The Lite of Man Symbolized by the Months of the
Year in a Series of Illustrations. By John Leighton, F.S.A. With Passages selected from Ancient and Modern Writers by Richard Pigot. (Longmans.)— It is almost impossible to convey an idea of the amount of decoration that has been lavished upon this volume. In addition to a large illus- tration at the beginning of each month there is an endless number of small devices and designs, and every variety of fancy printing and marginal ornamentation. The first aspect of the volume is dazzling, but we do not profess to discover a meaning in all the symbolism, nor are we much struck by some of the larger illustrations. Each month is supposed to correspond to a stage in the life of man, and has allotted to it appropriate moral reflections gathered from all sources. Thus we have Lord Melbourne between Aristotle and Cato, and Bellew following close upon Johnson. But the book is meant to be looked at, not read, and certainly a handsomer specimen of typography and xylography was never seen.
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