of the amiable purpose which that lady has ever had in view when writing these national stories. And perhaps a better proof than this fact, could not be given of the fidellity of Mrs. Hall's sketches.

We

have read with pleasure many comic stories of Ireland from contemporary writers; some of them are admirable for the humour of the dialogue; some for the eccentricity of the characters; some again for the perfect imitation of the rustic English dialect of the common people of Ireland. Mrs. Hall unites these three excellences in most of

her tales. In addition, she invariably developes the genuine character of the peasant, and, in spite of herself, almost, is obliged to follow him through the obliquities of a timeserving and cunning dissimulation. Mrs. Hall, has, moreover, enough of good sense and true practical charity, to avoid every illiberal and partial view of the national character of her country. We trust sincerely that if this excellent writer should ultimately forsake the field, whence she has brought off so many welldeserved honours, it is with the intention of reappearing in a new, and not less delightful character.

ART. XIX.-German Poetical Anthology. By A. Bernays. 8vo. pp. 370. London: Treuttel and Co. 1831.

WE are glad to find that this work has reached a second edition, as the exertions which Mr. Bernays has been making for some years, in order to diffuse amongst us a love of his native literature, are well worthy of every kind of encouragement. The selections which be has given in the present volumes may be considered, for the most part, as indeed " Elegant Extracts." They are free from taint in a moral point of view, and are calculated to exhibit the poetical qualities of the German language in a very favourable light. The editor has prefixed to the Anthology, a short account of the authors from whose works his flowers have been culled, and also a well written historical essay on German poetry, which, be.. sides evincing a thorough acquaintance with the subject, shews that he is as well versed in the English language, as he is in his own.

ART XX-Marina; or, an Historical and Descriptive Account of Southport, Lytham, and Blackpool, situate on the Western coast of Lancashire. By P. Whittle. Svo. pp. 325. Preston: P. and H. Whittle, 1831.

WE are much obliged to Mr. Whittle for favouring us with a copy of his book, before it has been quite ready for distribution amongst his subscribers. It is with great pleasure that at any time we sit down to a topographical work, written by an individual, who is conversant with the localities which he describes, and pursues his subject with the enthusiasm, that naturally springs from early associations. Such an author passes over nothing in the features of the district, which he has undertaken to celebrate; its customs, its superstitions, the arrival of a king or of an admiral entered on its records, battles fought within its precincts, sieges and rebellions carried on there, are all displayed before us with a minuteness, and, generally speaking, a vivacity of detail, which are delightful. Particularly happy are we to light upon such a book, when drinking the spa, or purifying ourselves upon the seashore, from the smoke of this gigantic intellectual steam engine, as London may well be called. Then do we rejoice in exploring, with the industrious compiler, the old castles, and monasteries, and camps, of which he has preserved memorials; we enter readily into his Botanical, Conchological, Icthyological, and all his other ogical labours, and listen with unwearied perseverance to his legendary traditions, and, in short, to every thing he has to say. Hence it will be readily believed that we approve, in the most unreserved manner, of Mr. Whittle's Marina.' In his section upon Southport he has, perhaps, given us too much

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about the sublimities and beauties of the ocean, inasmuch as his praises are as applicable to the waters that lave the beach of Scarborough or Margate, as to those which visit the shores of Lancashire. Perhaps also we might advise him to be a little more careful of his grammar and language, in the next edition. The accommodations for visitors is equal to any watering place in the kingdom, p. 31, will not do even in Southport. The following systems are taught by Mr. Walker and able assistants. Greek, Latin, &c.' Is Greek a system? We might quote many other similar blunders, which a little care will rectify. The advantages of Lytham and of Blackpool, as watering places, are not raised up in rivalry with those of Southport, but are, we believe, fairly stated. The lithographic Illustrations are, we regret to add, but mediocre specimens of the art.

ART. XXI.-1. Leigh's Guide to Wales and Monmouthshire, containing Observations on the Mode of Travelling, &c. Illustrated with a Map of Wales, and Views of the Menai and Conway Bridges. pp. 356. London: Leigh. 1831. 2. The Welsh Interpreter: consisting of a concise Vocabulary,, and Collection of Useful and Familiar Phrases, &c. By Thomas Roberts. pp. 138. London : Leigh. 1831.

THE superiority of this New Guide to Wales over any that we have seen, consists in its embracing an account of any possible route in the romantic scenes of the principality, which the traveller may be induced, by whim or business, to select. Thus, in order to avail himself of the assistance of this work, it is not necessary that the tourist should

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