Remains of the Rev. Edmund D. Griffin, compiled by Francis Griffin, with a Biographical Memoir of the deceased, by the Rev. John Mc Vickar, D. D., Professor of Moral Philosophy, &c. in Columbia College. In two volumes.

These volumes furnish us with a very interesting view of the character and style of the literature which at this moment prevails in America. It is impossible to read them without being struck with the classical purity of taste which is cultivated in the Colleges, and which the best writers who have received their education in these seats of transatlantic learning, have recently displayed. Indeed the improvement is at once so remarkable and so rapid, that Great Britain had need look well to herself if she would maintain her supe riority. It may be centuries before the New World will produce writers to compete with the greatest names of England; it may never perhaps be able to boast of its Shakspeare and Milton, its Bacon and Newton; but having, as well as ourselves, all these glorious models to guide and animate their efforts, the Americans have only to imbibe the spirit of intellectual distinction, and to feel the stirrings of literary ambition to leave the present generation of European writers far behind them. In the United States there is everything to stimulate and urge forward the progress of the human mind to excite in individuals spontaneous and characteristic efforts which regard their own fame rather than the calculating speculations of the mere vender of books. For a long time to come America will have authors -original, proud, independent, and free. In England we produce an astonishing quantity of printed paper elegantly done up in boards, of quarto, octavo, and duodecimo, by the simplest of all processes-the division of labour. London is at this moment the literary Birmingham of the civilized world, and we are desirous rather of getting many books than of procuring good ones. We speak of this new order of things at large, and in its essential character, without denying the many exceptions and mitigations to which it is open. But if a plain fact is to be spoken of in plain terms, it is this, that books have at last thoroughly come under the laws that regulate the quantity, quality, fashion, form, and colour of silks, potteries, furniture, jewels, and other articles of artificial life.

In illustration of the truth of our statement, that America is rising in intellectual character, we refer to the work before us, especially to that portion of it, entitled "A Tour through Italy and Switzerland in 1829." It breathes a pure classical enthusiasm-every object of beauty or sublimity -every circumstance illustrative of men and manners—whatever regards nature or art-the world of matter-the world of mind-all are treated in the spirit of a man who thinks, feels, and writes under the influence of a correct judg ment and fervid imagination, informed and chastened with a rich store of previous knowledge and attainments; and it ought likewise to be remembered that these pages were not elaborated for the press the author poured out the fulness of his soul to relieve himself, and to gratify his friends, but without the most distant view to publication. April.-VOL. XXXVI. NO. CXxxvi.

To the young enthusiast of the New, the Old World must present a boundless and most interesting field of observation and delight. If he be a scholar, and just in proportion as he is so, Europe will be invested in his imagination with the sacredness which belongs to all that is venerable in antiquity, and with that true glory which attaches to the vast empire of mind, where its majesty triumphs in every form of beauty and grandeur, the accumulation of many centuries long since passed away, but leaving their imperishable inonuments to be the admiration of distant regions and of ages yet unborn.

Mr. Griffin was eminently prepared to appreciate every object which met his view during the progress of his Tour. We entirely agree, however, with the writer of the Memoir, that he should have commenced it with England. For if any thing like prejudice and spleen betray themselves in his Letters, it is on the subject of this his Fatherland. "To a native of the New World," Dr. McVickar judiciously remarks, "no portion of Europe is without interest; he finds everywhere the stimulus of both novelty and antiquity; he should, therefore, begin with the one, as it were, nearest home, that by so doing, every stage may rise in its power over his imagination. Thus England, though the firs: in the scale of improvement, is unquestionably, to Americans at least, the lowest for excitement; with this, therefore, we should begin; and thenFrance, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy, will be found successively to ascend in the scale of interest. The reversed order spoils the whole. After Italy, short of Greece, there is no antiquity; after Switzerland, there is no scenery; consequently all that follows is dull, tame, and modern. Hence the inconsistent estimate which travellers form of the beanty and grandeur of the Rhine, according, as they are fresh from the marshes of Holland, or the mountains of Switzerland; it is noble or tame, just as the torrent's course may happen to be north or south."

The society in which Mr. Griffin happened once or twice to mix, while on his sojourn here, wounded his nationality of feeling; some offensive articles in our Public Journals likewise awakened his displeasure; and he bade adieu to England, as he expresses himself, "a more partial American than ever."

Of the former, Dr. McVickar observes-" that Mr. Griffin was so unfortunate as to meet with some whose patriotism went beyond their politeness, and it is probable beyond either their know. ledge or judgment." The author says that "in this Mr. Griffin was unfortunate, since, judging from his own experience, such language is as rare in England as it is misapplied; his recollections of a recent visit not furnishing him with a single instance of an educated man, who was not also liberal in his feelings towards America; and though often ignorant of the detail of her Institutions, yet appreciating justly their nature and influence; and reciprocating with paternal frankness those sentiments of respect and amity which unquestionably belong to the better part of the American community. These are sentiments, it may be added, not only just, but mutually becoming: they spring naturally from the sympathies of a common language, literature, and faith, and no

U

feeling or considerate mind would willingly wound them; woe then to that pen, or that policy, by which such bonds are severed, and which seeks to sow discord where nature hath planted peace." So cordially do we approve of these sentiments that we are happy to give them all the publicity in our power. Of Mr. Griffin we bave only to add, that at the early age of twenty-five, he was suddenly removed from the circle of his friends, and the sphere of his usefulness. His loss was severely felt, and what he might have been, it is in vain to conjecture. No man was ever better prepared to act a conspicuous part on the great theatre of life, especially in a country like that which gave him birth. So active was his mind, so industrious his habits, that, though he died just as he had reached the point of manhood," he left behind him manuscripts which, if printed, would suffice to fill, at least, six octavo volumes." The present selection has been made with a discriminating judgment. The Memoir is peculiarly interesting, and the whole work a valuable addition to transatlantic literature.

Saturday Evening. By the Author of "The Natural History of Enthusiasın."

This is the most indefinite and inappropriate title to a good book that it has ever been our fortune to meet with. The explanation of the Author is by no means satisfactory. Would any one imagine that the work is thus designated because the subjects on which it treats bear an important relation "to the era of REST which has been promised to the Church and to the world" -the evening preceding the millennial Sabbath? We assure our readers, however, who might otherwise be deterred from perusing the book on account of its singular association with what may appear to them chimerical, that it is one of the most valuable productions of the human intellect; the topics, all of them of great importance, and of deep and perpetual interest. The Author entertains some of the noblest views of Christianity: religion with him sustains and regulates the spirit of philosophical inquiry. All the Essays are written in a style of superior excellence: we should say they are, without exception, highly original and eloquent. But we were particularly struck with those on "The State of Sacred Science," "The State of Seclusion," "The Family Affection of Christianity," "The Few Noble," and "The Rudiment of Christian Magnanimity." The Author's first production, "The Natural History of Enthusiasm," established his character,

and placed him among the first of his class; and from the present, his fame will not suffer the slightest diminution. These are the kind of works that are sure to stir up thought where its capacity exists; to awaken the dormant energies of the

mind, and to purify and exalt the heart. They maintain the happy medium between sceptical philosophy and fanatical enthusiasm. We know not what Church has the honour of claiming the writer; but all Churches ought to cherish towards him the liveliest gratitude for the invaluable services he has rendered to the cause of their common Christianity. There would be neither bigots nor infidels if all that undertake to teach religion possessed the mental qualifications and the philanthropic spirit of the Author of "Saturday Evening."

Reminiscences of the Rev. Robert Hall, A.M. late of Bristol, and Sketches of his Sermons preached at Cambridge prior to 1806. By John Greene.

The Boswellian Paul Pryism of this surreptitious work forces us to read it in spite of ourselves. We feel something like contempt for the compiler, but the illustrious subject who suffers under his treatment, attracts us as with a charm. The most trifling incident and word we contemplate as a relic of departed greatness. The book contains disclosures of petty scenes and minute incidents that we should imagine no friend would publish of another. The world is glad to possess these, while it despises the channel of their communication. Mr. Greene, in this transaction, in our opinion, has neither acted wisely nor well. If he really felt interested in the lasting fame of his distinguished friend, he would have cherished a deep solicitude for the welfare of his familyand he would have consulted both by presenting his materials to Sir James Mackintosh, and bestowing them as a gratuity to enrich the work that

is forthcoming, and whose profits are exclusively

devoted to Mrs. Hall and her children.

help exclaiming, Mr. Hall must indeed have been

In reading these pages, however, we cannot

a great man! for even these reminiscences, got up in the worst style, and published for very questionable purposes, leave the majesty of his intellect, the purity of his principles, and the simplicity of his manners, untouched. The serinons are, indeed, perfect of their kind. Did Mr. Greene obtain them, by writing them in shorthand from the lips of the eloquent preacher ?—if so, he is the best stenographist of the age-but we have never heard that he was peculiarly distinguished for this art. Are they the result of memory? -then in this faculty Mr. Greene must stand unrivalled and alone. We are delighted to possess these discourses-they are undoubtedly genuine, lents, and perhaps we ought not to be too inquiand fine specimens of their author's wonderful ta

sitive about them.

History in all Ages.

The History of the Jews in All Ages. By the same Author.

The first of these works has justly, as we think, obtained a wide circulation, and is likely to prove a standard work for the instruction of youth. Its plan is that of dialogue, and it gives the rise, pro

gress, and decay of all the states that have existed in ages past, and it traces the history of the modern nations with great accuracy and brevity.

"The History of the Jews" is a more ambitious affair. It is comprehensive, and yet perspicuous, sign, which entitles the Author to the respect of written with great care, and with a laudable de

every genuine believer in the truth of revelation. The grand principle on which it has been composed is the following:

"The Statements of the Holy Scriptures, as the inspired word of God, however irreconcileable with human maxims, and inconsistent with human opinions, are to be received with all the submission which their divine authority demands, and without hesitation, and to their fullest extent are to be implicitly credited."

Our opinion on this subject was fully expressed some months ago in our notice of Mr. Gleig's "History of the Bible," and Professor Milman's "History of the Jews." The present work sustains all the principles of Mr. Gleig, but in a superior style. It is a book, which we cordially recommend, because it does not disguise the genuine features and natural dignity of Scripture history, or throw a veil of confusion and doubt over the sacred truths of revelation. It is philosophical, but not sceptical; it establishes faith on its proper foundation, and while it addresses us as intellectual beings, it tells us that our reason must bow to Scripture, and our faith believe a speaking God.

British Painters, &c. By Allan Cunningham. Vol. V.-Family Library, No. XXVII.

The same fresh and lively vein of bold and manly thought runs through this pleasant volume as pervades its predecessors, and indeed all the works of their gifted author. It is abundantly evident that Allan Cunningham, whilst he avoids all the ordinary cant of criticism and assuming connoisseurship, is possessed of acquirements and habits of thought which not only entitle him to exercise bis independent judgment freely, but which stamp a sterling value on his intelligent decisions. One listens to his opinions with a satisfactory assurance that they are those of a man by whom the beauties of art are really appreciated, and by whom they will never be discussed either with the flippancy of conceit, the dullness of stupidity, or the obstinacy of invincible ignorance. He avowed, we remember, in his first volume, his steadfast determination to express on all occasions strictly his own sentiments concerning works of British art, wherever he should have the power of personal examination; and he has honestly redeemed the pledge.

The present volume contains the lives of Jameson, Ramsay, Romney, Runciman, Copley, Mor. timer, Raeburn, Hoppner, Owen, Harlow, and Bonington. The materials for biographies of some of these worthies are scanty enough. In fact their works are at once their actions and their best history. Though the lives of men devoted for the most part to secluded labour, contain few incidents of a very stirring nature, still it is pleasing to follow the vicissitudes of fortune of those whose genius has given us delight. It does not, however, we regret to say, speak very favourably for the lofty character of English taste, that we are so often and so forcibly reminded, in perusing these biographies, of Sir Godfrey Kneller's quaint reason for preferring portraiture to the nobler branches of his art. "Painters of history," said he," make the dead live, and do not begin to live themselves till they are dead. I paint the living, and they make me live." Mr. Cunning. ham thus pleasantly touches on the long-prevailing vanity of those who prefer the "counterfeit presentment" of their "own flesh and blood" to the happiest groups of historic heroes. "Taste, which arises from domestic affection, deserves to be cherished; and if we may estimate private happiness from the multitude of portraits of the nameless and unknown, our own nation enjoys more fireside tranquillity than any other in the universe." Our limits preclude us from any consi

deration of the lives in detail, and we shall only add that the portraits with which the volume is illustrated are in the usual style of excellence of all the embellishments of the series.

The following sketch of Bonington will be read with interest :

most.

"Bonington was tall, well, and even to appearance, strongly formed. His countenance,' says the French biographer, was truly English; and we loved him for his melancholy air, which became him more than smiles.' The memory of his person will soon wear away, but it will fare otherwise with his fame. He lived long enough to assert his title to a high place amongst English landscape painters, and had produced works which bid fair to be ranked permanently with the foreThey are not numerous, but for that very reason they will, perhaps, be the more prized. A series of engravings, amounting to some four-andtwenty, has been published by Carpenter, from pictures of this artist, some in his own possession, some in the galleries of the Marquess of Lansdowne, the Duke of Bedford, and other patrons of art. The best of these are the landscapes; and of the landscapes, the worthiest are of mingled sea and land-pieces distinguished by great picturesque beauty, and singular grace of execution. His practice was to sketch in the outline and ge neral character, and then make accurate studies of the local light and shade, and colour. His handling was delicate and true, and his colouring clear and harmonious. It cannot, however, be denied that he wants vigour and breadth; that his more poetic scenes are too light and slim; and his express copies from nature too literal and real. He was a softer sort of Gainsborough, with more than his grace, and not with a little of his taste for scattering happy and characteristic groups among landscape scenes-but, it must be added, with only a far-off approach to the strength of that great master. That, had his life been prolonged, he would have risen to very high distinction, cannot be doubted. It was his generous dream, we are told, to acquire a competency by painting commissions, and then dedicate his time and pencil to historical compositions-a dream which many artists have dreamed; but his works have little of the epic in them. Nature gave him good advice when she directed his steps to the surf-beat shore, and bade him paint the swelling tide, the busy boats, fishermen drying their nets, and the sea-eagle looking from the rock upon his wide and, to him, fruitful dominion."

"He was," adds Mr. Cunningham, "more than a mere landscape-painter. He included within his scene whatever naturally and properly belonged to it. On the sea-side he had fishermen ; on the sea itself ships under sail, with all their mariners-pinnaces and barges, with freights of beauty; ashore, he gave to the garden, ladies playing on the lute, or listening to the song of the bird or of the lover; he peopled his walks and groves with life, and showed no common skill and taste in his groups and figures. In this he resembled Gainsborough, whose peasants are not the least pleasing part of his landscapes. Nor did Bonington desire to depict merely an acre or two of nature, and trust to the literal reality of his scene for success: he knew that nature presents much to the eye on which art has no colours to squander; he therefore singled out scenes

which, either from extreme loveliness, from pic turesque effect, or old association, he knew would please; and these he handled with singular ease and delicacy.

*

He tried all the styles of painting below the historical, and attained eminence in them all. Moreover, he tried all the methods of the various schools; and it was one of his imaginations" to combine the fidelity of the Dutch, the vigour of the Venetians, the science of the Romans, and the sense of the English, all in one grand performance. This wild scheme, which even the poetic and fervent Fuseli had considered impracticable, was looked upon by Bonington as a matter of no great difficulty. His French biographer regrets that he did not live to put such a plan into execution, and mentions, that he had selected a series of subjects from the history of the middle ages, on which to make the experiment."

Observations on the Pestilential Cholera, (Asphyxia Pestilenta.) By William Ains

worth.

The Laws and Progress of the Epidemic Cholera, illustrated by Facts and Observations. By Thomas Hancock, M.D.

Of the numerous works which have been written on the all-absorbing subject of Cholera since its first appearance in England, we have not met with one that contains so many valuable facts and illustrations of the disease in question, or that gives a clearer insight into all its minute and varied symptoms, as the volume of Mr. Ainsworth, which is now before us. He has been a close and attentive observer of the disease ever since its first appearance in Sunderland, and his volume is the result of the many inquiries and observations he was enabled to make at the bed-side of his patients during the time that the disease was raging so fatally in that town. He speaks of the disease according to its nature and character, treating of these under the heads of Symptoms, Mode of Propagation, Physiology, and Pathology. We shall briefly notice each of these. He very properly divides the symptoms of the disease (Asphyxia Pestilenta) into five grades. 1. Prostration and evacuation, terminating in death.

2. The same, succeeded by a mild febrile action, inducing a rapid recovery.

3. The stage of collapse, always terminating in death.

4. A mild febrile action, terminating favourably. 5. A severe febrile action, terminating variously. Thus proving, that in the early periods of the disease the symptoms are few, and the consequent results decided, whilst in the more advanced stages the symptoms are more numerous and the terminations more varied.

Mr. Ainsworth, we perceive, is a decided contagionist. Our space will not now allow of our arguing on the opposite or non-contagious side of the question; but every day's experience only tends to strengthen facts against which the sup positions and analogies brought forward by our Author contain nothing but what has been brought forward a hundred times before. In speaking of the modes by which the disease appears to be propagated, the Author Jays particular stress upon two that by clothes, wearing apparel, &c. and

that by emanations from the dead, which he terms "a novel feature in the history of disease." He narrates several cases occurring in his own practice, and in that of others, amply supporting these facts. In the chapter on the Physiology and Pathology of the disease, he brings forward some bold and convincing evidence in support of his views: but we have not room for extract.

In the Second Part of his work Mr. Ainsworth speaks of the treatment of and the prophylactic or preventive measures against the disease. In the former of these he recommends mild emetics of salt or mustard, with copious bleeding, in the early stage of the complaint, "if the state of collapse or sinking has not come on." If this, however, is present, then he limits the quantity of blood taken away to eight ounces for an adult, following up this by stimuli of various kinds-hot negus, wine whey, brandy, ammonia, capsicum, &c. In this disease all the symptoms follow in pretty regular succession: if they be, therefore, simultaneously combated, there is much greater chance of the violence of this fierce and terrible disease being subdued. Cajeput oil, so much vaunted of by the London Board of Health, was found to be of no benefit. Cold affusion, our Author remarks, has not been sufficiently tried, and we cordially join with him in recommending it to every medical practitioner who may have an opportunity of trying its effects in this disease. In speaking of the prophylactic or preventive measures Mr. Ainsworth briefly notices the several points of air, temperature, heat, cold, and dress.

There are many other very valuable practical remarks scattered through the work, which we should be happy to notice did our limits permit ; and in closing the volume, we tender our cordial thanks to the Author for the information the perusal of it has afforded us, strongly recommending it as a valuable text-book and guide to all our readers, whether literary or scientific.

The Summary of Facts and Observations on the Laws and Progress of the Epidemic Cholera, by Dr. Hancock, is especially valuable and welltimed at the present moment, when public attention is so universally directed to the subject. The Author has gleaned largely, and we may add judiciously, from the many contemporary writers on the subject, and from current monthly and quarterly medical periodicals, Such a collection has long been wanted; a condensation of all that has been written most valuable on the disease, to which the casual reader may turn for any information he may want on the subject. The chapter on the disease, as it appeared in Sunderland, traces it from the first moment in which it assumed the pestilential character in that place, until the occurrence of the first cases in Newcastle and Gateshead. This is drawn up with great accuracy of detail; and from the many opportunities which Dr. Hancock appears to have had of consulting all records on the subject, he draws the following conclusions, which will show what his views on the disputed point of contagion are, and prove how little medical men are still acquainted with the disease:

"From all the preceding facts and considerations, I think it must be clearly seen, that an epidemic pestilence is not a mere isolated and fortuitous event, which has no connexion with any thing in the country where it rages. It ap