thor too, very curiously, maintains a profound silence. Then there is the like strict oblivion as to the laws which relate to Saving Banks-to Friendly Societies-and-the most remarkable suppression of all the law of Patents. Not one word of the law of Patents in a Tradesman's Law Library! We could swell our list so as literally to astonish our readers. But It is only that we are compelled to overhaul Mr. Thompson we have charges advantage, may we ask, is there in devoting an immense portion of this volume to the exposition of the law of bankruptcy, since all the knowledge in the world that a man may have of this law will certainly have little weight in preventing him from becoming a bankrupt? He who falls into that pitiable character, cannot help himself-he is not the victim of ignorance-nor is he ensnared by his love of litigation, and consequently, cannot alter his fate, however conversant with the law. Let us suppose that he becomes a bankrupt-does he not instantly resign all control of his affairs? Is he not given up body and soul to attornies? Must he not sins of om commission also to arraign him for. What submit in spite of him to have his transactions administered according to the law of other men? The answer to this of necessity supplies a reason of irresistible force, why the law of bankruptcy should have been considerably abridged, if it were only to make room for matter much more appropriate. We are sorry to be compelled to find fault with the production of one who we think possesses the very best qualifications for succeeding in the enterprise in which he has embarked, and whilst we say that the realization of the project which is here pointed out is still a desideratum, we, at the same time, readily acknowledge, that no man is better able to supply it than Mr. Tompson. ART. XIX.— The Ecclesiastical Polity, and other Works of Richard Hooker; with his Life, by Isaac Walton, and Strype's Interpolations, To which are now first added the “Christian Letter" to Mr. Hooker, and Dr. Covell's just and temperate Defence in reply to it, accompanied by an Introduction, a Life of Thomas Cartwright, B.D., and numerous notes. By Benjamin Hanbury. Three vols., large 8vo. London: Holdsworth and Ball. 1830. THE works of Hooker were re-issued some time since from the Clarendon Press at Oxford, and with many others, for whose judgment we entertain great respect, we thought the edition did not abound in those tokens of editorial care and attention, which the text of this great champion of the church deserved, and to a certain extent, indeed, indispensibly required. The process of collation seemed to have troubled the delegates of the press but very little, although few of the great writers of his age has suffered more than Hooker from the negligence of printers; and what was of still more consequence, no attempt was made by note or comment to supply explanations, or place in its true light an ambiguous passage, in a work written at a period so distant and so differently circumstanced from our own. What is the consequence! Why that Hooker has been picked up by the enemy, and that under the plausible announcement of his text being faithfully restored, and his writings completed, and with the further recommendation of these writings being variously illustrated, Hooker is sent forth to the world under the auspices of a fierce non-conformist, shorn of his strength, his arguments crippled and girded down by the antagonist force of a bold and impressive commentator. The Ecclesiastical Polity, the standard defence of the English Estab lishment, has thus become a practical suicide, an annihilation of itself. The spirit in which Mr. Hanbury has proceeded in his work, will be seen in the following short extracts. "The "fearful" Church of England is immeasurably behind the state, in adapting herself to the progress of knowledge and liberality.'-Introduction, p. xix. 'The power claimed by the Church of England is a most important and dangerous power, not fit to be trusted, and therefore never was trusted, with any fallible uninspired men: such a rude invasion of Christ's Church every sober Christian ought to resist.'-Ib. p. xxxii. In truth the present edition is nothing more than a controversial answer to Hooker's chosen arguments; and urged, as they are, with learning, ability, and a tone of authority that is likely to overawe inexperience, and obtain the confidence of the timid, we have no hesitation in saying that the friends of the Church at Oxford have good reason to lament the imperfection of their skill in tactics. ART. XX.-Rouge et Noir, and Versailles. Poems by Wm. Read, Esq. One vol. 12mo. Third Edition. London: Longman and Co. 1830. WE are glad to have a proof of the extensive circulation of this work, because we take a great interest in the diffusion of every legitimate means of stemming the progress of a gigantic vice. Such an abomination as gambling forms the natural quarry which satire should pursue, and we have every reason to expect that the terse and forcible numbers, in which Mr. Read has denounced or ridiculed this vice, will obtain admission for its salutary warnings and counsels, in quarters which are not easily approached by more formal monitors. ART. XXI.-The Veracity of the Five Books of Moses, argued from the undesigned Coincidences to be found in them, when compared in their several parts. By the Rev. J. J. Blunt. 8vo. London: J. Murray. 1830. THERE is no task which requires the exercise of more delicate skill than that of deducing the truth of any part of the Sacred Scriptures, from evidence unconnected with its Divine authority. We firmly believe that the hands of infidelity have been greatly strengthened by the injudicious speculations in this way of several well meaning divines. We never open a book which professes to have an object of this nature in view without fear and trembling, lest, through the inadequacy of the advocate, the great cause of Revelation may be compromised. It is, perhaps, sufficient praise of Mr. Blunt's labours, that he has given no room for such apprehensions-and we think his clever and very ingenious web of argument will be read with pleasure, as it certainly must be with profit. ART. XXII.-1. A System of Geography for the Use of Schools and Private Students, on a new and easy plan, from the latest and best authorities, including also the Elements of Astronomy, an account of the Solar System, and a variety of Problems to be solved by the Terrestrial and Celestial Globes. By Thomas Ewing. Twelfth edition, with maps, 6s. 6d. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd. 1829. 2. A Compendium of Modern Geography, with remarks on the physical peculiarities, productions, commerce, and government of the various countries; questions for examination at the end of each division; and Descriptive Tables, in which are given the pronunciation, and a concise account of every place of importance throughout the Globe. Illustrated by ten maps. By the Rev. A. Stewart. Second edition, 3s. 6d. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd. 1830. WHAT amazing strides towards perfection have been of late years made in the books which are employed for the instruction of youth! In our early days we remember the literary jackalls for the schools used to write and prepare works in such a way, as if they took it for granted that the child to be taught was a profound savant, and that he knew every thing that could be learned upon any given subject. At last men of reflection and experience of the world applied themselves to the important duty of totally altering the plan of book instruction, and to such a pitch have their successive improvements been carried, that at the present moment this department of our literature is scarcely susceptible of a further advance in excellency. What admirable elementary books are the two which stand at the head of this article; how elaborate and yet how simple; how precisely exact, and still how abounding-how superfluously crowded we had almost said with details interesting as they are important. We will not venture to enter into any comparison between the two, but we cannot avoid saying that they are highly creditable to Scottish talent and acuteness, and are superior to anything of the sort in England. ART. XXIII.-A Statement of the Principles and Objects of a proposed National Society, for the Cure and Prevention of Pauperism, by means of Systematic Colonization. London: James Ridgway. 1830. It is not perhaps generally known that a Provisional Committee is now in existence, and is actively engaged in laying the foundation of a National Society to promote the colonization of the poor of this country on a plan that professes to be superior to any others now in operation. The present pamphlet may be regarded as the manifesto of this Committee. It sets out with stating that if the whole uninhabited territory which England has at her disposal, were in such a position as to be easily accessible to her inhabitants, then her population might exert its utmost capacity of increase without a check. But as the waste lands, over which that excess of population which exists at home might spread itself, are at an inconvenient distance, the disposition to emigrate is very considerably depressed. It being assumed, then, that the cost of passage alone prevents numbers of the poorest classes from emigrating from this country, a question arises," may passage, cost free, be provided for such a number of paupers as would, during many years at least, relieve this country of its excess of population.' The author of the pamphlet argues that such a project is possible, and he proceeds with great ability and abundance of curious and important information, to expound the details of a plan by which a useful system of emigration might be put in activity, which system could be ultimately made to pay for itself. To the execution of this plan we confess we see obstacles that are perfectly insurmountable; and we are sure that those who are at all acquainted with public affairs, and know how intractable they are to anything like complicated machinery, will take a similar view of this proposal. But the pamphlet is very well worthy the serious attention of those who are anxious on the great problems of population and emigration. ART. XXIV. Popular Lectures on the Study of Natural History and the Sciences, Vegetable Physiology, Zoology, Animal and Vegetable Poisons, &c., as delivered before the Isle of Wight Philosophical Society. By Wm. Lempriere, M.D. One vol. 8vo. Second Edition. London: Whittaker and Co. 1830. THOSE who stand in need of a sound, lucid, and ample digest of the principal facts hitherto established in the various branches of Natural Science, cannot do better than become conversant with this volume. They will find it very curious in its information, very striking and satisfactory in its reflections, and a constant reference to the origin of that wonderful system of contrivance, which is so visible in every part of nature, and which is so well calculated to imbue the feelings that best become a rational being in this world. on the ART. XXV.-Letters to the Right Honourable the Lord K- THIS little pamphlet raises a very curious and important question, which we dare say, sooner or later, will call for the consideration of the legislature. The author contends, that a peer of Scotland, if challenged as to his right to assume a title, need not, as peers so situated do, appeal to the House of Lords to establish his title, he need only apply to the Court of Session in Scotland, or to the next meeting of peers assembled to elect a representative peer of that country. However, certain resolutions of the Lords, in 1822, seem to be totally at variance with such an independent right; and the gist of this small work seems to be to remind all those concerned, that the ancient law of Scotland, which existed before the Union, and which was confirmed by that measure, cannot be overturned by the resolutions of one branch merely of the legislature, but that, in order to have authority, a regulation such as the Lords' resolutions embody, must have the sanction of the Commons and the King beside. There are numerous questions resembling those which Mr. Lockhart has now thrown into the arena of discussion, connected both with Scotland and Ireland, that must remain in abeyance. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE, Connected with Literature, Science, and the Fine Arts. We have received a second edition of Sir Henry Parnell's able and valuable work upon financial reform; in which some errors that crept into the first impression, in consequence of the Hon. Baronet's absence from town while it was in the press, are corrected. In its present form, it is decidedly the most useful, as well as the most intelligible guide to the financial state and prospects of this country that we know of. Pressure of matter of a more temporary nature, has hitherto prevented us from noticing the new and very beautiful edition of the Waverley novels, now in progress. It has already reached as far as the Heart of Mid-Lothian, and for type and illustrations, stands unrivalled. We may take an early opportunity of examining the interesting additions to each work which Sir Walter has made, and in the mean time, we recommend the subscribers to secure for their copies, the exquisite landscape illustrations which are also in course of publication by C. Tilt. There is scarcely a striking scene in Scotland or England, or elsewhere, alluded to by the author, which is not to be exhibited to the eye in these engravings, and, if we may judge from the first number, they will be in every way worthy of the improved state of art, as well as of the popular compositions which they are destined to adorn. Mr. Leigh, of the Strand, has long been celebrated for the facilities in the way of information, which he has accumulated for foreign travellers who come to England, and for Englishmen who roam abroad. His Panorama of the banks of the Thames, from London to Richmond, is a curious and most amusing performance. We are afraid to say how many yards it is in length: it must, we think, exceed thirty. Every seat, every building, nay, we should think every tree that stands on, or near the verge of the river, is here individually reflected. To a stranger in London, it must be a most agreeable present. The Panorama of the Maine is also very well done. It is of course not so large as that of the Thames; but no traveller who knows of the existence of such a chart, will go up or down the Maine without it. A singular case of small pox recently occurred, and is now puzzling about three fourths of the faculty. A prisoner in the penitentiary at Millbank was seized with the disorder, but no clue has been discovered as to the quarter from which he contracted it. Indeed so strong is the evidence against its having been communicated at all, that some notions begin to arise, as to the possibility of spontaneous small pox. We have received a communication on the subject of the Cow Pock, which, if we inserted it, would carry this journal much farther than would be desirable into the proper territory of the medical press. But as the letter contains some facts of importance, we have deemed it expedient to transmit it to the editor of The Medical and Surgical Journal, which we believe, ranks amongst the highest of the periodicals connected with medicine in our day. A very sensible letter has also reached us, signed A. C. C. complaining of the too general practice amongst our modern literati, of inserting in their writings, passages or words in tongues not universally understood, and without translations, We certainly have always endeavoured to obviate such an objection, and we shall continue to do so to the best of our power. |