room. scription on Nelson's Pillar, as they passed it on their return to the city. It has been mutilated in a barbarous manner, and--will it be believed?—the first sacrilegious band was that of a naval officer--but not of the R. N. Mentioning monuments leads me to remark, that every body is wondering when we are to have Watt's statue. I wish Chantry would not delay his works so long, especially as we are much in need of some ornamental structures at Glasgow, as was remarked the other day at a public meeting by a speaker, who said he was disinterested instead of uninterested. I suspect he but mistook a syllable; for, to a spectator, the struggle at present going on here between two parties, to take "the town" westward, or to bring it back to its old quarters, must appear marvellously like a contest-fair enough, perhaps --of nothing nobler than self-interest. The meeting alluded to was an imposing, but rather bungled affair-the resolutions being given to some of their movers apparently as lottery tickets are drawn--from a hat on entering the As an example of the magnifying influence of local associations, however, the copy of one of the speeches I send you is curious. I question whether the affair will result, however, in adding any thing so ornamental to Glasgow as the rocky height, known as the Merchant's Park, might become, if a suggestion, made by your servant a few years ago, to turn it into something similar to the cemetery of Père la Chaise, were followed out, as it is said is now intended. The talk about monuments has naturally led me to this grave subject. If the Glasgow authorities make the place what it is capable of being, you will say, surely the suggester will get six feet of space in it! But this is sad joking, and so I'll conclude in another vein. A certain would-be bibliopole, desirous of emulating the Constables, Boyds, and Colburns of this century, lately opened a couple of windows at Johnston, and exhibited the beautiful woodcuts on the title-page of the Shorter Catechism to the wondering amateurs of the fine arts there with so much success, as to induce him to become printer as well as publisher. Forthwith he set to throwing off an impression of a thousand copies-he was fond of round numbers-of a work" on Indwelling Sin." It threatened to be an indwelling sore in his shop; and he set off to Campbelton to sell a few in that pious place. A tobacco-seller and grocer gave him a cask of whisky for the lot--which, on his return, he disposed of to a popular publican; and now, when the wags of the place seek to wet their whistle, they gravely call for "a gill of indwelling sin!"—Adieu. ORIGINAL POETRY. WRITTEN AT MIDNIGHT. By Henry G. Bell. On! I have never done what I can do, With bitter self-abasement-scorn-hot tears;— Words are but words; and hundreds have aspired But less the slave of impulse,--these, and more- Far more than these the quenchless thirst to be One of the mighty-the undying few- Nerve me to bear the dull routine of life, Hear me, Eternal Spirit!—Strike me dead, THREE SONNETS. I. TO A POETESS. UNSTRING that lyre! no gentle hand like thine Oh! let its notes in all their passionate zeal Let it deep feelings tenderly reveal, Descend to touch it, and the charm is gone II. THE ENTHUSIAST. THROUGH Woodland paths at evening's crimson'd hour, III. THE LAST JUDGMENT. THE grave is terrible in its deep rest; We have to announce that Mr Buckingham has arrived in town, at the British Hotel, and that his Lectures on the state of the Eastern World will commence on Monday evening next, at the Hopetoun Rooms. The interest excited throughout the country by Mr Buckingham's Lectures on the state of India, especially, and the evils of the existing monopoly, warrants us in expressing our belief that they The Loseley Papers-a collection of original letters and other MS. documents, chiefly of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, preserved at the ancient seat of the More family at Loseley, in Surrey, edited with connective and incidental notes-are announced by that valuable contributor to our ancient lore, Mr A. J. Kempe. This work contains curious documents relative to the period of Henry VIII. Mrs Heber is occupied in arranging the Correspondence of the late Bishop of Calcutta, for publication, interspersed with Memoirs of his Life. The publication has been gravely announced at Paris of a Treatise raisonne on the education of the domestic cat, preceded by its philosophical and political history, and followed by the treatment of its disorders. The author's name is ominous-Monsieur Raton! ROYAL PHYSICAL SOCIETY, 7TH JULY, 1829.-Mr James Murray read an interesting paper on animal heat, of which we regret that our space prevents our giving any analysis. An Essay was next read by Mr Mackeon, on habit. Among other things, the author noticed many of those instances of the force of habit, which daily present themselves to the medical practitioner. He showed that the animal system would become habituated even to swallow as much poison as would kill from four to six persons unaccustomed to its use, especially of opium, tobacco, and ardent spirits. He mentioned a person who accustomed himself to take half a gallon of ardent will be found worthy the attention of the inhabitants of Edinburgh spirits daily; which in course of time brought on some dreadful dis generally. We understand that the Bannatyne Club have nearly ready for circulation a very interesting volume of autobiography, by Sir James Turner,-the prototype of Sir Walter Scott's Captain Dalgetty. The Memoirs extend from 1633 to 1670-comprising a full narration of the Insurrection in Scotland in 1666. We are glad to learn that the work will not be limited to members of the Club, as it is intended to print a few copies for sale. A new edition of White's Natural History of Selborne will form an early volume of Constable's Miscellany. Although the title of this work seems of a local nature, it is well known to be in reality an epitome of the Natural History of England, written in a pleasing and popular style. The Life, Times, and Writings of Daniel Defoe, by Walter Wilson, Esq., in three volumes octavo, is announced. Mr Alaric Watts is about to publish a second series of the Poetical Album, brought down to the present time. NEW ANNUALS.-The new Annual, called "The Offering," is to be edited by Thomas Dale. We understand that, under the auspices of Messrs Hurst & Co., a Comic Annual is to be published. edited by Thomas Hood. "The Landscape Annual" is also announced. The New Bath Guide, edited by the celebrated antiquarian Mr Britton, and embellished by George Cruickshank, is announced. The Fifth Part of Illustrations of Ornithology, by Sir William Jardine, Bart. and P. J. Selby, Esq. has just appeared; and we shall probably have something to say of this splendid work next Saturday. We are informed that Captain Brown has in the press a work to be entitled" Biographical Sketches and Authentic Anecdotes of Horses;" with an Historical Introduction, and an Appendix on the Diseases and Medical Treatment of the Horse. It is to be illustrated by figures of the different breeds, and portraits of celebrated or remarkable horses; these are to be engraved on steel by Mr Lizars, in his best style. This work is intended as a companion for the work on dogs, by the same author, recently published, which has deservedly met with so favourable a reception. We recommend to the attention of our readers an ingenious pamphlet, just published, entitled "Thoughts on the Liquidation of the Public Debt, and on the Relief of the Country from the Distress incident to a Population exceeding the Demand for Labour." NEW PERIODICAL.-We have received the first number of the Elgin Literary Magazine, which is a neat little work, prettily printed, and amusingly written. We daresay it will secure a respectable provincial circulation. Captain Mignar, of the East India Company's Service, announces "Travels in Babylonia, Chaldæa," &c. The work will be illustrated with numerous engravings, and is said to contain many new and curious details respecting the once renowned cities of Babylon and Ctesiphon, and to elucidate many extraordinary predictions of Holy W rit. eases, for which no remedy afforded relief but that which produced the disease. Amongst many other changes produced by habit on our system, he also alluded to the remarkable one connected with the use of hearing. It is well known, that people unaccustomed to the noise of a cotton or flax spinning mill, when they enter it, cannot hear words which are roared into their ears, whilst all the workers are conversing amidst the deafening noise, with as much ease as in the open air. It takes some weeks to become accustomed to such sounds. The word hiss can, with greater facility than any other, be heard in a room which is filled with any kind of machinery in motion. picce of vulgar fudge,) has made her first appearance this season at Theatrical Gossip.-Miss Kelley (not Miss F. H. Kelly, who is a the English Opera-house, in a new Drama, by Baynim, the novelist, called "The Sister of Charity." Both the actress and the thing noeuvring," by Planchè, is having a run at the Haymarket.-The acted have been received most favourably.-A farce called "Mataste for masquerades appears to be reviving in this country, judging from the eclat attending that given a few nights ago at Drury Lane, which was the second of the season.-It is said that Sontag is about to be lost to us for ever; and Madame Malibran has slightly hurt her elbow, which makes it extremely difficult for her to sing at present! -Matthews and Yates, the Castor and Pollux of the Drama, are about to visit Paris.-Miss Smithson is playing in a quiet way at Cheltenham. It is to be feared that this lady will sorely repent having risked in this country the extraordinary reputation she had gained abroad.-The Misses Tree (Ann and Ellen) are at Liverpool. -We understand that the Patent of the Theatre-Royal here has been renewed for twenty-one years. A correspondent says, that L.2000 of annual rent may be got for the Theatre here. If this be the case, it is evident, that under the present system something handsome may be made of it if spiritedly conducted. We sincerely hope that Mr Murray is not idle at present. What would he think of bringing Miss Graddon here, (if he can get her) with the view of her becoming a permanent member of the company, in the place of Miss Noel, should she be liked?-The Caledonian Theatre, under Mr Bass, seems to be thriving;-a recent importation which he has made of ballet dancers from London, has been a hit. Mesdames Vedy and Albert are really worth seeing. We warn Mr Bass, however, that if he intends remaining during winter, we do not propose patronising him unless the histrionic strength of his company be very greatly increased, and his selection of minor pieces more judicious.-Mackay is at present starring it in Glasgow, with Alexander, and seems to be enchanting the whole population of that city.-Ryder, we believe, has been performing in the good town of Kirkaldy, with a pretty decentish company. TO OUR CORRESPONDENTS. THE EDITOR IN HIS SLIPPERS, No. III., and Poetry by Charles Doyne Sillery, and others, in our next. We are obliged to postpone our second notice of Captain Hall's Tra The Poetical Works of the Rev. George Croly are about to be pub. vels in North America till next Saturday. lished in two volumes. Lieutenant Hardy, who has been sojourning for several years in Mexico, is engaged in writing an account of his travels, which will illustrate the state of society, and the manners and customs in that capital. We shall probably find a place for "The Laird's Bride."-" F. H." writes to inform us that he had committed an error in his card of the previous day, but his card of the previous day never reached us."The Song of the Spirit-From an Unpublished Tragedy," is rather mystical." Plagiarism" in our next CHIT-CHAT. [No. 35. July 11, 1829.] ADVERTISEMENTS, Connected with Literature, Science, and the Arts. PHRENOLOGY. This day are published, in 8vo, price 2s. OBSERVATIONS on the PHRENOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT of BURKE, HARE, and other atrocious MURDERERS; MEASUREMENTS of the HEADS of the most NOTORIOUS THIEVES confined in the Edinburgh Jail and Bridewell; and of various individuals, English, Scotch, and Irish; presenting an extensive series of facts subversive of Phrenology. Read before the Royal Medical Society of Edinburgh, by President of the Royal Medical Society. "Testor utrumque caput."-VIRG. Eneid, iv. "Assail our facts, and we are undone; Phrenology admits of no exceptions."-Phrenological Journal, vol. iii. p. 258. Edinburgh: Published by ROBERT BUCHANAN, 26, George Street; WILLIAM HUNTER, 23, Hanover Street; JOHN STEVENSON, 87, Prince's Street; T. & G. UNDERWOOD, London; ROBERTSON & ATKINSON, Glasgow; ALEX. BROWN & Co. Aberdeen; and J. CUMMING, Dublin. "Wi hout entering into the controversy, we will venture to say, that Mr Stone has evinced great research, and literary talent of a very high order, in the composition of this work."-Medico-Chirurgical Review for July. Mr Combe, in referring to this review, observes, "The first Medical Journal of Britain, and I may say of Europe," "viz.; The Medico-Chirurgical Review, has long supported Phrenology."-Letter to the Editor of the Weekly Journal. "There are so many curious considerations scattered throughout the whole of Mr Stone's treatise, and the argumentative portion presents such a series of closely knit facts, and palpable deductions, that it seems destined to overturn a theory which has gained ground by the help of the imagination, and the superstitions of the weak, rather than the knowledge or judgment of the learned. We refer our readers to Mr Stone's pamphlet for the fullest details connected with Phrenology. * * better of Mr Stone's arguments, or rather, of his facts. A Rejoinder from Mr Stone is to be published, we believe, this day; and it will not be difficult for him to put Mr Combe in even a more awkward light than before,"―The Edinburgh Literary Journal, May 30. Having adverted to Mr Combe's objections to the methods adopted by Mr Stone in his measurements and observations, we come to the conclusions,-that Mr Stone's methods were calculated to accomplish the ends he had in view;-that he was able, by means of them, to compare the relative sizes of certain organs in the heads of different individuals; and that, as no charge is made against him of wilfully mistating the results of his measurements, and comparisons we are called upon to give them the same credit as is given to statements of fact made by respectable individuals upon the evidence of their own observations."-The Edinburgh Weekly Journal, June 17. "Mr Combe devotes nearly half his pamphlet to the conductors of the periodical press, whom, with one or two exceptions, he reviles as the entertainers of a childish prejudice against phrenology, and as inordinately apprehensive that its ultimate triumph will imply a censure on their own conduct towards its founders. In this list we are included, simply because we described Mr Stone as an active and formidable anti-phrenologist. Even at the risk of being considered by Mr Combe as the abettors of Philosophical blunders and literary delinquencies,' we adhere to these opinions."-Edinburgh Observer, June 12. "Mr Combe unadvisedly replied to the little work of Mr Stone, which we lately noticed, in a sixpenny work of premature triumph and chuckling; but a Rejoinder' has appeared, which is about one of the cleverest pieces of hitting, in a small space, that we have seen for some time."-The Scots Times for June 6. "We observe that the sensation excited by Mr Stone's recent at. tack on Phrenology has not yet subsided, and that the attempts made to rally by the Phienologists have called forth a good deal of discussion in the public Journals. We revert to the subject simply to state, that after all that has been said, both pro and con, we remain fixed in our opinion, that Mr Combe has been decidedly unsuccessful in his Answer to Mr Stone.'"-The Edinburgh Literary Journal, June 20. UNDER THE SUPERINTENDENCE OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE DIFFUSION OF USEFUL KNOWLEDGE. Just published, price 2s. We promise them their time will be pro- THE MENAGERIES, Part II., being the Third fitably spent in its perusal."-The Atlas, June 7. "Whether the Phrenologists will admit that their favourite science is knocked on the head by this author, we do not know; but if their theories have attained to the rank of a Science, Mr Stone has treated it in a proper way by a formal induction of facts which he has Part of the LIBRARY of ENTERTAINING KNOWLEDGE. Edinburgh: OLIVER and BOYD, Tweeddale Court. Vol. 1st, Part 1st, THE MENAGERIES; and Vol. 2d, Part 1st, ON TIMBER TREES. Published this day, In royal 18mo, illustrated bv 3 Maps, 4s. half-bound, The 3d Edition, revised and enlarged, of brought to bear upon the phrenological doctrines."-The New Scots THE NEW FRENCH MANUAL, and TRA Magazine for April. Mr Stone's present enquiries have had particular reference to the phrenological development of murderers, among the elite of whom Burke and Hare will long hold a fearful pre-eminence. His observations, while they are in some respects of a stern controversial character, contain information on scientific points, and philosophical investigations, which cannot fail to afford ample data for other inductions. We are here presented with measurements of nearly one hundred crania, and of the heads of eighty living individuals, besides of twenty-two thieves. Dr Barclay, Dr Roget, Dr Gordon, Dr Milligan, Sir William Hamilton, and Mr Jeffrey, have successively entered the arena of phrenological controversy; but we suspect that this little work of Mr Stone's will do more to overthrow the ingenious theory, than any attack it has yet received. It is a rigid and decisive appeal to facts, to common sense, and to reason."-The Edinburgh Evening Post, and Scottish Literary Gazette for May 9. "The pamphlet before us not only warrants our continuing to withhold our belief in the propositions on which Phrenology depends, but to conclude that these propositions are positively false. Mr Stone gives the results of a variety of investigations, which have every appearance of being conducted with accuracy, and of being related with good faith. They are the observations of a gentleman possessed of professional knowledge and skill, and their accuracy is vouched by the testimony of other individuals who witnessed them." -The Edinburgh Weekly Journal, May 20th. "We cannot at this moment number the attempts Mr Stone has made to rout his opponents, but it is known to all who take an interest in the warfare that he has repeatedly returned to the charge, and that each successive charge has been more successful than its predecessor. This last one, we regard as the most brilliant of all; and if the Phrenological champions do not make a good rally, and speedily regain the positions from which he has dislodged them, we suspect they will be regarded as having tacitly agreed to an unconditional surrender. Candour and fairness characterize his whole argument, and we shall open the next number of the Phrenological Journal with some excitement, knowing that so formidable an adversary must be answered."-Edinburgh Observer, May 1st. "A very clever, and we are glad to say, well-tempered attack on Phrenology. We have not hesitated to rank ourselves among the supporters of that which he condemns-but we like the better a clever adversary who will grapple fairly with the subject."-Glasgow Free Press, May 9. Also, by the same Author, A REJOINDER to the ANSWER of GEORGE COMBE, Esq. "Mr Combe has published a small pamphlet in reply to Mr Stone's recent attack on Phrenology, which our readers will recollect we noticed at some length. Mr Combe has failed in his attempt to get the VELLER'S COMPANION: Containing an Introduction to French Pronunciation;-a copious Vocabulary ;-a Selection of Phrases;-a Series of Conversations, on a Tour to Paris by four different Routes, through France, through Holland, through Germany, and through Switzerland-with a Description of the Public Buildings, Institutions, Curiosities, Manners, and Amusements of the French Capital, &c.-also Models of Epistolary Correspondence, and Directions to Travellers. To which are added, the Statistics of Paris, and Tables of French and British Monies, Weights and MeaBy GABRIEL SURENNE, F.A.S.E., &c. &c. Published by OLIVER and BOYD, Edinburgh; and SIMPKIN and MARSHALL, London. Also lately published, sures. SURENNE'S NEW PRONOUNCING FRENCH PRIMER: or First Step to the French Language; 3d Edition, enlarged; royal 18mo, 1s. Cd. sewed. BUQUET'S NOUVEAU COURS de LITTERATURE; 2d Edition, enlarged; 12mo, 7s. bound. CORNILLON'S PETIT DICTIONNAIRE des DIFFICULTES de la LANGUE FRANCAISE; 2d Edition; 18mo, 3s. 6d. half-bound. ROSS-SHIRE. To be Let, Unfurnished, for one or more years, SHANDWICK HOUSE, GARDEN, and Ten Acres of LAND, with right to Preserve Game and Shoot over the Estate. Apply to CHARLES C. Ross, Esq. 100, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh; or to WILLIAM MURRAY, Esq. jun. Tain, N.B.-who will give any information required. SODA WATER. SODA WATER, of superior quality, is Manufactured by means of Apparatus of an improved construction, by BUTLER & Co. Chemists to his Majesty for Scotland, No. 75, Princes Street, (opposite the Earthen Mound,) Edinburgh; who will forward it, in quantities of a dozen bottles, or more, to any part of the Kingdom, upon receiving an order for the payment in Edinburgh. Hotel Keepers, Druggists, Confectioners, and others, supplied upon wholesale terms. Empty Bottles and Packages will be allowed for at the Prices charged, when received back, free of expense. Manufactory, 23, Waterloo Place. This day is published, Beautifully printed by Ballantyne, price 74, 6d. extra boards, TWELVE DRAMATIC SKETCHES, FOUNDED ON THE PASTORAL POETRY OF SCOTLAND. "Methinks it were a happy life To be no better than a homely swain!" SHAKSPEARE. Edinburgh: CONSTABLE & Co. 19, Waterloo Place; and HURST, "An unobtrusive pensiveness, an ardent patriotism, and a sincere attachment to all the works of nature, characterise these Sketches,' in which there is not a thought that could offend the most fastidious. They are full of gentle feelings, lively pastoral descriptions, and agreeable and animated pictures of Scottish character."-Edinburgh Literary Journal. "The characteristic tone of the whole volume is gentle beauty. It has not been the author's ambition to develope the wilder passions of the human heart, but to produce a few faithful pictures of the homely virtues and common vicissitudes of pastoral life. He has studied his subject deeply, and these Sketches have not been submitted to public scrutiny without much forethought, and numerous retouches. They have been polished with great care, and we apprehend that this very polish will render them more popular in the drawing-room, than at the farmer's ingle. On the whole, we regard them as very creditable efforts in the department of literature to which they appertain, and lay aside the volume with a conscientious persuasion, that they are the emanations of a mind of whose compass they furnish but a very inadequate indication.”—Edinburgh Observer. "There is a flow of rich and varied imagery; there is a deep sense of the gentler and more amiable feelings of our nature; there is, above all, a tone of unpretending morality, and of quiet piety, in the whole work, that steals noiselessly into the heart."-Caledonian Mercury. "His poetry displays right feeling, correct principle, and pure and undefiled religion."-Edinburgh Evening Post. "It is a mirror of much of what is most beautiful in primitive Scottish character; and while it thus brings back upon the heart, in all their original freshness and power, many of those scenes and en joyments which constituted the witchery and romance of early years, it gratifies also refined literary taste, by the polished purity of its language, and the chasteness of its sentiments and imagery. They contain many fine touches of real nature, many happy thoughts and beautiful images, and many lively and striking pictures of that happy, that virtuous and lofty-minded class, that once formed the strength and pride of Scotland."-Glasgow Free Press. the Discoveries of recent Travellers. By the Rev. ALEXANDER KEITH, "Its conception is exceedingly happy, and, in one sense, new. His genius is essentially lyrical; and the proof of this is as much in his selecting songs for his subject, as in his having composed so many excellent ones himself. His songs are all good, and only want a little THE WESTMINSTER REVIEW, No. XXI. careful, but scarcely perceptible, finish, to be as excellent as they are pumerous. We prophesy that many of them will find their way into collections of our national melodies."-Glasgow Scots Times. is this day published. "We have no hesitation in warmly recommending the volume to our readers, as containing a great deal of sweet and beautiful poetry, and the germ of something greater, which, we trust, we shall see soon from the author. A work which will equally furnish pleasure in the drawing-room of the rich, and the cottage of the peasant."-Dum--Vidocq's Memoirs-New Translation of Herodotus-Southey's Sir frics Courier. "His imagery is delightfully varied and striking, and one feeling of serene piety and genuine morality pervades every page."-Dumfries Journal. "It possesses the sterling merits of the peasantry, whose character the Sketches are intended to illustrate, without their rough and unpromising exterior."-Perth Courier. "It is full of genuine nationality, unaffected simplicity, and good poetry."-Dundee Courier. Corn Laws-Living Poets of Hungary-Life and Writings of Paul Louis Courier-Last of the Plantagenets-Cobbett's Corn-Discoveries in Africa-The Village Patriarch-Physiology of Trees and Ornamental Planting-Modern Italy-Civil Government of Canada Thomas More-Anne of Geierstein-Quipos, or Peruvian Knot Records-Greatest Happiness Principle Developed. WILLIAM TAIT, 78, Prince's Street, Agent for Scotland; sold also by ROBERTSON & ATKINSON, Glasgow; BROWN & Co., Aberdeen, and all Booksellers. No. XXII. will be published on 1st October. "The pictures of rustic manners are given with a delicacy, and in attempting to be faithful, would have certainly fallen into vulgar- "There is much of the genuine spirit of poesy in the volume, and much that is excellent in description, taste, and dialogue."-Inverness Courier. "The choice of a subject seems to us very happy and judicious, as one which both well deserves and affords ample materials for a poetical record. This record, we think, Mr Hetherington has given in a highly poetical spirit, with much fine fancy, elegant taste, and moral sentiment. In almost all the characteristic excellencies of that more tranquil style to which these Sketches belong-that of pastoral poetry -they are more than ordinarily eminent. These Sketches, in many parts, very happily exemplify all that strong good sense, profound, though regulated feeling, and sly archness of humour, which used to be such characteristic traits of the Scottish peasantry. We cannot conclude without taking notice of the singular merit of the songs scattered through the volume, all of which display powers of sentiment, fancy, and versification, certainly not inferior to those exhibited by any living author who has attempted this most difficult and delightful species of poetry."-Edinburgh Weekly Journal. This day is published, BY THOMAS CLARK, 38, George Street, FOREIGN REVIEW. No. VII. CONTENTS. ART. I. The Eloquence of the French Bar.-II. History of Lithography.-III. Damiron, Philosophy in France.-IV. Jovellanos, Life and Writings.-V. Novalis.-VI. Romances of Sir Tristram.-VII. Vitalis, Swedish Poetry.-VIII. Niebuhr's Historical and Philological Tracts.-IX. Guipúscoan Ballads.-X. Pecchio, Political Economists of Italy.-XI. to XVII. Short Reviews of the newest Classical, Danish, French, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish Publica tions.-XVIII. Continental Literary Intelligence.-XIX. Select Foreign Publications during the last three months. London: BLACK, YOUNG, and YOUNG, 2, Tavistock Street; BosSANGE, BARTHES, and LOWELL, Great Marlborough Street; THOMAS CLARK, Edinburgh; and HODGES and SMITH, Dublin. No. VIII. will be published in September. Edinburgh: Published for the Proprietors, every Saturday Morning, Price 6d. or Stamped, and sent free by post, 10d. Printed by BALLANTYNE & Co. Paul's Work, Canongate. LITERARY CRITICISM. FASHIONABLE NOVELS. ALMACK'S HYDE NUGENT—A MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE— THE GUARDS, &c. &c. London. Ir is only by reference to the passion for scandal, so prevalent in England, that we can solve that enigma,the extraordinary avidity with which the vapid and contemptible trash, composing what are called, "Fashionable Novels," is devoured by the inhabitants of the first city in the world. Let the ingredients of which these ephemera are concocted be analysed,-let it be discovered that they consist, for the most part, of scandalous stories, gleaned from the refuse of newspapers and the servants' hall; bad and stale jokes palmed upon well-known persons; a perpetual affectation of finery, after the manner of Lady Bab and Mistress Kitty, in "High Life Below Stairs;" mere technical acquaintance with the arts of the cook and the milliner; a correct list of the wines most in request at fashionable tables, which the author may obtain from Mr Charles Wright's advertisement, or by virtue of his office in his master's house; slang, double entendre, and flat impertinence; not even an attempt at a story, unless it be in the worst style of the worst A. K. Newman Novel, set in a patchwork of bad French, and worse English ;—yet, let it be whispered, that the nonsense 66 means something," a fact the public would never have discovered by its own natural lights,-that the characters, (God save the mark!) are drawn from life, by one whose "long familiarity with fashionable life has given him, or her, ample opportunities of observing and describing the faults and follies of the age," and immediately the many mouths of the "many-headed beast, the town," are opened wide to receive the precious farrago. The gaping appetite for slander allows of no discrimination, pauses for no enquiry, admits no doubt; the crumbs that fall from the supposed rich man's table are swallowed at the risk of choking; the offal is devoured with as much greediness as if it were turtle and venison; their faith covers a multitude of sins, and makes them blind, deaf, and stupid, into the bargain, or the public would have discovered long ago, that the dainty fare they admire so much, is nothing but a warming up of the olla podrida of the Leadenhall press. These literary scavengers, it is true, are not creatures of yesterday. They informed us all long ago, upon their honours, that, in the upper classes of society, all the men were cheats, gamblers, horse-jockeys, libertines, and fools; and that the women were cold, selfish, unfeeling, and profligate, with here and there an exception, to make a hero or heroine. But this was before lords or ladies took to "showing up" their acquaintance to put money into their pockets, and thereby opened the way for discarded butlers and literary valets, to deck themselves in borrowed plumage, and nickname God's creatures, The town was deluged, ad nauseam, with similar trash, long before "The Guards," and "Almack's," and "High Life," saw the light; but that trash did not greet an ad PRICE 6d. miring world from the courtly precincts of St James's; it was not ushered forth by fashionable publishers, nor heralded by the praises of reviews and the puffs of newspapers,―oblique, collateral, and direct; so that the nonsense, depending only on its own demerits, quickly sank into oblivion, or rather never emerged from it. It was reserved for these enlightened days to doat on drivelling folly and sickening affectation, and admire works in the inverse ratio of their merits. The principal difference between the defunct and their successors lies in the prodigious importance given to eating and drinking in the latter, the eternal gabble about iced champagne, vol au vent, omellette au jambon, mareschino, rognons au vin de champagne, lest the fine people should be suspected of dining on plain beef or mutton. To avoid a similar suspicion, Lady Wilhelmina Wilson, in the farce of "Gretna Green," assures her lover that she never drinks any tea but "twelve-shilling green." As to the copious interlarding of French in their pages, it reminds us of Mr Matthews in one of his personifications, who, when applied to for a song, replies that he does not know a whole one, but, if he may sing a “bit of one song, and a bit of another, four lines will make up a verse." For a like reason, he who does not know one language, may be permitted to jumble two in constructing his sentences; with the understanding, however, that when an author props up his foundered English with borrowed French, the French shall be correct. There is a little book on French gen ders, lately published, which we seriously recommend to the perusal of those gentlemen who are too fine to write English; it will only cost them threepence, and save them from the dilemma into which the author of “ Almack's" has repeatedly fallen. This worthy seems to labour under an unhappy degree of doubt respecting the gender of mer, and, in order to avoid unjust preference, has accommodated the word with masculine pronouns, and a feminine adjective. "Ce malheureuse mer, comme nous le detestons," is the choice manner in which a Parisian Countess expresses herself in a letter to a friend! If, as the newspapers threaten, there is to be another edition of this book, and so renowned a genius as the author be not above taking friendly advice, it may be as well to hint that a wide difference exists between the language of the good society he is so fond of, and that of the second table, though both may speak French. "Tirer à quatre epingles," is not more elegant French, than "vulgar kitchen hops," and "all humbug," is select English, especially in the mouth of a young lady. Another of these choice productions ("Hyde Nugent") introduces a gentleman, "divinement beau," who sits down to chatter stuff to la belle, whilst a friend, who "keeps up the talk," "does sailor," and plays "Tom fool." Where this author gathered his notions of polite society, it is hard to guess. From the coarse familiarity of manner, twaddling sentiment, and extreme absurdity of this novel, to say nothing of the prodigious knowledge exhibited of flowers, satins, feathers, gazes, and other female gear, we should conjecture it was written by a manmilliner. It would be utterly impossible to give individual men |