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1137

Review.-Family Classical Library.-French Dictionary.

REVIEW.-Family Classical Library, No. X. Pindar and Anacreon. The former translated by the Rev. C. A. Wheelwright, and the latter by Thomas Bourne. 12mo. pp. 322. Colburn. London. 1830.

OF Mr. Valpy and his works we have frequently spoken in terms of such high commendation, that he can now perhaps bring before us nothing that will raise either him or them in our esteem. It is enough to say of his Family Classical Library, that it maintains the exalted character with which

it commenced. The present volume, like its predecessors, bears the stamp of his editorial hand, and ranks equally with them in this elegant and useful series of the

classics.

Mr. Wheelwright's translation of the odes of Pindar will not bear strict comparison with the original, yet, admitting this, no slight should be cast on the abilities of the learned gentleman: perhaps it is not possible to preserve the glow of these enthusiastic strains whilst transferring them into another tongue.

every line.

Mr. Bourne's translation of Anacreon is more happy. The wine-inspiring gaiety of the Greek Lyric Poet is apparent in nearly While the translator has felicitously caught up the spirit of the original, he has also most laudably subdued the occasional licentiousness of his author. The subjoined Ode is probably one of the most successful efforts of Anacreon, and of his translator.

ODE XLIII.-ON THE GRASSHOPPER.*

"Happy insect! all agree

None can be more bless'd than thee;
Thou, for joy and pleasure born,
Sipp'st the honied dew of morn.
Happier than the sceptred king,
Midst the boughs we hear thee sing.
All the season's varied store,

All thy little eyes explore,

Fruits that tempt, and flowers that shine,
Happy insect all are thine.
Injuring nothing, blamed by none,
Farmers love thee-pretty one!
All rejoice thy voice to hear
Singing blithe when summer's near.
Thee the tuneful Muses love,
Sweetly chirping in the grove;
Thee the great Apollo bless'd
With a voice above the rest.
Thou from wasting age art free,
Time has nought to do with thee.
Skilful creature, child of song,
Though to earth thou dost belong,

*This insect, though called a grasshopper, is certainly of a very different species of locust from that so common in our fields and meadows. Indeed its habit of settling on trees is of itself a sufficient distinction. I am not aware that it has any proper English name, though by some writers it is called the cicada, or cicala.

+ The ancient Athenians compared themselves to these insects, either on account of their skill in music, or because like them they were descended from the earth. They likewise wore golden ornaments in their hair, resembling grasshoppers. The Chinese ladies 144.-VOL. XII.

Free from nature's woes and pains, Free from flesh, or blood-fill'd veins,t Happy thing! thou seem'st to me Almost a little god to be!"

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P. 43.

REVIEW.-The Pocket French Grammatical and Critical Dictionary, by Gabriel Surenne, F.A.S.E. 24mo. pp. 356. Simpkin, London, 1830. THIS little work is a literary gem of the finest water. Within an extremely moderate compass the able author has succeeded French language; together with many oriin compressing the very essence of the ginal illustrations of popular errors, and Gallic tongue. idiomatic peculiarities connected with the We rejoice that such a scholar as Surenne, throwing off the trammels of custom and antiquated method, has set so fine an example of useful innovation in the compilation of scholastic treatises.

The work begins with an Analytical Introduction, in which the frame-work of the whole structure is shown at one view. The heads herein contained are ten, viz :pronunciation; grammar; vulgarities and popular errors; peculiarities, niceties; and difficulties; synonymy, homonymy, paronymy; nouns of both genders; epistolary correspondence and miscellaneous expressions. This interesting outline is afterwards filled up with a mass of valuable information (for the most part entirely novel) and well adapted to supply desiderata of the first importance in the study of the French language.

:

What is said in reference to pronunciation, it must be understood, can render efficient service to him only who has spent some little time in France, or who has had the assistance of a native teacher. Indeed, the literal euphony of the French language is essentially different from that of the English; and, notwithstanding repeated efforts, it is found impossible, by any combination of written characters, to give a correct idea of the former to a person who is acquainted only with the latter.

The vulgarities and popular errors into which the French student is apt to fall, are illustrated in the most striking and comprehensive manner; and he who would

still wear, fastened to their heads by springs, small golden figures of a bird, the wings of which flutter with the slightest motion.

Homer represents the gods as being free from blood; and, speaking of Venus being wounded, he says,-(Pope's Homer, book v.)

From the clear vein a stream immortal flow'd,
Such stream as issues from a wounded god;
Pure emanation! uncorrupted flood!

Unlike our gross, diseased, terrestrial blood.
(For not the bread of man their life sustains,
¡Nor wine's inflaming juice supplies their veins.)

4 C

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Review.--Advice to Trustees-The Arrow and the Rose.

divest himself of these inelegancies cannot take a better guide for the purpose than our author.

The peculiarities, niceties, and difficulties of the language are exemplified with great perspicuity; but the pupil will probably derive a more substantial knowledge of choice expression and difficult arrangement, from a perusal of the best French writers, than from these isolated examples.

We regret that the plan of the present work would not admit more extended

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We are not in the habit of noticing legal works in general, because they are foreign to the design of our publication; but as this is a treatise of extensive information, illustrations of synonymy. In the French, and of great practical utility, we take the as indeed in every other tongue, the words liberty of introducing it to the attention of usually classed as synonyms, are not so in our readers. It is what the title-page fully reality; each having an application and a expresses, "advice to trustees ;" and conmeaning more or less peculiar to itself. tains practical suggestions, the result of exHence, to understand thoroughly the syno-perience, during an extensive practice of nyms is to have at command the principal delicacies of a language.

Homonymy and paronymy are nothing more than branches of synonomy; and the errors to which they are liable to lead are more effectually obviated by an extensive acquaintance with the language, than by the most complete list of homonymous and paronymous expressions that could be framed. Their association with other terms being the best means of determining the sense in which they should be taken.

By a synonym the French understand, as we do, a word similar in meaning, or very nearly so to another; but by homonymy they mean an agreement in sound, without reference to the spelling, between words signifying different things; and paronymy implies a difference of only a single letter, and a perfect agreement in sound. Now, perhaps the pure meaning of these several terms will be more easily understood from the following English examples :SYNONYM.-Wealth: Riches. HOMONYM.-Porter, a carrier: Porter, a

beverage.

PARONYM.-Heal, to cure: Heel, part of

the foot.

More extended remarks on the plan and execution of this small volume are scarcely necessary. It includes much useful information, and many valuable precepts; but there is a something of obscurity in the arrangement, which, it is likely, will render it in some measure a sealed book to those who have not the advantage of a teacher. On the whole, however, it is a highly commendable performance; and we perfectly agree with the author, that "if on the one hand he has cause to regret that the multifarious and instructive matter contained in this Dictionary has appeared in the present form, instead of a respectable octavo,-on the other hand, he is gratified that it has

more than forty years. Other works of a
similar kind have occasionally appeared;
which, although respectable in their way,
have not met the wishes of the public, be-
cause from them they could derive but little
information. The advice of Mr. Grant
may, however, be read by the members of
the profession to advantage.
Yet its more
immediate design is for the use of trustees
themselves, and those who appoint to that

office.

Such as wish to understand the nature and extent of the duties in which they engage, or to discharge them respectably, with honour and fidelity, would do well to consult this small treatise. It shews the nature and importance of the duty, the suitable qualifications requisite for the office, and the powers and liabilities with which it is connected. It clearly points out the dangers to be avoided, and the best means of removal and release, in cases of absolute necessity.

The information is miscellaneous and interesting, written in a plain and familiar style, all tending to prove and illustrate "the propriety of trustees not suffering themselves to be ever advised to deviate from the plain requisition of the instrument enacting their authority, and pointing out their duty."

REVIEW.-The Arrow and the Rose, and other Poems, by William Kennedy, 8vo. pp. 143. Smith, Elder, and Co. London. 1830.

THE name of William Kennedy is well known in the poetical world, and the fame, with which it has been associated, is not diminished by the present publication. "The Arrow and the Rose" is, however, one of those compositions, that is not likely to captivate the reader, while cursorily

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Review.-National Portrait Gallery-Cabinet Cyclopedia.

glancing over its pages. If ignorant of the narrative to which it refers, he will wander in darkness among its brilliancies, and perhaps stumble over some of its most valuable gems. Thus meeting with an early disappointment, the volume will be laid aside, neglected, and forgotten, to moulder among the dregs of Parnassus. Such, we have no doubt, will be its fate, with the greater number of readers into whose hands it will probably fall.

Some few, however, who know how to appreciate its merits, will survey it in a different light. They will not overlook the thought and feeling, which a felicitous originality of language is sometimes selected and combined to express. Their acquaintance with the narrative on which the poem is founded, will also tend greatly to enhance its value in their estimation; and the importance of their approbation will more than compensate for the deficiency in numbers, of those who applaud.

To please the multitude, and gain the favourable opinion of the critic, many poems are not adapted. The beauties which charm the latter, will frequently be disregarded by the former; and what the general reader admires as excellent, the fastidious connoisseur will think too commonplace to call forth his tribute of applause. For his principal poem, "The Arrow and the Rose," Mr. Kennedy will assuredly secure the smiles of the exalted few; and with their decided approbation, commonambition should be content.

In favour of his minor pieces, there, however, can be little doubt, that all his readers will bear their testimony. We have perused several with particular attention and interest, and regret that our want of room prevents us from laying some pleasing extracts before the reader. To supply this deficiency, we strongly recommend a perusal of the volume, from a full persuasion that it will not be deemed unworthy of his regard.

REVIEW.-National Portrait Gallery of Illustrious and Eminent Personages of the Nineteenth Century, with memoirs by William Jerdan, Esq., No. XVIII. Fisher, Son, and Co., London, 1830. THIS very superb work is published under the immediate patronage of the King; and if elegance in its portraits, and correspondent diction in its literary department; can entitle it to respect, it is well deserving the honour it has attained.

This part contains portraits of Viscount Melville, Mr. Abernethy, and Viscount

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Clifden. These have been executed by some of our ablest artists, who, paid liberally for their labours, have levied a requisition on their talents, to finish them as exalted specimens of the graphic art. In this attempt they have most happily succeeded. The memoirs, the type, and the paper, are in unison with the decorations. From its commencement to the present time, this work has been very considerably improved; and, preserving its reputation to the conclusion, it will form one of the most splendid publications of the age that gave it birth.

No. XIX. of the same work is also now before us; it contains the portraits of Viscount Goderich, Professor Porson, and the Hon. Welbore Agar Ellis, with memoirs of each respectively. To this part of the National Portrait Gallery, the observations made on the preceding may be justly transferred They are not rivals for superiority, but copartners in securing fame. Viewed in connexion with all that have preceded them, they form a constellation that emits a brilliant and a steady light, which the lapse of many years will not be able to extinguish.

The expense attendant on this work must be exceedingly great, for which nothing but an extensive sale can ever bring an adequate remuneration. Each number contains three splendid portraits, and suitable memoirs of exalted individuals, who, in the elevated walks of life, have associated their names with renown, during the nineteenth century. For each number thus embellished, the price is no more than three shillings, a sum that would appear inadequate to purchase simple impressions of the expensive plates.

If the present age had been unfriendly to works of art, this publication_would not have started into existence. Its intrinsic merit has attracted commanding patronage, and that patronage will preserve merit from deterioration.

REVIEW.-Cabinet Cyclopedia, conducted by Dr. Lardner, &c.- History of France, by Eyre Evans Crowe, Vol. I. 12mo. p. 382. Longman. London. 1830. LARDNER's Cyclopedia is now so generally known, and in such high repute, that little need be said to call the public attention to each succeeding volume. The commencement of the History of France now makes its appearance; and no one can doubt, from the exalted rank which that kingdom has almost invariably sustained among the nations of Europe, that a faithful account of its stability and vicissitudes must render it peculiarly interesting to every reader.

1143 Review. - Deadly Adulteration-Family Classical Library. 1144

The earlier part of its history, like that of most other countries, is involved in obscurity, disgraced by cruelty and injustice, and rendered contemptible by the follies, superstition, and vices with which it was dishonoured. Advancing in civilization and refinement, we behold France under a more luminous aspect; but the brightness becomes eclipsed by the clouds of bigotry and persecution, which rain showers of blood on some portions of its devoted territories. The calm which follows this awful tempest, is not destined to be permanent. Its late revolution gleams like a meteor among the constellations of the globe, shedding terror and dismay on each body that comes within the sphere of its attraction, or the range of its baleful influence.

These important topics will render the History of France interesting to every European. In this volume the author has entered on the commencement in a most auspicious manner, and thus, without the boast of vain pretensions, given promise that the consummation will not disappoint the reader's hopes.

The style in which this work is written, is easy, perspicuous, and dignified, neither encumbered with metaphors, nor inflated with pedantry. The sober march of historical narration and detail is preserved throughout; and to every impartial reader it must appear as a work less calculated to please the fancy than to improve the understanding, and to enlarge the mind.

REVIEW.-Deadly Adulteration, and Slow Poisoning; or Disease and Death in the Pot and the Bottle. By an Enemy of Fraud and Villany. 12mo. pp. 186. Sherwood, London.

WE can scarcely look at this book without crying out murder, murder, murder! In every page fraud and villany stare us in the face. In all the necessaries of life, adulteration appears. Ingenuity seems to have been laid on the rack, to invent some new species of imposition on the public; and the only consequence to which the unprincipled perpetrator looks is, how he may pursue his nefarious practices, and yet escape detection.

In his table of contents, the author enumerates about fifty articles, embracing nearly every thing among the necessaries and conveniences of life, on which, in some way or other, adulterating villany contrives to practise its arts. In this catalogue we were much surprised to find "the frauds of pawnbrokers," and, until informed by the author,

were at a loss to conceive how this furnisher of the ginshop, could be implicated in these dishonourable transactions. On referring, however, to the specified page, the mask was pulled aside, and we saw this convenient tradesman busily at work.

It would appear, that in addition to the charges above what the law allows, it is not an uncommon practice to substitute articles of an inferior description for such as are of greater value; that gold hands are removed from watches, and their valuable working parts taken out, and others of base metal and inferior workmanship substituted; and that plate, and the cases of watches, are scraped with suitable instruments, to the great injury of the actual proprietors, who are so unfortunate as to visit these sources of temporary relief, but of permanent distress.

To describe the various modes and species of adulteration which deliberate wickedness employs, we have no inclination, lest a development of the iniquity, should increase the evil it was intended to remedy.

This author proceeds in much the same manner that distinguished the publication of Accum, in his "Culinary Poisons ;" and, like him, he makes us tremble at "death in the pot."

On a subject so interesting to all, as that on which this enemy to fraud and villany has written, it is to be regretted that he should have concealed his name, since its avowal would have inspired his readers with more confidence in his statements. A still greater cause of complaint is, the spirit of levity in which his book is written. Instead of viewing, with serious anguish, the practices which he exposes to view, he recounts them as matters of amusement, and either pities or laughs at John Bull for being made the victim of designing knaves.

We must not, however, omit to notice, that in immediate connexion with the statements of adulteration, the author points out in most cases, the means of detection, and describes the distinguishing characteristics of articles which have escaped adulteration. In these respects his book is highly valuable, and were its tests observed and followed up in practice by the purchaser, the dealers in adulteration would soon learn from experience, that honesty is, on the whole, the best policy.

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Review. Physiological Botany-Elgin Magazine.

or imitator, it is in Gibbon, whose ambition has been thought to lead him to this exalted pre-eminence above all his cotemporaries and competitors for fame, in the field of English literature.

It has been justly observed, in the biographical sketch with which this volume commences, that the annals of Tacitus may be called an historical picture-gallery. It is by magic power that he has been able to ani. mate the dry regularity of the chronologic order, and to spread a charm through the whole, that awakens curiosity and enchains attention. He sits in judgment on the prince, the senate, the consuls, and the people; and he finds eloquence to affect the hearts; and, through the imagination, to inform the understanding. The history of Tacitus is philosophy teaching by examples. The annals of Tacitus were in sixteen books. They embraced the history of the events which transpired from the death of Augustus to that of Nero, as well as those which preceded the epoch that formed the subject of the history. With an attempt to flatter, or misrepresent the subjects of his annals or of his history, he has never been accused. Candour and impartiality were his standard, and his claims to these essential qualifications of an historian, have never been disputed. He possesses the distinctness of Xenophon, without his uniformity; he is more eloquent than Livy, and is free from his superstition; and he has more knowledge and judgment than Polybius, without his affectation of reasoning on every occasion.

Of the exalted rank in which this venerable classical historian stands, but one opinion can be justly entertained. This is not the first time in which he has appeared in an English dress, but he was never before presented to the British public in such neat apparel, and with such decided advantage, as this in which he is now introduced by Mr. Murphy.

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ance with both appears necessary for every one who aims at a complete knowledge of botanical classification.

The anatomy of plants, leaves, and flowers is a subject scarcely less interesting than that of the animal structure, though, in point of importance, the latter will always claim the pre-eminence. But although in animal life, phenomena press more forcibly upon our senses, the silent economy of vegetable nature is not less remarkable to an attentive observer. Under the plastic instrumentality of secondary causes, throughout the vegetable world we discover the operative influence of the great and primitive Agent, displaying both his wisdom and power in the adaptation of parts to their respective purposes, and causing the whole to form one ultimate and important end.

To the youthful student, who wishes to become acquainted with this important portion of nature's productions, this volume will be found of essential service. In its nomenclature, the technicalities of its terms are explained; but to acquire an accurate knowledge of their import, application, and minute shades of distinction, both patience and industry will be required. These difficulties however, having been overcome, a new world of wonder and of beauty opening to his senses, will amply reward him for all his toils. In every field and garden, on every hedge and tree, he will find much to engross his attention, and engage his thoughts.

To this delightful empire of fragrance and colour this book will introduce the pupil, and his thanks to the author will increase in proportion to the progress that he makes.

REVIEW.-The Elgin Literary Magazine. 12mo. p. 428. Smith, Elder, and Co. London. 1830.

THIS volume consists of tales, essays, narratives, descriptions, and poetry. Some articles are original, but others claim a different parentage, and are indebted for their combination and arrangement to the compiler's

care.

In character they are much varied, embracing some specimen of nearly all that traverse the road, "from grave to gay, from lively to severe.' Nothing, however, of an immoral tendency makes its appearance in any of its pages. Amusement and instruction the editor has used his endeavours to blend, and his efforts have been crowned

REVIEW.-An Introduction to Systematical and Physiological Botany. By Thomas Castle, F.L.S. 12mo. 300. Baldwin. London. 1829. THIS work, ornamented with a great number of neatly coloured representations of stems, leaves, flowers, &c., found in the family of Flora, begins with the history of botany; it then proceeds to the elements and language of this pleasing, but, in many respects, obscure science. Artificial systems next engross the author's attention. these, the arrangements of nature and of art 1. Models of Modern French Conver make their appearance; and an acquaint-sation, by M. De La Claverie, (Whit

In

with meritorious success.

BRIEF SURVEY OF BOOKS.

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