PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

Booss.

The Gap of Barnesmore; a Tale of the Irish Highlands, and the Revolu- tion of 1688. In three volumes.

Gowrie; or the King's Plot. By G. P. B. James, Esq. (Works of G. P. R. James. VoL XVII.) Sketches of the Progress of Civilisation and Public Liberty; with a View of the Political Condition of Europe and America in 1848. By John Macgregor, M.P. [A rapid and comprehensive survey of ancient and modern history, in order to show that the progress of civilization has been owing to tradingindustry. Ancient history is summarily dismissed ; that of the middle ages is more fully treated, especially on commercial and financial matters; in the course of which some very useful facts respecting Germany are brought together. Mr. M'Gregor also ex- amines the condition of Europe at the present time, to settle what is necessary to be done to secure the British empire from revolution, economical distress, and war. The possibility of the last evil Mr. M'Gregor would remove by non- interference: the following is his prescription for internal evils- " That the affairs of the country shall have the blessing of being administered by a wise, just, and capable Government.

"That there shall be great economy in the expenditure. "That there shall be a searching Enquiry with regard to all monies corruptly granted and that no part of the taxes shall be paid except for supporting national credit, and for services actually performed. "That there shall be a Finance Minister who has the perception, knowledge, lag- ment, and resolution to carry Into effect a practicable and just reduction of the public expenditure, and who will grapple honestly and fearlessly and intelligibly with the whole question of an equitable revision of the taxation. "That there shall not be a finality with regard to the present state of the represent's- tion of the people in Parliament. And lastly, " That there shall not be that exclusion, which the aristocracy have maintained around the Throne, and which prevents the Sovereign from knowing only the oligarchy, who prevent her from knowing the people."

There is some vagueness of generalization here: the public are pretty much at one upon the desirableness of certain improvements—what they want is the means of getting them effected. An analogous criticism may be extended to the whole production. The field of universal history is too vast to be surveyed in the space to which the author has confined himself; and hence a too general or superficial character is frequently visible.] The Relations of the Dutchies of Schleswig and Holstein to the Crown of Denmark and Germanic Confederation, and the Treaty Engagements of the Great European Powerain reference thereto. By Travers Twiss, D.C.L., FRS., &c.

[This volume exhibits the same merits that distinguished Dr. Twiss's views on Die Oregon question. The subject is fully considered, presented in an orderly ar- rangement, and handled with judicial temper and fairness. The history of Den- mark and the Dutchies, with certain peculiarities of the feudal tenure, are first exhibited; the German and Danish arguments are next stated and examined; the relations of the Dutchies to the Germanic Confederation follow; and finally the treaty engagements of the great European Powers are considered: an appen- dix contains a variety of treaties and state papers bearing upon the subject; some of which, we understand, are published for the first time.

As a treatise on an international question, the book is one of great merit; but it wants the variety of the Oregon question, as well as the intereat of the voyages and travels of that work, and the curious bibliographical learning and delicate irony which Dr. TWiliS brought to bear on the claims of" Uncle Saill:1

A Dictionary of the English Language; containing the whole Vocabulary of the First Edition in two volumes quarto; the entire Corrections and Improvements of the Second Edition in two volumes royal octavo; to which is prefixed, an Introductory Dissertation on the Origin, History, and Connexion of the Languages of Western Asia and Europe, with an • Explanation of the Principles on which Languages are Formed. By Noah Webster, LL.D., Member of the American Philosophical Society, &c. Revised and enlarged, by Chauncey A. Goodrich, Professor in Yale College. With Pronouncing Vocabularies of Scripture, Classical, and Geographical Names.

[The reputation of Welister's Dictionary is so well established, that any re- marks upon it are needless; its critical peculiarity of describing rather than dog- matically, defining the meaning of some words perhaps rather contributing to its popularity than otherwise. The present revised and enlarged edition ap- pears under the auspices of Mr. Bphn; who has taken every precaution to insure as complete a work as is practicable in a production of such magnitude and ex- tent. f he editorship was placed in the hands of Professor Goodrich, a member of Dr. Webster's family, who had access to the memoranda the Doctor left behind him in contemplation of a new edition; the substance of which labours is embodied in the present publication. Technical and scientific terms have been submitted to competent individuals; reference has been continually made to all the recent philological publications, whether general—as Richardson's large English Diction- ary, or local—as the county vocabularies and dialects published by Halliwell and Others; while the definition of words of a learned character has not been fixed till after a collation of the newest information—as in classical antiquities, Smith's lately published work. There are also minor improvements of various kinds, and eeveral additions—as a vocabulary of Bible classical, and geographical names, with their pronunciation; and, last though to many not least, the whole, although qularged, has been 'compressed into a single volume.]

' The Sailor's Hornbook for the Law of Storms: being a Practical Ex- position of the Theory of the Law of Storms; and its Uses to Mariners of all classes in all parts of the world shown by transparent Storm Cards and useful Lessons. By Henry Piddington, President of Marine Courtsz of Inquiry, Calcutta.

[The object of this publication is to instruct the mariner in the knowledge of Colonel Raid's "law of storms," and its practical application in a hurricane. The book contains a brief historical sketch of the history of the theory, till the lobo= of Reid changed the theory into a law, and further showed in what manner aknow- ledge of that law might beeome nanny available to the mariner. These points —the law of storms, and the mode of meeting them—are very fully handled by 211r. Piddington, both after Colonel Reid and from his own stores; the subjects being illustrated by many facts, and by practical directions. The Sailor's forts-

is written with a homely plainness to adapt it to the comprehension of nautical men; but there is nothing to render it distasteful to the educated ma- riner, for a man interested in an important professional subject hardly regards a Itttlefulness and diffusion.] Railways and Agriculture in North Lincolnshire: Rough Notes of a Ride over the Track of the Manchester, Sheffield, Lincolnshire, and other Rail- ways. By Samuel Sidney. [A variety of illustrative facts, or practical remarks on the importance of railways to the agricultural interest, reprinted from the Agricultural Gazed'] Testimony to the Truth; or the Autobiography of an Atheist.

[This volume professes to be the real autobiography of the writer; giving an ac- count of some of his adventures in Australia, as well as the history of his mind --of his lapse from religion to infidelity, and then of his conversion from infi- d,elity to religion. The e.uxedingly special character of his mental experiences, the accidents by which he was turned from Atheism to Deism, and thence step by step to Christianity, seem to support the representation of reality; but on the other hand, Testimony to the Truth smacks strongly of the religio-didactic novel. The book, however, is not very remarkable. The incidents and style of the nar- rative have a literal air, without being-very real; and the external accidents, or inward movements of the mind that influence the hero, are so special, that one is often at a loss to see how any general instruction can be drawn from them.]

Edo Morton and her Cousins; or School-room Days.

[Ede Morton is a Highland hoyden, who is brought to the accomplishments of refined life without losing her mountain freshness, by the example of her cousins and family, and the address of their governess. The book has a higher tone and more general incidents than belong to the juvenile tale in general, without losing the youthful air appropriate to the persons; and the characters are drawn with vivacity and truth.]

Bibliotheca Londitzetzsis: a Classified Index to the Literature of Great Britain during Thirty Years. Arranged from and serving as a Rey to the London Catalogue of Books, 1814-46, which contains the title, size, price, and publisher's name of each work.

[A classified digest of all the books that have been published in Great Britain between 1814 and 1846, compiled from the London Catalogue of publications for that time. The book is almost indispensable to the student, bibliographer, or bookseller, as presenting in a single volume so large a mass of facts, readily re- ferred to by the manner in which the books are arranged under their subjects, as well as by a table of reference. The Bibliotheca Londinensis (so far as we have examined it) only contains the title of the work and the author's name: the size, price, publisher, and number of volumes, is to be sought for in the London Cata- logue, to which this volume is only intended as an easy reference.]

CoAfirmation Records. By the Reverend G. R. Monereiffi MA., Rector of Tattenhall.

[Mr. Dioncreiff appears to pay considerable attention to the education and con- firmation of the youthful part of his parishioners, and this publication indicates the means adopted. It contains skeletons of sermons he has preached, addresses he has made to the candidates, printed questions which they answer in writing if they can write, with extracts apparently from a journal kept in relation to these proceedings. Its interest is rather of a technical than a general kind; but Con- firmation Records contains useful hints to the parochial clergyman.] The Angler's Assistant: comprising Practical Directions for Bottom-Fish- ing, Trolling, &c. With ample Instructions for the Preparation and Use of Tackle and Baits, &c. By William Carpenter. LTIre Angler's Assistant claims to be a multum in parvo, giving briefer informa- tion than the great standard works, and better information than other books OR the gentle craft. As far as subjects go, there are many of them: descriptions of fresh-water fish; accounts of the rivers and fishing-waters of England, county by county; directions about fishing-tackle, baits, and the haunts of fish, as well SS some instructions on practical angling. The number of topics, coupled eith the smallness of the book, induces a brevity which often becomes curt or superficial: the best parts of the volume are communications from individual anglers on ape. eial branches of the art]

The Book of South Wales, the British Channel, Monmouthshire, and .Me Wye. With a Picture of Bristol. By Charles Frederick Cliffs. illus- trated with Maps and Engravings. Second edition, enlarged. [We noticed The Book of South Wales on its first appearance last year, as an excellent guide to a romantic region very accessible though little known. The new edition has been improved in various ways by fresh facts and additional iufor- matMn, increasing the new matter by at least one fourth.] • The Child's First English Grammar. By Richard Hiley, Author of an " English Grammar" &c.

[The useful feature in this little book is the questions and exercises on each les- son; perhaps the roles are occasionally a touch too scientific and complex for very young children, for whom the publication is designed. In these cases, how- ever, much depends upon the teacher.] The Contrast, and other Poems. By David Wardlaw Scott, Author of "Dora Marcelti, the Last of her Race."

[Verses on seine of the questions that excite the philanthropy of the day--as peace versus war, the distressed needlewomen, &c.] PRINTS.

Views in France, Switzerland, the Tyrol, and Italy. By Hugh Wood, Eaq. LA handsomely got-up collection of views, artistically executed, by Mr. Hugh Wood; with a very able use of lithographic resources. The region possesses an uncommon interest at this moment: no newspaper reader can fail to welcome striking portraitures of such places as Naples, Innaprack, or the banks of the Adige.] The Waterloo Portrait of Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington. Painted by Sir Thomas Lawrence; engraved by Samuel Cousens. [An excellent transcript of the original picture. Indeed, we think that Mr. Samuel Cousens, while faithfully following Lawrence, has improved upon the effect; which is broader and more forcible in the engraving than it is in the painting.] Vertebrate Animals—Invertebrate Animals. In two large sheets.

[Mr. Paterson has done much to extend the most ennobling of studies, natural history, in schools; and the two lithographic prints before as are designed to facil- itate the use of his works. A characteristic specimen is taken from each of the ei.ases of thivier, and ranged in -a tabular series, presenting at one glance a view ot the two great divisions, the vertebrate and the invertebrate animals. The student is thus helped torefer the immediate subject of study to its proper place in the classification.]

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