PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

Tim most season-looking publications of the week are three handsome Gift- books from Mr. Bogus; reminding one of coming Christmas, and of past times, when the appearance of "The Keepsake" and "The Court Album" ranked among literary events with many, and Mr. Roscoe and others tra- velled "from the vine-covered hills and gay valleys of France," (illustrated by the pencil of Turner,) even as far North as Moscow and Petersburg, to do what Mr. Henry Mayhew is now attempting for the Rhine. As timely, though quite in a different way, is "Currency Self-regulating and Elastic, explained in a letter to the Duke of Argyll "—if the writer can fulfil the promise of his titlepage, which we greatly doubt. There are many schemes of currency promulgated, whose authors have not been at the pains to master the principles of the subject they boldly undertake to settle. Besides the foregoing, the latter part of the week has produced severe/ books of promise. Messrs. Smith and Elder have sent the "Two Summer Cruises" of the Reverend R. E. Hughes with the Baltic Fleet; Mr. Lovell Reeve, the "Last of the Arctic Voyages," being Sir Edward Belcher's Narra- tive of the Expedition under his command in search of Sir John Franklin, with a good many notes on the natural history by first-rate men. A trans- lation of Edmond About's "Greece and the Greeks of the Present Day" has reached us from Messrs. Constable.

Mr. Kingston publishes two volumes of "Wanderings in Western Canada"; a trodden field, but still affording matter for fresh obser- vation. Last, not least, Lord Broughton, with Mr. Murray's aid, has sent forth a new edition of the Travels of John Cam Hobhouse, made in Greece, &c. in company with Byron nearly fifty years ago, and now become his- torical.

BOOKS.

The Keepsake, 1856. Edited by Miss Power. With beautifully-finished Engravings, from Drawings by the first Artists, engraved under the superintendence of Mr. Fredenck A. Heath.

The Court Album : a Series of Portraits of the Female Aristocracy, en- graved by the best Artists.

2'he _Rhine and its Picturesque Scenery. Illustrated by Birket Foster. Described by Henry Mayhew. Rotterdam to Mayence.

Currency Self-regulating and Elastic, explained in a Letter to the Duke of Argyll; with introductory Chapters on the Nature of Capital and of Money, and an Historical Sketch of British Currency Systems. Two Summer Cruises with the Baltic Fleet, in 1854-'5. Being the Log of the "Pet," 8 Tons, E.T.Y.C. By the Reverend Robert Edgar Hughes, M.A., Fellow of Magdalen College, Cambridge.

The Last of the Arctic Voyages, being a Narrative of the Expedition in H.M.S. Assistance, under the command of Captain Sir Edward Bel- cher, 0./3., in search of Sir John Franklin, during the years 1852-'63-'64. With Notes on the Natural History, by Sir John Ri- chardson, Professor Owen,' Thomas Bell, .T. W. Salter, and Level Reeve. In two volumes. Published under the Authority of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.

Greece and the Greeks of the Present Day. By Edmond About. Western Wanderings ; or a Pleasure Tour in the Canadas. By William H. G. Kingston, Author of "The Prime Minister," 8co. &c. In two

volumes.

Travels in Albania and other Provinces of Turkey, in 1809 and 1810. By the Right Hon. Lord Broughton, G.C.B. In two volumes. A new edition.

The Story of the Campaign of Sebastopol, written in the Camp. By Lieutenant-Colonel E. Bruce Hamley, Captain Royal Artillery ; with Illustrations, drawn in Camp by the Author.

Lilliesleaf : being a concluding Series of Passages in the Life of Mrs. Margaret Maitland, of Sunnyside. Written by Herself. In three- volumes.

My MSS.; a Tale of Olden Islington. By the Author of "Anne Bo- leyn."

Family Interests : a Story taken from Life.

Besides the larger volumes of the Annual class, the season has induced the appearance of several gift-books of a more juvenile kind, combining apt reaffing-ter different ages with a "getting-up" sufficiently pretty. Bits and Charlie is an interesting story of character and incident, designed to in- culcate the advantages of et strict adherence to truth and a steady persist- ence in the discharge of duty. The uniform success which attentstizzlia. and his sister hardly corresponds with the experience of victim' The story is well managed in other respects ; its morals are not axitinually projected before the reader.

Mrs. B. Lee's Sir Thomas is intended to present to the juvenile reader the scenery and natural history of Africa in the neighbourhood of Cape Coast Castle, and the customs and manners of the natives. The framework is founded on the tradition that a Sir Thomas Somebody once attempted a settlement, and quickly perished with all his company, from the effects of the climate. This outline is added to and tilled in by Mrs. Lee in a romantic manner. The tradition that the real Sir Thomas was an outlaw and des- perate man is more consistent with the scheme of settlement than the "ad- ventures of a Cornish Baronet" as told by Mrs. Lee, but not so well fitted for a juvenile book. Allred Crowquill's Tales of Magic and Meaning are perhaps a little in- consistent in the characters ascribed to the fairies and -gnomes ; but this is only perceptible to grown-up critics. The tales themselves are various, ra- pid, and interesting, with good morals attached. Miss Jewabury's Angela, or the Pine Forests in the Alps, is the story of a little foundling of an Alpine village, who goes through a variety of hard- ships and adventures, till he becomes an eminent painter, and discovers his family. There are probably too many incidents for the space ; but the pic- tures of Alpine scenery and manners are very good; and the whole book is animated by a spirit superior to that of most children's tales, though with- out losing the juvenile tone. The two other little books are of a slighter kind. The Martyr Land is a short history of the Vaudois, told by a lady to young listeners. 274 Talk- ing Bird is the story of a little girl who wished to pry into futurity ; and did so by means of a magic dove given to her by an old woman or witch, till ex- perience convinced her of the ill consequences of knowing what was going to happen.

Mia and Charlie; or a Week's Holiday at Rydale Rectory. With Il- lustrations by Birket Foster.

Sir Thomas ; or the Adventures of a Cornish Baronet in North-Western Africa. By Mrs. R. Lee, Author of "The African Wanderers," itc. With Illustrations by John Gilbert. Tales of Magic and Meaning. Written and Illustrated by Alfred Crowqnill, Author of" Funny Leaves for the Younger Branches," he. Angelo ; or the Pine Forest in the Alps. By Geraldine E. Jewsbury, Author of "Constance Herbert," &c. With Illustrations by John Absolon.

The Martyr Land; or Tales of the Vaudois, By the Author of "Sun- light through the Mist," &c. With Frontispiece by John Gilbert.

The Talking Bird, or the Little Girl who knew what was going to happen. By Mary and Elizabeth Kirby, Authors of "The Discon- tented Children," itc, With Illustrations by Hablot K. Browne.

Notwithstanding the great number of existing educational books, their production still continues ; often, we imagine, without much consideration on the part of their authors as to whether the novelty or utility of the new publications is so great as to require their appearance. Of the following, Dr. Kennedy's Palestra Still Latini is a collection of very good English ,paragraphs, from various sources, to be translated into Latin. It is intended for students who "have worked through some good exercise-book, exemplifying the rules of Latin Grammar," and will carry them gradually on from this point to considerable difficulties. We observe no notes or help of any kind.

Though not neglecting the wider range and nicer philology of modern scholarship, the Greek Grammar of Dr. Geddes has the tone of mind of an older day about it. A feature of the book is the prominence given to de- clensions and conjugations. The pupil's knowledge of the Latin grammar is presupposed.

The three "Cards" of Mr. Walford exhibit the outlines of Latin Prosody, and of Greek and Latin Accidence, in a handy form for reference to satisfy a doubt or refresh the memory of the pupil.

Takestra Silk Latini ; or Materials for Translation into Latin Prose, selected and progressively_ arranged for use in Schools and Uni- versities. By Benjamin Hall Kennedy, D.D., Prebendary of Lich- field.

A Greek Grammar, for the use of Schools and Colleges. By W. D. Geddes, A.M., Professor of Greek in University and King's College, Aberdeen.

Card of Latin Prosody, Card of Latin Accidence, and Card of Greek Accidence. By Edward Wallord, M.A., formerly Scholar of Balliol College, Oxford.

The Poetical Works of Augustine Duganne.

[An American importation, and a handsome volume enough. From a sort -of prose introduction it would appear that America is not without a Mtee-enas, in the person of Mr. James Lesley of Philadelphia' whose patronage takes the congenial form of sending forth a complete edition of the poet whom he delighteth to honour. According to Mr. Lesley, Augustine Duganne is a aelebrated name on the other side of the Atlantic ; "one whose verses are gladly welcomed into men's souls—whose noble lyrics have been the timely movers of governmental reforms—whose 'Iron Lyre' bath struck responsive chord in the breast of the man of labour, teaching him the divine dignity of bin-calling—whose stirring strains have cheered the struggling patriot in the van of European freedom," 84c. Distance, however, renders the judgment cooler. Mr. Duganne has the national quality of fluency, and is a clever imitator of other poets, varying his imitations according to the nature of his subjects; but he lacks originality in everything—in thought, in imagery, in sentiment, in style. As may be guessed from Mr. Lesley's panegyric, the poet's political opinions are of an advanced Liberalism. Ile sings the rising of the European nations in 1848- he has his flings at the condition of the poor in England, and at our child-labour ; he attacks the millionaires and merchants of America. Neither does he !pare national vices. He has a long satire upon the literature of America. His "Manifest Destiny" is an attack upon the Mexican war. One of his best things is "The Auto- crat's triumph." "A. Muscovite stood on the Capitol Hill," and, looking about him, saw with delight a slave-gang, and a slave-prisonhouse, and a mob going to assail the office of a newspaper for telling unpalatable truths. The idea, however, is from Person's "Devil's Walk."] The Sea : Sketches of a Voyage to Hudson's Bay; and other Poems. By the Scald.

I" Sketches of a Voyage to Hudson's Bay," the longest poem of the volume, is a sort of versified journal of asea voyage, done in a prosaic literal manner. The " Scald " wants some of the commonest mechanical qualifications of his art ; as witness the opening lines of some verses on the war-

" Once more-the peal of War's loud thunder breaks,

Jehovah rises, and the nation.: shakes." •

Some personal feeling renders a few of the occasional poems t^' • - erabie: but the volume is a mistake.] oln the Colosseum of Borne; or Til.- of Vln, uindred and twenty a.iastmtions and Descriptions four fr- q0108MWM ...=ts growing spontaneously upon the

ruins of the - Rome. By Richard Deakin, M.D., Author

of " Floragraphia-Lritannica."

[The six acres of the Colosseum are considerably extended as regards space ' T the ruins of the gigantic walls, to which some few plants are by nature I Wapted, and over which time has scattered soil capable of nourishing, other plants. Height and aspect have the effect of. producing variety of climate. ! "On the lower North side it is damp, and favourable to the production of ; many plantsdto which moisture is congenial,] while the upper walls are warmer and drier, and consequently better muted for the development of others ; on the South side it is hot and dry, and suited only for the growth ! of differently-constructed tribes." These plants Dr. Deakin has found to extend to 450 species; in which number there are examples of 253 genera, and illustrations of 66 of the natural orders. Of the arranged exposition of these plants the present volume consists. The descriptions are clear, and often accompanied by an account of the properties of the plants, and en- livened by quotations from the poets.]

The Elements of Practical Hydraulics : for the use of Students in En- gliieering. By Samuel Downing, M.A., Professor of Civil Engineer- ing in the Umversity of Dublin. Of the three chapters into which this text-book for engineering students is divided, the first and second are in a_great degree a translation from D'Au- Mason's 2'raite d'Hydraulique. The third chapter, relating to the flow of water in artificial channels, is founded on the formulte in use among English engineers, as more simple than tilos. of LeAnbisson. The volume is illOS- tinted by plates.] Essays for the Age. By Charles F. Howard', Author of "Perseus and his Philosophies," &e. ['A dozen essays on such immediate topics as "Public Opinion," "Routine." The thoughts are often common so far as having been urged before Rome- times commonplace. An sire! novelty is given to them by an imitation of Carlyle's style and a certain smartness in the writer. The spirit is that of "advanced ' and carping Liberalism.] • Introductory Lessons on Morals. By the A.uthor of "Lessons- on the British Constitution."

little book the greater part- of which has already appearedlin a cheap pe- riodical called The Leisure liour.1 The favourable opinion expressed by the Spectator on Professor Maz Mill- let's "Languages of the Seat of War," at its first appearance in the summer of last year, has been confirmed by the demand for a new edition. The other titles explain themselves.

The Languages of the Seat of War in the East. With a Survey of the Three Families of Language, Semitic, Arian, and Turanian. By Max Muller, M.A., Ph. D., Taylorian Professor of European Languages and Literature at the University of Oxford. Second edition ; with an Appendix on the Missionary Alphabet, and an Ethnological Map, drawn by Augustus Petermann.

Evidences of the Christian _Revelation and Lectures on Pale y's _Evi- dences. By Thomas Chalmers, D.D., LL.D. (Select Works of Dr. Chalmers, edited by Dr. Hanna. Volume VL) Left's Diary ; or Bills-Due Book, and an Almanack, for 1856.

Bead and Belled. The Newspaper and General Reader's Pocket Com- panion. Being a familiar Explanation of Classical and Foreign Words, Phrases, and Quotations of constant occurrence in the various Jour- nals, Periodicals, and Publications of the day. By the Author of "Live and Learn."

PAMPHLETS.

The Last Days of the late Emperor of piers, July 1855. By Richard °ostler. Russia, Nicholas ; together with Ea- A few Observations on Canada, and the

tracts from his Will. Translated from other Provinces of British North Ame- the Russian. rico.

Notes on Monetary Panics and Convul- sions, and the Effects of the Currency Acts of 1819 and 1844; also on the Feasibility of creating " a suitable, sound., and sufficient Currency "; with Extracts, References, and illustra- tions. By William Swine'', Consulting Actuary, 8m.; Author of a Letter" On Life and Fire Assurance Companies, established under the Act 7 and 8 Vic. cap. 110."

A Plan for the Elfectual Improvement of the River Thames. By Henry Robin- son, CE., A.I.C.E., M.1.M.E.

Factory Legislation : a Letter caused by the Publication of the Special Report of the Executive Committee of the Na- tional Association of Factory Oecu- The Metropolitan Buildings Act, 18 and 19 Viet. cap. 125; and Notes of Cases explanatory of its Law and Practice : with Appendices. By Frederick W. Laxton, of the Middle Temple, Barris- ter-at-law.

On the Advancement of Learning in Scot- land : a Letter to the Lord Provost and Town-Council of Edinburgh, Pa- trons of the University. By John Stuart Blackie, Professor of Greek.

What is Technology? an Inaugural Lec- ture, delivered in the University of Edinburgh on November-7, 1855. By George Wilson, M.D., F.R.S.E., Re- gius Professor of Technology in the University, and Director of the Indus- trial Museum of Scotland.