PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED, F'rom February rith to February 23d.

BOOKS.

Narrative of a Journey to Kalat, including an Account of the Insurrec- tion at that place in 1840 ; and a Memoir an Eastern Balochistan. By CHARLES MASSON, Esq.

Judas ; a Tragic Mystery. By Droav P. STARKEY, A.M.

The Scottish. Heiress ; a Novel. In three volumes.

Elements of Universal History, on a new and systematic plan ; from the

earliest times to the treaty of Vienna. To which is added, a Summary of the leading events since that period. For the use of schools and of

private students. By H. WHITE, B.A., Trinity College, Cambridge. [This is an attempt to exhibit, in one thick volume, a general view of the his• tory of the world, divided into an arrangement of centuries; a plan to which the compiler attaches more value than we do, as it frequently leads to an arbitrary suspension or division of a narrative, without accomplishing the object Mr. WHITE aims at—the prevention of '• that confusion of dates and occurrences so common with those who have read history in detached portions." As a compilation, the Elements of Universal History is entitled to great praise : the writer has taken a firm grasp of his subject, he exhibits a just estimate of things, and separates, by typographical divisions, the narrative of events from the commentary upon them, where he deems a commentary necessary. The treat- ment gradually grows iu length as it approaches our own times; and at the conclusion of important epochs the works necessary for a further course of reading are pointed out. But, notwithstanding the merits of the book, we are inclined to think the author more able than his work. The mag- nitude and mass of the subject have, as it were, overpowered him ; so that, in endeavouring to avoid the dryness of mere enumeration of facts, his narrative is sometimes so allusive that the information it contains will scarcely he per- ceived by those who moat want it ; and sometimes, in attempting to generalize, the author does not convey the results of the history, while he loses the parti- culars of an historical narrative. A striking example of this occurs in the ac- count of the forty-first century B. c.—" Creation of the World"—which really tails nothing at all to those who know nothing. These defects, we fancy, are almost inseparable from any attempt to compress so vast a subject into so smalls space, if the narrative instead of the critical form be chosen. And the conclu- sion seems to be, that there is no royal road to history, any more than to other things ; that those who wish to learn a thing must be prepared to expend both time and study ; and that beyond the chronological facts and the stories, his- tory cannot be understood by boys, or for that matter by manygrown-up men.] Introductory Latin Delectus: with a copious Vocabulary. By GEORGE FERGUSON, A.M., one of the Masters of the Edinburgh Academy;

Author of "The Edinburgh Academy Delectus," &c.

[A. book of selections for the tyro beginning to construe Latin. It consists of two parts; the first containing examples of the leading principles of syntax, from the nominative case and the verb to a full sentence; the second part con- sisting of paragraphs, both in prose and verse, short at the commencement, and gradually extending to half a page or longer. A vocabulary of the words used is added to supersede the necessity of a dictionary. A difficulty in English books for beginners is, to find subjects in which children take an interest, and words which are easy in themselves and whose reality or image is familiar to the mind. With a foreign language this difficulty is increased by the extent to which national habits may differ, and another is soperadied, to find phrases that will render into at least decent English : for, though the idiom of a lan- guage must be learned, idiomatic nicety seems a needless obstacle till the pupil has acquired some familiarity with mere construction, and a small store of words. This difficulty is further aggravated by separating the elegant idioms of classic writers from the context, and presenting phrases which derive their beauty and almost their meaning from the sentence in and perhaps the circumstances under which they are used. In this respect all the selections we have met with fall short, or rather the object desiderated never seems to have been aimed at. The principal difference between the Introductory Latin Delectus, and other publications, seems to be in the bulk, which may make this book somewhat cheaper ; and in the definitions in the vocabulary, which seem to us too nu- merous. One meaning to one word is the golden rule for children beginning a language, and should be obtained even if a vocabulary be attached to each section. in many words the meanings of the dictionary before us is almost as full as Entkk.] Treatment of the Diseases of the Eye by means of Prussic Acid Vapour and other Medicinal Agents. By A. TURNBULL, M.D. Edin., Author of " A. Treatise on Painful and Nervous Diseases," &c.

[In cases of poisoning by prussic acid, the eye, instead of becoming dim, re- tains a glistening appearance for some time after death. This fact suggested the idea to Dr. TURNBULL that this potent medicine might have some specific effect upon the or"an, and induced him to try it in various cases of diseased eyes attended with partial or total blindness; and he says with considerable success. The publication before us contains his letters to different journals explanatory of his views upon and method of applying prussic acid and other medicinal agents, with a variety of cases by himself and other prac- titioners, illustrative of the efficacy of this new treatment.] Poems : Tributes to Scarborough, Odes on Wellington and Napoleon, Haddon Hall, Ode on the Ruins of Conisbro' Castle, &c. By BEN. FENTON.

[The author of this volume must be a veteran in his art, for some of his poems date back nearly forty years, and carry the mind to the days of French inva- sion and British volunteers. In subject often, and in style always, he may therefore be said to have fallen upon too late an age. Nor is he equal to lofty themes. But he has studied the forms of his art in a good school; and he seldom fails in the finished flow of his verse, though his sentiments may be trivial or commonplace, or his thoughts and diction not exactly congruous. In minor subjects he is sometimes rather happy, though he seldom sustains his theme throughout. The poems are all occasional.]

Raymond; a Tale of Truth.

[A commonplace story or series of ill-connected stories, probably founded, as the titlepage intimates, on real occurrences, but not looking very real in the narration. Besides deficiency of matter and want of art, the story is un- necessarily spun out by digressive reflections.] The Hand-Book of Water-Colours; a brief treatise on their qualities and effects when employed in painting, with some account of the general nature of colours. By W. WINSOR and H. C. NsWTON, artist's colour-makers.

[A key to the water-colour-box ; indicating briefly and :intelligently the na- ture of the various pigments, and the properties of each, to guide the artist in his selection.] The Ladies' Hand-book of Embroidery on Muslin and Lace-work. By the Author of "The Ladies' Worlh;table Book," &c.

[Plain directions for embroidery-work, ilfustrated with cuts, and made ludi• crone by fine writing.]

PERIODICALS.

Chambers's London Journal of History, Literature, Poetry, Biography, and Adventure. Edited by E. L. BLANCHARD, Esq. Volume [Although so closely resembling the title of Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, the London "disclaims all connexion" with that work,—which is perhaps a little too strong; and "invites comparison." As far as mere literature is con- cerned—tales, notices, anecdotes, articles, and extracts—Chambers's London Journal is a clever, tasteful, and amusing work ; and as regards price and quantity, may challenge competition with any cheap publication. Independ- ently, however, of the trifling merit of originality, the London Journal is de- ficient in the definite character, practical purpose, and just appreciation of men and things, which distinguish Chambers's Edinburgh Journal ; and in some of its original papers it has too much of the article-writer or litterateur about it. Another point, though rather abstract than practical, is its chary use of refer- ences!; which might induce a suspicion that some of the matter that appears original is really borrowed.] The Irish Farmer's Journal, and Magazine of Rural and Domestic Economy. Edited by JOHN SPROULE, Author of " A Treatise on Agriculture," &c. Nos. I. and 11.

ILLUSTRATED WORKS AND PRINTS.

Songs of Shakspere Illustrated by the Etching Club. Presented to the Subscribers of the Royal Polytechnic Art Union.

Only a few of SHAKSPERE'S Songs have been illustrated by the Etching Club, and these not in a spirit of invention commensurate with the demands of the subjects : the artists are more at home with GOLDSMITH and THOMSON than SHARSPERE. The sea-beach with the moonlit waves dashing on the shore, by C. STONHOUSE, and the forest solitude by CREBWICH, are beautiful studies of nature ; but something more is required to embody the sentiments of such songs as "Under the greenwood tree" and "Come unto these yellow sands." " Poor Barbara," " Sighing by a sycamore tree," as represented by R. REDGRAYE, looks rather maudlin ; Autolycus " in T. WEBSTER'S de- sign has less character than the group of villagers round him ; and C. Hons- LET'S " Lady sweet " is surely not the object of the serenade " Hark ! the lark "—she must have been awakened by mistake. J. P. KNIGHT'S illustration of Iago's drinking-song is a spirited plagiarism from VANDYKE; and "Crabbed age and youth" are well portrayed by C. W. COPE—though the lady is neither so young nor so handsome as she is disdainful. The most characteristic scene is the group of huntsmen, with hounds and horns, saluting him "who kill'd the deer"; ; and who looks grave at their merry award of "his leathern skin and horns to wear," as though the joke wee a bitter one. However, the designs are quite good enough for the purpose to which they are devoted,—namely, a bait for a polytechnic lottery; and they are picturesque and effective to the eye.] Abbotsford Edition of the Waverley Novels, Part XXII.

MAPS.

Map of the Oregon Districts and the Adjacent Country. By JAMES WYLD, Geographer to the Queen. [The maps hitherto published by Mr. WYLD have been quite as much cha- racterized by their seasonableness—by the judgment shown in bringing out a map of a district at the exact moment when public curiosity was directed to it— as by any great care to use the most recent materials, to examine them criti- cally, or to communicate any high degree of artistical finish to them. They have been periodicals in map-making—intended to serve a transitory purpose. In works of this kind, it would be unjust to demand the same painful research, scientific accuracy, or high finish, that are looked for in maps of higher pre- tensions and price. But in that now before us, a mere reproduction of the common map, the toleration demanded for the slovenliness of ephemeral maps is pushed to its extreme limits. It is lithographed, and the unavoidable de- fects of maps executed by that process are exaggerated by the slovenly style of the lithography. At first the hills look like an accumulation of blots by an awkward schoolboy. The river-courses are so carelessly scratched that it is often difficult to trace a stream from its mouth to its source, and the few routes laid down are still more indistinctly delineated : the very lettering is indistinct. The maps on a smaller scale, introduced to show the extent of the British pos- sessions in North America, and the sea-routes from the North-west coast of America to China and Australia, are still worse—they are evidently made, like the Jew's razors, not to be used but to be sold.]

PAMPHLETS.

The Speech of the Right Honourable Viscount Howick, in the House of Commons, on Monday, 13th February 1843, on moving for a Com- mittee of the whole House to consider so much of her Majesty's Speech as refers to " that depression of the manufacturing interests of the country which has so long prevailed, and which her Majesty has so deeply lamented." Observations on the Elective Franchise and Fixity of Tenure as connected with Agricultural Improvement. Addressed to the Landlord, Land- holders, and Tenantry of Ireland. By J. L. W. NAPER, Esq., of Loughcrew. A Short Address as a Word of Advice to the Small Farmers and Peasantry q the County of Tipperary, from their friend and fellow-countryman, THOMAS GEORGE STONEY, J.P.

Victoriaism ; or a Reorganization of the People, Moral, Social, Econo- mical, and Political: suggested as a remedy for the present distress. Letters Addressed to the Editor of " The Voice of Jacob" ; being Replies to the Observations contained in Nos. 37 and 39 of that publication. By the Writer of the Preface to the lately-published Mishns.

The Drainage of Lands, combined with the Sewerage of Towns ; a few Suggestions offered for consideration previous to the passing of any act either for the drainage of lands or the sewerage of towns. (Reprinted from the Westminster Review.)