pice, and enable them successfully to thread their way through all the mazes of evil which might otherwise perplex and delude them.

These Ten Letters embrace most of the topics of importance which the youthful graduate would do well to mark, learn, and inwardly digest. They are the following :-Sense of Religion-Choice of Friends-Conversation-Against yielding to the Influence of Numbers-Improvement of Time-Punctuality-Amusements-Expenses and running into Debt-TemperanceEnglish Reading. All of these subjects are treated with discrimination, and evince the practical good sense and benevolent feelings of the Author.

1. Library of Ecclesiastical Knowledge. 2. Essays on Church Polity. 2 vols. 3. History of Christianity to the age of Constantine. Vol. I.

4. The Christian Priesthood. 5. On Schism.

6. The Nineteenth Article of the Church of England.

7. The Life of Melancthon-of Luther -of Calvin.-Cum multis aliis.

This is a most valuable series of publications. The world very well understands the nature of ecclesiastical power, and how it has been exerted for the space of eighteen centuries. It is high time that it should possess a Library of Ecclesiastical Knowledge; that ecclesiastical pretensions should be fairly discussed; the claims of different churches, their agreement with, or opposition to the Christianity of the New Testament: these are subjects that now especially demand the most serious investigation. We are on the eve of a great ecclesiastical revolution, It is impossible that church power in Europe can survive the nineteenth century, and in some countries it already totters to its base. It therefore becomes Christians of all communions so to study the question of ecclesiastical polity, as to be prepared to act a wise, a decided, and a scriptural part when the crisis arrives. We are peculiarly anxious that the publications of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge should be read in connexion with the tracts of the Library of Ecclesiastical Knowledge. We would not have the one class separated from the other -the nation should read both, with the New Testament, as the arbiter, of all the questions that are mooted, and we have no fear for the results. The tracts before us, it is but fair to say, are opposed to all sectarian monopolies. They advocate the Christianity of the first three centuries, and they loudly call for the abasement of clerical pride, power, and intolerance.

Oral Traditions of the Cinque Ports and their Localities, compared with Antiquarian Researches, Natural Causes, and their Effects. By Capt. Kennett Beacham Martin, of the General Steam Navigation Company.

Did Captain Martin, when he sent this lively

and interesting pamphlet to the press, really imagine that "the critics would snarl at his humble production?" Does he not know that we all belong to the Humane Society, and that the milk of kindness flows in our bosoms ? Snarl, indeed! We can assure him that the gentle craft have no such currish propensities. We believe that he will now entertain a kindlier feeling towards the whole race; for have we not all commended his performance and, for the best of all reasons, we are just to modest merit; and when an Author feels and writes like a man, and opens the stores of his knowledge through the channel of his peculiar habits of thought and inquiry, we, in common with the public, cannot but offer him our grateful acknowledgments.

The Cinque Ports have been chiefly knowna to the public as supplying to government a good snug sinecure. Captain Martin has exhibited them under another and more pleasing aspect.

The Life and Adventures of the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street, containing an Account of her numerous Intrigues with various eminent Statesmen of the past and present Times. Written by Herself.

Another "Old Woman's Book" to keep Mrs. Trollope in countenance. Old ladies are proverbially garrulous, especially when the subject happens to be themselves. This autobiographer is a wealthy old dame,-so it is said by her friends, but rather suspected by her enemies,who has been accused of certain loose practices and flirtations, who is somewhat proud of her intrigues, and talks in rather a flippant style of the favours she has received and conferred. We can only say whether her averments be true or false if she will admit us to a tête-à-tête, and give us the keys and the range of her strongroom, we shall have great pleasure in spending an hour with her. We are quite persuaded that our visit would raise us immeasurably in the opinion of society, and we should have the bulls and bears of Change Alley crying us up as a constellation of all the virtues under heaven. While the Old Lady pays her debts, and keeps up her character for solvency, she may go to Court, be well received at drawing-rooms, and Ministers of State will recognize her as an intimate acquaintance; our gracious Sovereign, and his still more gracious Consort, will receive her with marked condescension; and the very ragamuffins in the streets, headed by Henry Hunt, the blacking-man, will throw up their greasy caps to honour her as she returns to her spaci ous mansion in Threadneedle Street. people say she has been a little shuffling of late, and a great deal too has been whispered about a charter, to which she is said to cling with far more tenacity than that popular and new-made Sovereign, King Louis Philippe, to a charter of a somewhat different kind, of which, a few months ago, he was so enamoured, that all France believed he would for ever regard it as the foundation of his throne and royalties. But "the Old Lady," whatever may be said of King Philippe, is no changeling. We must, however, leave her

Some

to her fate. She is before a tribunal where, sooner or later, she will receive even-handed justice.

utmost by the" String of Pearls." The volumes consist of tales which carry us back to the days when our study was the window-seat, or the shadow of some old tree, when we believed in the "Travels of Gulliver," and never doubted the

Otterbourne is a work of considerable talent. The story is interesting, the characters well drawn, and its various details illustrate a portion of history familiar to all who have read the ballad of Chevy-chase, or examined the immortal bard's most noble and beautiful sketch of our English Hotspur. The author has perused much and thought much concerning the lore of the past but most chivalrous age, when daring deeds were of daily occurrence upon the border that divided such gallant and fiery spirits as the Douglas and the Percy. We have them before us in this historic novel of Otterbourne-brave knights and fair dames, and sturdy followers, with "battles, sieges, fortunes"-such as are dear to the lovers of romance. The work will be read with interest, either as a tale or a description of the habits and manners of our fighting forefathers, when the sword was the sole arbiter of all disputes, and right was ever upon the side of the strongest. The stout old knight, Sir John of Coupland, and his daughter, the fair Amise, will be the favourite characters, but there are many others who, though less prominent, will grow into the good graces of the reader. We have said much in the writer's praise; we must add a few sentences of an opposite character. The author of "Otterbourne" apparently formed a glossary of hard, obsolete, and incomprehensible words before he commenced his story, and introduced them upon all occasions when it was possible so to do. This is a grievous fault-the idea was most unfortunate-it materially injures the work-in the first place because it looks like affectation, in the next because we are continually puzzled to make out the meaning intended to be conveyed. There is scarcely a page throughout the work to which our objection does not apply. We are eternally startled by black-letter phrases, we have never met before, and hope never to meet again in a publication meant for readers of the nineteenth century. The author of " Otterbourne" has abilities of a very high order; and he will do well in future to remember that he writes for those who cannot every now and then turn to the authorities with which he is himself so well acquainted.

The String of Pearls, by the author of Darnley. 2 vols. small 8vo.

Many men, many minds; this is fortunate in most instances, but in none more than in point of literary taste; while one reader will rove delightedly through "the pleasant paths of poesie," another will prefer the more actual scenes in prose. We have heard one of our high legal dignities, one who delights not in Lord Byron, and declares he never read Sir Walter Scott, say that his great enjoyment lay in the "Arabian Nights." Such a taste will be gratified to the

kites, and of some things less pleasant,-to wit, grammars and copy-books, to say nothing of their consequences. We, like children, to love fairy lore, it cultivates in them the imaginative faculty, and lays up in the mind a little store of rich imagery, which will often be matter of grateful memory in after-days: our own reminiscences of the "White Cat," would be a heavy loss could they vanish, and "leave no trace behind" of those glad hours when we believed kings wore crowns, and that bad and good actions were sure of their reward. We are greatly pleased with the volumes before us; there is much variety of adventure, with a due number of princesses in distress, rescued by brave and handsome princes. A rich vein of fancy runs through the whole, and the descriptions are as gorgeous as the East, to which they belong. Mr. James has been very happy in the choice of his locale; India has as yet been little made the territory of fiction. We conclude by observing that the youthful reader will obtain much information in these pages of Oriental customs and superstitions.

An Essay on the Weeds of Agriculture, with their common and botanical Names; their respective Characters and bad Qualities; whether as infesting Samples of Corn or encumbering the Soil; also Practical Remarks on their Destruction, by fallowing or otherwise. The posthumous Work of Benjamin Holditch, Esq. late Editor of the Farmers' Journal. Edited by G. Sinclair, F.L.S., F.H.S, Author of Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis, Corresponding Member of the Caledonian Horticultural Society of Edinburgh, of the Honourable the Board of Agriculture of Studtgart, and Nurseryman, New Cross, London. Third Edition.

This is the posthumous work of a man who distinguished himself in the republic of letters. The first part only being perfected in manuscript by the Author, was bequeathed to the present Editor, who has supplied what was wanting to complete the original design. It is respectably executed, and accompanied by very accurate illustrations, which add greatly to its value. We agree with the Editor, that "it is unnecessary to mention the advantages of a manual on such a subject, of so much importance to good husbandry, and which cannot be too often or too early impressed on the minds of young farmers, for whose especial use the Author designed his Essay." We contidently hope that its general circulation will confer substantial benefit upon the Author's widow and family, who are to receive whatever profits arise from its sale.

THE ANNUALS.

"The Annuals" are now blossoming, and, we trust, flourishing around us. A few of our old acquaintances have died off, and their places have been supplied with more promising off-sets of the same agreeable, but numerous, family, Among the deaths we have to reckon "The Gem" and "The Winter's Wreath." With the former went the occupation of Mr. Abraham Cooper, R.A., the artist of the horses; and with the latter that of Mr. Chorley, an accomplished writer and a judicious editor. Among the births we have to include "The Book of Beauty" and "Turner's Landscape Annual;" the first under the editorship of Miss Landon, and the second under that of Mr. Leitch Ritchie. Some two or three others of less pretension, to which we shall presently accord some notice, have also entered upon life. It is clear, however, there are too many of the class; and that, although there may be a hundred thousand purchasers of such works, if the market be overstocked, the chance of profit is very small. We believe the general opinion is that the gains bear no proportion to the expense and risk attending such costly publications; and that, consequently, the appear. ance of a new competitor is but another step towards the downfall of the race. We contemplate their extinction with much regret. They are at once pleasant and useful, and make their approaches in so insinuating a guise, and levy so trifling a tax for the advantages they give, that we shall miss them from our literature as we would so many gay butterflies from a field in spring. We wish, however, that we may augur wrongly, and that the time of their departure is yet far distant. Certain it is, nevertheless, that if they grow too numerous, and conse quently unprofitable, they must soon cease to exist.

The Forget-me-Not.

Although the first to commence the race, the "Forget-me-Not" has been long since overtaken by more than one competitor, and is now, we regret to say, not among the foremost. It is, however, an old favourite, and has, at least, this one claim to public patronage: in truth, the editor should depend less upon this solitary advantage, and more upon his own exertions to secure success. The volume for 1833 contains two stories from the pen of the author of "Salathiel" they are published without his name, but the writer cannot be mistaken. In this contributor lies the chief strength of the "Forget. me-Not" He has some unworthy associates,such as Nicholas Mitchell, Esq., the author of "Constantinople," or rather a siege thereof,and some who do not suffer even by their vicinity to so powerful a writer as Mr. Croly. The tale of "Jack Shaddock" is of very high characterone of the richest compositions of the kind we have ever read. Miss Isabel Hill ought to ap pear before the world in a more assuming garb than that of an annual contributor to our infor mation and amusement. She has felt her way long enough; it is time that she seek to occupy a station of which few writers of fiction are more deserving. Mr. Charles Swain, Jas. Montgomery, Haynes Bayly, Mary Howitt, W. H. Harrison, and Thomas Hood, (who has given an

imitation of Swift, in which he describes stupid Mr. Lambert as "sitting down on the Dresden shepherdesses' laps," and consequently affording employment for the China-mender,) are the poetical "Helps" of the "Forget-me-Not ;" and the prose papers (besides those of which we have made mention) are by Miss Laurance, Miss Mitford, William L. Stone, Esq., Miss Pardoe, and Miss Landon.

Of the ten plates, we can only speak highly of three-Count Egmont's Jewels, the Emigrant's Daughter, and Giulietta. The first and the third are of considerable merit, and the second is an agreeable print; the others are, however, by no means among the worst of the year.

The Friendship's Offering.

Unity of purpose is always apparent in the "Friendship's Offering." Mr. Pringle is a man of taste and judgment, and his volume bears the character of his own amiable and elegant mind. Taken as a whole, we consider it now, as hereto fore, the best of the Annuals as a literary work. It has rarely or never contained any paper of remarkable character; but all, from page one to page three hundred and eighty-four, has been, and is, decidedly good. The poetry has been supplied by Mrs. Norton, Barry Cornwall, Allan Cunningham, John Clare, T. K. Hervey, the Editor, &c. There is one name, however, new to us, although not so, perhaps, to many of our readers it is one to which we intend rendering more ample justice than our present space permits. The poem of " Viola," by Charles Whitehead, is among the finest and most delicious compositions of modern times; graceful and smooth, yet full of power, abounding in the rarest and best requisites of true poetry: it is, beyond question, the gem of the Annuals for 1833. Of the prose papers, we select for especial notice those of the Rev. C. B. Tayler, Der went Conway, Fraser, Mrs. Lee, Leitch Ritchie, and the author of "London in the Olden Time." "Cromwell House," by the latter, is a fine dramatic story, of exceeding interest, and pictures the Protector with equal truth and spirit. The editor announces that the "Winter's Wreath" has been incorporated with the "Friendship's Offering;" but we can perceive no valuable results from this union. If there be any, it certainly is not manifested by the illustrations; they are paltry to an extreme, without the remotest pretensions to merit, either of design or execution.

The Literary Souvenir.

The volume for 1833 greatly surpasses that for the preceding year; and Mr. Watts has written a very pretty lyric, instead of the satirical attempt by which his work for the past year was so severely attacked. Mrs. Hemans, Wordsworth, T. K. Hervey, Kennedy, and Wil liam and Mary Howitt, have contributed the principal poems. The prose papers of value are those by the author of "Recollections of the Peninsula," William Howitt, Leitch Ritchie, and the editor's lady, whose "Morning in Kensington Gardens" is a delightful essay-the proof of an amiable and observant mind, en

Among the more attractive of the plates are Heydelburg, Frankfort, Rheinstein, Coblence, Andernach (perhaps the gem of the whole), Brussels, Rotterdam, Scheveling, and ." Homeward Bound "the latter a splendid engraving by W. Miller.

In this work, as in others, Mr. Heath has an advantage over all his competitors. His prints are highly finished; we may add, and not exaggerate, "without spot or blemish." The Tour is from the pen of Mr. Leitch Ritchie-a valu. able coadjutor of Mr. Stanfield. His tales and legends are admirable, and his description of places through which he has passed have much freshness and vigour. Altogether the volume is one of the highest attractions, and we have no doubt will amply recompense the publisher.

The Drawing-Room Scrap-Book.

Although the prints which illustrate the "Drawing-room Scrap-Book" are but re-issues of those that have appeared in other publications, we are not disposed to quarrel with a plan that places in our hands nearly forty good works of art for the sum of one guinea. The frontispiece-the famous Earl of Derby and his Countess, the no-less famous Charlotte de la Tremouille-is worth at least half the sum charged for the whole work. The poems that accompany the plates are all from the prolific but ever delightful muse of L. E. L. Many of them are exquisite, and have astonished us greatly when we recollect the difficulty of the task she had undertaken. Some of the best compositions are associated with subjects apparently the most uninviting; for examples, Liverpool and Lord Durham are two. The book is worthy to lie upon the drawing-room table of the great-but not of the great only. It is accessible to those whose means are limited.

The Geographical Annual.

A very beautiful and useful work-in comparison to which all the other annuals sink into comparative insignificance; for their intrinsic value is small indeed when placed beside it. Neither drawing-room table, nor library, nor public office should be without this most convenient, profitable, and elegant companion.

The Biblical Annual.

A work on the same plan, and with similar external attractions. Its nature is indicated by its name. It should be made the associate of the Bible by all who desire to learn as they read.

The Landscape Album.

This is a republication in a more convenient form of "Westall's Views in England and Wales." Sixty prints for about three-pence each, with letter-press descriptions, and a substantial and tasteful binding into the bargain. It is, indeed, a cheap book.

The Aurora Borealis.

This is a new annual, edited by Members of the Society of Friends, with an uninviting-looking lady called "the Bride" as a frontispiece. We like it not. "The Friends" are not "exclusives" in literature. If the book were published to forward their peculiar views, or to spread their peculiar tenets, there would be reason in the publication. But a collection of tales and poems, upon a vast variety of topics-the greater part indifferent enough-can render little service to their cause, whether religion, or profit, be the object that has led to the appearance of the "Aurora Borealis." It is dedicated to the Duke of Bedford, upon what grounds we know not; the name of the Duchess might have been with greater propriety inscribed upon the page. The worthy and excellent, but simpleminded, class of persons, commonly called Quakers," must be strangely altered if the book find favour in their sight.

The Elgin Annual.

The Editor of this Annual, Mr. Grant of the "Elgin Courier," is the only prose contributor to the volume, although his poetry has been gathered from various sources. It is badly printed, and the plates are poor enough, but there is much among its contents that would do credit to a work of far higher pretensions. Mr. James, Dr. Bowring, Thomas Atkinson, and John Malcolm, have given their assistance to Mr. Grant, who, at all events, deserves well of the people of Elgin, if he may not look for success elsewhere. His object is a very creditable one; and he is evidently a writer of considerable talent. It would give us pleasure to speak in better terms of his publication than we feel justified in doing.

Christmas Tales.

We believe this volume is also an Annual. The editor and author is Mr. Harrison, a gentleman of very high talents. His "Tales of a Physician" we have heretofore recommended to our readers. We can scarcely think him worthily employed in producing this work. It is evidently " got up" for the purpose of using some half-a-dozen plates originally intended to illus. trate the Waverley novels. They have been rebaptized. The name of the Lawyer's Daughter has been given to Helen M'Gregor, and so forth.

We believe all the Annuals that have been issued, have thus passed under review. Our notice of each has been necessarily brief, yet it has occupied a space by no means inconsiderable. If they continue to increase, they must, we sup pose, have a review to themselves. There are yet two to appear-and from the specimens we have seen, they are likely to be the most excellent of the whole race. The Book of Beauty" one, and "Turner's Landscape Annual" the other. We shall be enabled to notice them next month, and if our expectations of them be realized, they will both call for unqualified praise,

is