Assault on Oporto.-The mob considered their intrenchments impregnable: their lines were armed with 200 pieces of cannon, and they manned the works with all the alacrity of a vain and secure confidence. The French stormed these formidable lines, and carried the intrenchments, all the redoubts and guns, at the point of the bayonet. Two battalions broke through the barriers of the city, poured into

trifling incidents the most momentous issues occasionally depend.

The early part of this volume refers almost exclusively to the national, cabinet, and domestic events which relate to the

before them a terrified and helpless crowd of men, women, and children. These unhappy fugitives rushed wildly on the bridge. The nearest boats gave way to the pressure, and sunk with their wretched burden. The cries of these wretched creatures were stifled by the waters; and the spectacle was so fear

ful, that the Frenchmen in pursuit paused in the

work of death, and exerted themselves to save as many as they could. In other parts of the city the carnage was terrible. Two hundred Portuguese took post in the palace of the bishop, and made an effort

sion to the throne, and to the period in which George IV. was born. In glancing over these, American taxation, war, Wilkes, ferment, and commotion, rise and flit along before us like the shadows of departed days; but these occurrences, though partially irre

after resistance ceased, the shrieks of women, and the cries with which the murdered die, might be heard in every street. It is computed, that in the battle, and in the city, not fewer than 10,000 of the Portuguese were slain."-p. 172.

"Siege of Zaragoza.—The streets were barricadoed and retrenched; every strong building was fortified; the doors and windows of private houses were built up, and the whole front of them pierced with loopholes. The people gave themselves and all they possessed to the war. The population was one vast garrison, and the city was all fortress.' Even the women were regularly enrolled in companies, to serve the sick, and to aid the combatants. The countess Burita, a lady most feminine in person, and most heroic in heart, commanded these devoted females.

"The inhabitants themselves, all combatants, were supported by a garrison of 30,000 troops. With only 35,000 men the French advanced to the siege of Zaragoza, while certainly not fewer than 50,000 lay

within its walls; but it must be remembered, that these 35,000 were the conquerors of all the warlike troops in Germany, and the north of Europe, of whose discipline and prowess the page of modern history is full.

"Long after the walls of Zaragoza fell, the city itself resisted. The stern contest was continued from street to street, and from house to house. In vault and cellar, on balcony and in chamber, the deadly warfare was waged without any intermission.-By the slow and sure process of the mine the assailants worked their terrific path, and daily explosions told loudly of their onward way. Meantime the bombardment was fierce and constant, and the fighting inces

sant. Every house was a post; the crash of falling buildings was continual. Three thousand pounds of powder were placed beneath the University, and with a dire explosion the once peaceful building fell. While the struggle was yet fierce and alive, came pestilence into those vaults and cellars where the aged, and the women and the children, lay sheltered from the storm of shells. They sickened in vast numbers, and died there where they lay. The survivors left them in their tomb; or, if charitable hands carried the corpses out to the door of some ruined church, there they lay unburied, in large and fearful companies of shapes, that rotted and dissolved. The bones of more than 40,000 pesrons, of every age and sex, lay all about, above and below the earth, horrible to the hasty tread. Some 12,000 sickly and feeble men survived, to lay down those arms which they could scarce support."-p. 180.

REVIEW.-Dr. Lardner's Cabinet Library, vol. II. Memoir of the Life and Reign of George IV. vol. I. 12mo. pp. 307. Longman. London. 1831. THE title of this volume furnishes decisive evidence that its subject is deeply interesting to every Englishman. A considerable portion of the events recorded, having originated during the present generation, and given an impulse to measures which are still in operation, it is of importance to have an opportunity of tracing effects to their causes, and of observing upon what

over in total silence. But unfortunately these details are so mixed up with petty incidents, intrigues, and trifles, that the dignity of their character sustains an eclipse by the unnecessary association.

Entering on the period of George IV., the same diligent attention to affairs of little moment is equally conspicuous. The station which they occupy is too prominent for the biography of a British monarch, and the record of them can confer no lasting honour on his character. It is therefore to be regretted that so many pages are occupied with idle and domestic gossip, with anecdotes of gallantry, amours, intrigue, and with allusions to transactions in which licentiousness assumes a pernicious, because a delusive name.

We must not, however, forget, that this volume has many redeeming qualities. It lays bare the springs of political movement, and sometimes developes motives which lie concealed in their own operations. Of numerous events and occurrences the accounts given are both important and interesting; and the pleasure which they afford is heightened by their application to the period in which we live.

We learn from the title-page, that this history of the life and reign of George IV. will extend to three volumes. This will in a great degree restore that preponderation in favour of utility, in which the first volume appears to be deficient. The events also, which the two future volumes may be expected to detail, will increase in interest as they approach our days, to which they will be continually advancing.

From the acuteness and spirit frequently displayed in this volume, we have firm ground for cherishing high expectations of those that are to follow. The life and reign of our late sovereign contain many remarkable events, occurrences, and transactions, which, in the hands of a skilful biographer, cannot fail to become particularly interesting. This skill the compiler has already so fully evinced, that we feel convinced he will do ample justice to his subject.

THE fame of Massillon is well known throughout the christian world. This celebrated divine was born in 1663, and, coming to maturity, was distinguished by all ranks for his powerful eloquence. His style and language are said to have been simple, elegant, and perspicuous; his imagination lively, his images striking and natural, his thoughts just and delicate, his representations animated and forcible. He died in 1742, and in 1745 his works were collected and published by his nephew, in fourteen volumes.

It is from these works of this celebrated man, that the sermons in this volume have been selected; and every reader of them must be convinced, that their author justly merits the character above given. They contain most of the essential doctrines of gospel truth, accompanied with the dignity. and simplicity of its precepts and promises. Making due allowance for human infirmity, the age in which the author lived, and the influence of an imperative creed, the purity of christian principles loses little of its native loveliness by passing through his hands. Amidst diminutive shadows the system appears unmutilated, and harmoni. ous symmetry pervades all its parts.

In making his selections, Mr. Morris has displayed a sound and discriminating judgment. The discourses in this volume are excellent; and the truths they inculcate are of constant and universal application; but in what relation they stand to others from which they have been separated, our indistinct acquaintance with all the works of Massillon prevents us from knowing. If equal to those before us, we should rejoice to see them translated by the same competent hand.

Some few years since, we reviewed a small work by Mr. Morris, translated from the same celebrated author, entitled "Massillon's thoughts on different moral and religious subjects." In those detached extracts, the splendid talents of the author, and the ability of his translator, were sufficiently apparent to justify an exalted expectation, when the present volume was announced. Nor have we been disappointed.

The

beauty of his original he has carefully preserved, and even the spirit has suffered less than might have been expected while undergoing a transition. The diction of the translation is bold and energetic, plain and

THIS volume consists of extracts from the writings of celebrated ministers of the gospel, both alive and dead. To these may be added some few others who never officiated at the altar of divine truth.

The extracts in general are of an experimental and practical character. They contain much intrinsic excellence, and are adapted to guide and cheer the Christian pilgrim in his journey from this world to the next. The style, as may naturally be expected, is much varied, but, so far as these selections relate to their primary object, uniformity of purpose invariably prevails.

In many of these extracts, an extensive range of thought, and great strength of language, is perceptible, but the inculcation of piety is always the predominant feature. In a subordinate sense each selection may be considered in the light of a practical sermon, comprised in few words, and therefore the substance may be the more easily remembered. Utility is its object, and this the compiler has secured.

REVIEW.-The Olive Branch. 32mo. pp. 320. Baynes. Edinburgh. 1831. THIS annual visitant, though not deficient in common respectability, makes no pretensions to external decorations, and asks no tributes of admiration for its graphic embellishments. It has, however, a very neat vignette, and is also ornamented with the portrait of Robert Pollock, A. M. author of "The Course of Time, a Poem." The name and countenance of this deservedly celebrated young man, would be an ornament to any book; and to all who have seen the production of his muse, it will be deemed a valuable acquisition.

The articles which "The Olive Branch" contains, are chiefly of a religious character. Many subjects are selected from the sacred writings; but some apply to individuals and events, that merely owe their celebrity to the truths and doctrines of revelation. Others are founded on historical facts, or passing occurrences; but all have a strong bearing on the last and most mo. mentous interests of the human race.

It is somewhat remarkable, that when articles, which appear in any annual, are said to have a close connexion with the principles of revelation, vast numbers immediately entertain an idea, that they must be gloomy, monotonous, and uninviting. This, however, is by no means an invariable case, and to the charge, which an attachment to truth directs us to obviate, we adduce "The Olive Branch," as a decisive witness.

This book contains variety without losing sight of the family likeness, and presents compositions to the reader, that are cheerful without levity, and serious without being dull. Many of its incidents, anecdotes, and narratives, are so full of interest, that the reader forgets the diction in his ardour to follow the tale, and having traced it to a crisis, the moral leaves him scarcely any inclination to examine the vehicle which brought it to his mind. The style, however, is not deficient in energy and sprightliness; but if this had been the case, when the sentiment eclipses the language in which it is communicated, the reader might congratulate himself on the loss he has sustained.

REVIEW.-The Moral Muse: a Present for Young Ladies. By Emma Price. 8vo. pp. 224. Holdsworth. London.

1830.

IN looking at the exterior of this book, we cannot avoid observing the vast improvements, that, within the last two or three years, have been made in the appearance of works just issuing from the press. They have at present an elegance in their aspects which render them ornamental to any library in which they may find a place. For this newly-acquired neatness, we are, perhaps, indebted to the annuals; and we are bound to congratulate the compiler of this volume for having successfully followed the stimulating example.

But external appearance is of trifling consideration, when compared with what is enclosed within a splendid cover. In this also the fair selector has displayed much taste and feeling. We have perused with pleasure the greater portion of her extracts, but have not found one that we could wish she had omitted. In their general appearance they are too short; but this will not diminish their merit, and perhaps it may induce many a young lady to peruse them, while, if a little longer, she would have turned away from the frightful task. Yet we cannot but regret that a great waste of paper has been the price of this unmerited accommodation.

When the reader is informed that these selections have been made from works of our most celebrated poets, whose names are familiar to every lover of the muse, no other recommendation can be deemed necessary. In general the extracts are such as have but rarely appeared in works of this description, though every one must allow that they are in no respect unworthy of the transplantation they have here received.

BRIEF SURVEY OF BOOKS.

1. The History of Mary Pringle, a West Indian Slave, related by Herself, &c. (Westley and Davis, London,) is full of heart-thrilling interest, exhibiting the curse of slavery in more vivid colours by its simplicity, than all the sorceries of eloquence can command. It is an artless detail of vicissitudes, drawn from actual life, but a detail in which brutality and horror are always predominant. The Englishman or woman who can read this narrative without a tear or a sigh, is unworthy of the blessings which in this country we enjoy.

2. The Great Wheel, or the Fair Field of Fortune: a Dream, (Houlston, London, 1831,) is a pleasing little allegorical tale, adapted for the young, and conveying, under varied similitudes, some important lessons, which every reader would do well to follow. Pride, pleasure, vanity, appear with their allurements; but the sequel shews, that "the end of these things is death."

3. Scraps and Sketches. by George Cruikshank, part III. (Robins, London,) exhibit in various groups some of the most ludicrous figures that can be well imagined. Human beings, or, what at least should be so, appear in strange attitudes of distortion, and oddities of combination. In these varieties of droll representation, the author has displayed his inventive ingenuity to great advantage, and the humour with which they are characterized and described, is scarcely less fanciful than the sketches are grotesque.

4. Specimens of Penmanship, by J. P. Hemms, (Harding, London,) are exquisitely beautiful. Some months since, specimens somewhat similar, by the same artist, were noticed in the Imperial Magazine. Both the former and the present display a command of hand, which, for expansion, variety, boldness, and delicacy of touch are almost inimitable. We have seen many specimens of penmanship which have commanded our admiration, but to those of Mr. Hemms the enviable epithet of superlative may be justly awarded.

5. A Portrait of His late Royal Highness the Duke of York, and one of his present Gracious Majesty, King William, by J. P. Hemms, (Harding, London,) appear also before us, struck out in their countenances and attire, with the author's magic pen. Of these beautiful displays of art, no description can convey an adequate idea, to a person who has not seen them, and he who has will not want any. Both the portraits, and the preceding specimens of penmanship, having been engraved with care, confer a due degree of honour on the skill of Alexander, Palethorpe, Goodwill, and Whiteman, whose names they respectively bear.

6. A Portrait of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, (Bagster, London,) exhibits the countenance in profile. In this representation he appears to be "A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." The engraving is most beautifully executed, and, if properly mounted, would be an ornament to the most elegant apartment. But the principal circumstance that recommends this engraving to public attention, may be found in the following historical notice, inscribed on the plate.

"A true likeness of our Saviour, copied from the portrait carved on an emerald, by order of Tiberius Cæsar; which emerald, the emperor of the Turks afterwards gave out of the treasury of Constantinople, to Pope Innocent the Eighth, for the redemption of his brother, taken captive by the Christians."

"Drawn by N. Whittock, from an ancient tapestry, in the possession of the publisher, Mr. Samuel Bagster, Paternoster Row; and engraved on steel by J. Rogers."

7. Brotherly Love, a Sermon by Thomas Hill, Falmouth, (Mason, London,) is an unpretending discourse, which seems to have been published in vindication of the public character of the author. If this be a fair sample of his preaching, he has nothing to fear from calumny; for it is full of scriptural and benevolent sentiments. It is doubly orthodox, exhibiting both sound doctrine and right feeling.

8. Fables of the Day, written and arranged for the articles of all ages, by Francis Fitz-Esop, (Maunder, London, 1831,) direct their point in decent satire against some public occurrences, and some prominent persons of our day. The crimes and trial of Doctor Quack require no annotation. Cock Red and Cock Grey, will easily be understood. Other articles are of a similar character. Humour rather than severity is the predominant feature. In his

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lines, the author manifests no malignant feelings, so that on the whole they are better calculated to excite pity and risibility, than to provoke irritation.

9. The Reading and Spelling Expositor, &c. by the Rev. Percy Baldwin, M.A. (Sherwood, London,) is of course intended for children. The arrangement is good, the lessons are simple, and the book promises to be useful.

10. Anti-slavery Reporter, Nos. 75, 76. is a periodical which we can scarcely ever read with patience. We wish the occasion of it were discontinued. It is provoking to perceive interest and power contending against the claims of justice and humanity. It has been justly observed that slavery has a natural tendency to blunt the amiable feelings of our nature. The truth of this position is daily exemplified, not only in all the slave-cultured colonies, but among those who, in this country, defend that inhuman system.

11. The Voice of Humanity, or the Conduct of Man towards the Brute Creation. No. III. (Nisbet, London,) exposes the inhumanity of a degraded portion of our race towards the animals, just as the AntiSlavery Reporter does the conduct of man towards his own species, because they are defenceless, and have black skins. The instances of wanton barbarity recorded in this number are almost too shocking to be transcribed.

12. Speeches of Mr. William Collins of Glasgow, delivered at Manchester and Liverpool, in favour of Temperance Societies, (Whittaker, London,) enter with much animation into the merits of this important subject. The author, however, does not appear to be actuated by a zeal untempered with prudence. His reasonings are cogent as well as spirited, and his calculations and conclusions are both striking and legitimate.

13. Historical Sketch of the Bank of England, &c. (Longman, London, 1831,) will furnish much amusing information to many readers; but it will be found chiefly interesting to political financiers, to capitalists, large fundholders, and commercial

men.

14. Thoughts on Usury and the Bill System, (Holdsworth and Ball, London, 1831,) is rather a religious than a commercial pamphlet. The author seems to argue, that all interest received for money lent is usurious. This he endeavours to prove from scripture; but we cannot congratulate him on his success. He has started objections which he has not answered.