PIIRLICATIONS RECEIVED.

BOOKS.

The lifonumentalffistory of .Eggpt, is recorded' on the Ruins of her Temples, Palaces, and Tombs. By William (Mum, R.S.L., Author of " The Antiquities of Egypt," ere. In two volumes.

Histoire de la _Revolution Fraiavaise. Par M. Louis Blanc. Tome sixieme. Edition Francabse.

The War : Who's to _Blame? A complete Analysis of the Diplomatic Correspondence regarding the Eastern Question. By Inn& Mao- queen, Esq., F.R.G.S., Author of "Geography of Africa," &c..

The Brain in relation to the Mind. By Joseph Swan..

Poems. By William Stephen &rides. The Keepsake, 1866. Edited by Miss Power. With beautifully-finished Engraviuge, from Drawings by the first Artists, engraved under the superintendence of Mr. Frederick A. Heath.. The Court Album; a Series of Portraits of the Female Aristocracy. Engraved by the best Artists. 27w Golden Legend. By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Illustrated with fifty Engravings on Wood, from Designs by Birket Foster and Jane E. Hay.

Historic Notes on.the Books of the Old and New Testaments. By Sa- muel Sharpe.

[According to Mr. Sharpe, a complete commentary on the Bible should con- tain many topics. One should be theological, another moral, a third pekoe- logical, and a fourth grammatical. There might be commentaries on geo- graphy, natural history, manners and customs. 'One -clearly "should be historical, to explain the history of the books by means of the history of the nation. Such is the aim of the present work."

Besides an introductory account of the Old and the New Testament, and several brief essays of a general character,—as the remarks on the poetry of the Hebrews, the chronology of the Old Testament,—the volume contains a bibliographical and critical analysis of all the Scriptural books, from Genesis to Revelations. This analysis contains a sketch of the contents of each book,

i and endeavours to fix by internal evidence, or the style of the language, the period when it was written, or the age to which particular parts belong. In a literary view the Historic Notes is a remarkable book. Under the form of a commonplace-looking abstract or analysis, it contains

the results of extensive 'miring, sacred and profane' expressed so briefly as to appear dogmatic, and so simply as to seem addressed to the humblest per- sons. Yet in reality it contains the essential conclusions of the lifelong studies of the translator of the New Testament and of the author of the His- tory of Egypt. It seems superfluous to observe, that Mr. Sharpe does not belong to the school which adheres implicitly to the literal inspiration of the Scriptures.]

The Concessions of the Apostle Paul and the Claims of the Truth. From the French of the Count Agenor de Gasparin, Author of " The Schools of Doubt and the School of Faith."

[The object of the eloquent Frenchman is to denounce the timidity or time- servingness of those Christians who pervert some parts of Scripture in order to conceal or stop short of truths, and to urge the enunciation of religious truth under all circumstances. "The Claims of the Truth" was originally published in the Archives the Christianisnie. The " Concessions" have not yet appeared ; the translation being made from the manuscript furnished by M. de Gasparin.]

The Story of the Peasant-Boy Philosopher; or " a Child gathering Peb- bles on the Sea-shore." Founded on the early life of Ferguson the Shepherd-Boy Astronomer, and intended to show how a poor lad be- came acquainted with the principles of Natural Science. By Henry Mayhew, Author of "London Labour and the London Poor."

[The object of Mr. Mayhew in this story is to interest the young in the prin- ciples and study of natural philosophy by investing them with a dramatic character. The idea is derived from the biography of Ferguson' whose innate aptitude for mechanics and mathematics was first excited through seeing his father raise the roof of his cottage by mechanical means. Owen Evans, the hero of Mr. Mayhew's tale, is stimulated. to study the laws of na- tural philsophy in a similar way ; the reader following the discovery of the principles in the boy's mind, or their exposition as he gets the assist- ance of the clergyman of the parish and others. This mode of presenting natural laws has a dramatic interest ; and the expositions are clearly made, though longer than a mere didactic explanation would require. The inci- dents, characters, and descriptions of a story, are interwoven with the pro- gress in philosophy of Owen Evans, sometimes at too great length.

In a thoughtful and ingenious preface, Mr. Mayhew advances a theory of education perhaps more plausible than sound. He says we can attend to a subject passively or actively. The perusal of a story or a drama is an example of passive attention, the reader merely receives or is impressed ; the learn- ing of anything requires active attention. Perhaps the terms are not well chosen —it is not so much action as acquisition. In a work of amusement we attend ; in study the mind is active to acquire. As much active atten- tion may be employed upon a drama of Shakspere's by a. critical study as by a mathematician over a problem of Euclid. The difference with the ma- jority of readers between a play and a principle of philosophy is, that they feel a natural sympathy in the one and have not acquired a learned interest in the other. This, indeed, Mr. Mayhew intimates ; and he conceives that by combining the two principles he gets the advantages of both without the drawbacks of either: and to the extent of disguising the lesson he does so.]

Manual of the Mercantile Law of Great Britain and Ireland. With Remarks on Partnership, with Limited Liability. By Leoni Levi, Lec- turer on "Commercial Law of the World," &c., Honorary ember of the Liverpool and Leeds Chambers of Commerce, &c. [This volume is founded on the larger work of the author, which appeared periodically is parts. for some years past; and which was undoubtedly of great values not only for, its exposition of what was commercial law in various countries, but for the suggestions touching improvements that it con- tained. For practical use we prefer this abridgment. It is nester, clearer, and more direct in its account of what is law ; more useful, in short, for re- ference on a particular subject, or to possess a mercantile student with a general knowledge of commercial law. The legal subjects handled in the volume are patents, copyright, and restraintain time of war, contracts, partnerships, including oompanies, and bills of exchange. There is some introductory matter relating to the progress of commerce and commercial law, as well as to the character of the merchant. Desirable reforms are mentioned in foot- notes.] Travel Thoughts, and Travel Fancies. By Henry Strickland.

[Published at the request of friends, who have not exercised a sound dis- cretion. The form of the book is that of jottings in a journal during a Continental trip, chiefly in Belgium and Germany. The matter-of-fact ob- servations are commonplace enough ; but they are at least real. The re- marks and sketches aim at pungent vivacity and novelty; but they get no further than flippancy and affectation.] Village Development. Based on Practical Principles. Or the Old Vicar's Advice.

[Advice to a young clergyman as to the conduct of himself and the manage- ment of his parish, in the form of a letter from an Old Vicar. The earlier part is unexceptionable, but too general—too like a sermon. The par- ticular and longer directions which follow are of a. more useful and practical character. They may look homely and minute; but it is these- qualities which conduce to their utility.1 Holidays at Lynmere ; or Our Lord's Miracles Explained and Illus- trated. Edited by the Reverend C. F. Mackenzie, hI.A., Fellow of Gonville and Camas College, Cambridge. [The theology of this little book is chiefly derived from Trench On the Miracles; the more directly religious parbr, being relieved by discourse be- tween a motherand son at home for the holidays, and by boyish incidents. The subject is appropriately introduced by Edward Stanley having been set by his schoolmaster to make out a list of the miracles mentioned in the Gospels-; but perhaps the religion is on the whole too mature, if not scientific.] The Home Grammar. Illustrated with Engravings.

[The best test of the scientific merit of a grammar thrown into the dramatic form, is to mark with a pencil the definitions and rules. If they are, simple and complete, the book is sound in the essential part. The Home Grammar well bears bringing to this proof. The grammatical instruction is plain, accurate, and adapted to the capacity of young children. The framework— an aunt leaching- her little nephew, who wishes to learn—is well fitted to introduce the subject naturally ; and the execution is equal to the plan. The dialogue is not a mere catechism, but likely, discourse ; the answers to the doubts of the little pupil. serving the purpose of explanatory notes without their encumbering effect. Besides its direct purpose, the- Home Grammar will furnish hints for viva. voce teaching.]

True Stories for Children from Ancient History.

[Cyrus, Semiramis, Sardanapalus, the invasions of Greeoe by Darius and Xerxes, with the.career of Alexander the Great, are the subjects of these "True Stories." They are told plainly according to the received. facts, accompanied by judicious remarks, and illustrations from Scripture.] Flax, its Cultivation. and Preparation : with practical Suggestions for its Improvement and best modes of Conversion. By James Ward, Author of "The Weald: faits Workshops," 8ro: (Richardson's Rural Handbooks.)

On Light and Heat. For the use of Beginners. By T. Tate, F.R.A.S., late Mathematical Professor in the National Society's Training Col- lege, Battersea, &e. ; Author of " The Principles of Mechanical Phi- losophy applied to Industrial Mechanics," &c. (Gleig'aSchool Series.) On Magnetism, Voltaic Electricity, and Electro-Dynamics. For the

use of Beginners. By T. Tate, F.R.A.S., &c. School Series.) My Second School-Book to teach me Reading and Spelling. By Walter M'Leod, F.R.G.S., Head Master of the M.odel. School, and Master of Method, Royal Military Asylum, Chelsea. (Gleies School Series.) [The titles of these publications indicate their subjects. They are all "shil- ling " books.] Boudoir Alenanack, for 1855. [A compact sheet lithographed in colours, or, as many would be disposed to phrase it, illuminated. A Turkish war tone is given to it by a view of Con- stantinople and other such subjects, and by the record of leading incidents of the campaign in the almanack itself.]

The present volume of De Quincey's " Miscellanies" appears under cir- cumstances which demand sympathy : the author is suffering under " the distraction of a nervous misery," which, though it does not prevent the at- tempt at revision, is obviously not well fitted to insure success. The papers have interest in themselves. That on "Murder" revives the celebrated case of Williams, which two-and-forty years ago, in the very crisis of Napoleon's fate, horrified the whole nation, nay frighted the isle from its propriety. " War" treats the subject from a large point of view ; the author being op- posed to the Peace Society, though on other grounds than those generally put forward. The flight of the lialmucks from the Russian territories has a relation to passing events; the Templar's Dialogues (in opposition to Ricardo) conduce to variety ; and the Mail-coach, with its three topics, re- calls the past "glory of motion," as well as contains some things in the Opium-Eater's peculiar way.

The utility of the directions for choosing and cooking fish, with ite recom- mendations in favour of many cheap, but, sad to say it, local dishes, has carried the Practical Treatise to a second edition. " The Elements of Rhe- toric " is a pruned and improved reprint of papers which originally appeared in the Magazine of Self-Culture. The Banking Alraanack, though new in its matter, is in form an old friend, whom we may take the liberty to put here instead of in a place by itself.

Miscellanies. By Thomas De Quincey.

A Practical Treatise on the Choice and Cookery of Fish. By Plecator. Second edition.

The Elements of Rhetoric ; a Manual of the Laws of Taste, including the Theory and Practice of Composition. By Samuel Neil, Author of "The Art of Reasoning."

The Banking Almanaek, Directory, Year-Book, and Diary, for 1855. Edited by D. Morier Evans.

PRINTS.

French Troops making Fascines, Bomarsund. (Dolby's Sketches is the Baltic, Plate 14.)

The Town and Harbour of Balaklava, from the Camp of the- 93d High- landers.

Siege of Sevastopol, from the new 32-pounder battery above the left attack picket-house.

[We are beginning to forget about Bomarsund, but still can bear to be re- minded of a picturesque stage of the siege, such as that represented by Mr. Dolby. The Balaklava view, taken from the camp of the Ninety-third Highlanders by the ever-ready Lieutenant O'Reilly, presents an imposing eeene with castellated heights—the Agamemnon and the Retribution. riding secure in the close harbour. Captain Biddulph gives a clearly-defined M.. presentation of a point of still greater and more immediate interest. In a letter of the 23d October, forwarding the sketch, he describes it as showing the creek which divides the two principal portions of the town of Sebaatopol, and explains that the battery from which it was taken is manned by the Navy, and "intended to destroy the- ships, the bridge of boats,. and those store-houses, &c., in the valley." In addition to these further lithographs of their war series, Messrs. Col- naghi announce for the first week of December the opening part of designs from the seat of war in the East, taken on the spot by an artist specially de- spatehed for the purpose—Mr. W. Simpson.]

PAMPHLETS.

Peace or War. A Letter to the Right Honourable the Earl of Aberdeen, K.T., on the Prospects of Europe. Is the present War to be a mere Butchery, or is it to lead to a permanent Peace?

Sermon preached in the Cathedral of Bris- tol, on Sunday, 5th November 1850 By the Very Reverend Gilbert Elliot, D.D., Dean. The Educational Prospects of St. Thomas Charterhouse: a Letter addressed to the Right Honourable Lord John Rus- sell, M.P., Lord President of the Coun- cil, Governor of the Charterhouse, and one of H.M. Commissionera.for Inquir- ing into Charities, &o. By the Reverend William Rogers, MA., Incumbent of St Thomas Charterhouse.

The relative Importance of Suldects Taught in Elementary Schools. A Lecture ad- dressed to a Society of Schoolmasters, by Joshua.G. Fitch, M.A., Vice-Prin- cipal of the Normal College, Borough Road.

"Peace where there is no Peace"; or the Dies Non at Sydenham. With a Glance

at the Sunday Life of the Homeless in London.

The Climate of the Island of Madeira, and the Errors and Misrepresentations of some recent Authors on this sub- ject, considered in a Letter to George Lim'', M.D. By James Mackenzie Bloaam, Esq.

Suggestions jbr the Liquidation of the National .Debt, by means of Railway Property, and for the Increase at, the same time of Railway Dividends. By William Kingdom, Author of "Ame- rica and the British Colonies," Soc. Se- cond edition.

The Crystal Palace. An Essay,,Deserip- live and Critical. (Reprinted, by per- mission, from the "London Quarterly Review.") Plato as read in English by an English- man; being an Addressto some Friends.

The Mate and his Duties.

On the Nature of Gothic Architecture: and herein of the true functions of the Workman in Art By John Baskin.