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which every person is deeply interested, we beg to introduce his observations. It is "Spring colds in the month of March."

"There cannot be much fear of the person, who, like Spenser's March (Faerie Queen, vii. 7.) shall bend his brow to the blast, and dig his rood of land, and sow his bushel of seed, whether the bleak north or the biting east wind scatter consumption and death among the feeble inmates of the parlour, or the half-famished tenants of the hut

fate, therefore, being wholly unknown, is calculated to awaken the sympathy and solicitude of all his countrymen.

The summary of the whale-fishery of 1831, will be perused with much lively emotion by all who feel an interest in the commercial prosperity of England; but when, in looking over the list of ships em

or the garret. Free exposure to every wind that ployed in this hazardous undertaking, we

blows, provided always that requisite clothing and active exercise be attended to, will do more to banish coughs and consumptions, than all the fox-glove or Iceland moss that ever grew, all the bleeding, blistering, or Long rubbing that were ever tried. Confine yourself to a warm parlour, and you will shudder at every blast, and probably catch a bad cough, or a cold fever, at every slight change of weather, and will find it dangerous to venture out of doors during the cold and chilly days of Winter and Spring: but by free exposure and brisk exercise, you may learn to set the weather at defiance, and put on the vigorous and healthy look of the young Spring, instead of the church-yard cough, and undermining fever, of age and debility.".

Several beautiful copper plates, and well-executed wood engravings adorn this volume. Those which belong to the astronomical department are particularly interesting.

REVIEW.-Edinburgh Cabinet Library, Vol. I. Polar Seas and Regions. 12mo. pp. 488. Simpkin. London. 1832. In a former volume of the Imperial Magazine, we reviewed the first edition of this admirable treatise on the polar seas and regions; and we now feel more gratified than surprised, to find that it has reached to a third impression.

Including all that the preceding editions embraced, some important additions, which cannot fail to enhance the interest, that in every form it has been calculated to excite, have been introduced into this, that is now before us. One of these is, a singular monumental inscription, found on a stone in an erect position in Greenland in 1824. The engraving is in Runic characters, and bears the date of 1135.

The fate of a ship named the "John of Greenock," the severe sufferings and preservation of part of her crew, and their wintering in 1830, on a bleak and solitary shore of Baffin's Bay, is another subject of thrilling interest, belonging to the additional matter of this volume.

The departure of Captain Ross, in 1829, is distinctly noticed; but we regret to add, that although nearly three years have elapsed since he ventured into those dangerous regions, no account is given of his subsequent movements. From this silence, we cannot but infer, that no tidings of this intrepid adventurer have been received; his

find against so many names, "Lost in the ice," so repeatedly written, we cannot but conclude that it was a disastrous year. Other topics of original matter enrich the pages of this edition, and increase that intensity of interest, which this first volume of the Edinburgh Cabinet Library, was on its first appearance so calculated to excite, and in which it has been so eminently successful.

REVIEW.-Bible Illustrations, or a Description of Manners and Customs_peculiar to the East. By the Rev. Bourne Hall Draper. 12mo. pp. 264. Harris. London. 1831.

THE author of this little volume has very justly observed in the preface, that "it is not possible for a book of this size to inIclude the whole of those customs to which there are manifold allusions in the sacred writings. It, however, comprehends many of the most interesting and instructive, and such as are amply sufficient to prove that the scriptures are accurate in their representations, and worthy of respect, even where, at first sight, the sense does not immediately appear."

This remark is fully borne out by an appeal to the varied articles comprised in these pages. Between the facts which all travellers notice, and the statements of holy writ, there is a most striking coincidence, although they bear no resemblance to European manners, and modes of life. Where these facts appear, there can be no room for doubt, and from these we are led to infer truth, 'where, between the record and existing realities, we can trace no relation.

The fragments of history, and results of modern observation, with which this book abounds, will render it very pleasing to the youthful mind, and this pleasure will be considerably heightened by the several neat engravings which are introduced to illustrate the subjects described. To the juvenile library it will be a valuable acquisition, as it is neither dull nor tedious, no subject being continued beyond the interest which keeps attention always alive.

REVIEW.-Quintus Servinton, a Tale founded upon Incidents of real occurrence. In Three Volumes, 12mo. pp. 364, 357, 345. Smith and Elder. London. 1832.

WE learn from a brief preface, that the foundation of this tale was laid in a western county of England, but that when the manuscript was nearly ready for the press, the author's business called him to Van Diemen's land, where these volumes were actually printed, and whence copies have been sent to the British metropolis for sale. Respecting the tale itself, an introductory chapter furnishes the following information. The author, making an excursion into Devonshire, happened to spring from a hedge, by which means he dislocated his ankle. In this condition he was found by an intelligent lad, who procured assistance, and had him carried to the house of Quintus Servinton, which was near where the accident happened. Here he resided about a fortnight; and having been treated with more than common hospitality, the parties soon became familiar, and interested in each other's welfare.

Prior to the author's departure, Mr. Servinton put into his hands a manuscript, containing the history and vicissitudes of his life, and ultimately gave permission to have it printed. This presumed manuscript furnishes the materials of the present tale, the purport of which is to warn youth against indiscretion, to fortify the mind under the most gloomy appearances, and, finally, to guard against despondency under the most adverse circumstances.

The history of Quintus Servinton may be gathered from the predictions of a female gipsy, who thus delineated the principal events of his life, when telling the fortune of his father.

"Your children will be a score less two. He who is now entering the world (Quintus) will give you as much pleasure and as much pain as any of them; thrice will he be in danger of sudden or violent death; thrice will he undergo great reverse of fortune; his thrice tenth year will be the commencing

scene of his disasters; when he reaches his fortieth, he will have passed through all dangers, and will attain a happy and peaceful old age: but warn him, from his cradle, of from thirty to forty."-p. 7.

In following this tale through its various windings and evolutions, we discover that the presages of the gipsy received an almost literal fulfilment; and, thus compressed within a narrow compass, her prognostics may be said to embody the essence of the whole story. As a piece of machinery, the appearance of the gipsy may do exceedingly well; but whenever fiction lends its aid to encourage confidence in such divinations, its influence, enlisted

in the service of superstition, is engaged in dishonourable employment. We readily allow that, in language, all belief in her predictions is decidedly disavowed, but this disavowal is generally made when an event appears to confirm what she had foretold, and the reader is left to decide between fact and declaration.

The true light in which the author wishes these volumes to be considered, may be gathered from the following passages.

"First, then, as to the tale itself. Although it may appear, under this shape, or, as some, perhaps, may call it a novel, it is no fiction, or the work of imagination, either in its characters or incidents. Not by this, however, is it pretended to be said, that all the occurrences it details happened precisely in their order of narration, nor that it is the mere recital of the events of a man's life, but it is a biography, true in its general features, and in its portraiture of individuals; and all the documents, letters, and other papers contained in its pages, are transcripts, or nearly so, of originals, copied from the manuscript, which came into the author's hands in the manner described in the introductory chapter."Preface, p. ii.

We have no right to question the truth of the statement thus made, although the work is anonymous. Without all doubt, the names given to the individuals who appear, are manufactured for the purpose; nevertheless, we need not travel far, to find characters to which they will most accurately apply. In style and expression, we find many things objectionable. Profane language is a blot on any work which makes moral improvement its object and aim.

The tale contains many vicissitudes and incidents, some of which are accompanied with salutary reflections. Yet there is, on the whole, hanging about it, and diffused through its events, a certain looseness of language, which renders it better calculated to amuse than to instruct its readers.

REVIEW.-The Familiar Astrologer, &c. &c. By Raphael. 8vo. pp. 716. Bennet. London. 1832.

In olden times, full credence was given to the powers of the necromancer and the magician; and the existence of fairies, genii, and a long et-cetera of diablerie was universally admitted. Mankind generally appear now, however, to renounce all faith in witchery, and other demoniacal powers, and view the mystical traditions of other years, and the occult sciences connected with them, as appendages and characteristics only of an unenlightened and barbarous age. We concur most cordially in the dismissal from popular belief of all those supernatural powers, and monstrous legends, cherished by our forefathers; yet are we free to confess, that, as relics of the past, as the opinions once entertained by

mankind, they carry with them much to interest the mind.

To trace the rise and progress of the mystical sciences, and to develop the various causes which assisted the human imagination in adding absurdity to absurdity, would be foreign to our purpose; we may, however, advert to the great principle on which the credulity of a longforgotten race of men was originally founded, an innate consciousness in the human mind, that there are modes of existence differing widely from mortal life, and the consequent desire which men feel to penetrate into the arcana of a future or unknown state of being.

This large volume lays open the whole secret of the occult sciences, adverts both to principles and facts, which, whether true or false, are marvellous, though shrouded in mystical darkness, and exhibits incidents calculated to beget both astonishment and horror in timid and uncultivated minds.

BRIEF SURVEY OF BOOKS.

1. Sacred Imagery; or Illustrations of the principal Figures of Speech from the Bible, by Joseph Fincher, Esq. (Hatchard, London,) is a little book that will be found exceedingly serviceable for children. In pages seven and eight, we have an explanation of Metaphor, Allegory, Comparison, Personification, Apostrophe, Antithisis, Interrogation, Exclamation, Irony, and Climax. The subsequent parts are com posed of passages of scripture belonging to some one or other of the above branches of imagery, to which the reader is referred for an explanation. The plan is simple, and the selections have been judiciously chosen.

2. Divine Breathings, or Spiritual Meditations suited to the Occasion of Breaking Bread, by John Beart, (Wightman, London,) like many thousands of other publications, is very excellent, but it contains nothing new, and the market is too much overstocked for every one to obtain a general reading.

3. Thoughts in Affliction, by the Rev. A. S. Thelwall, A.M. (Seeley, London,) is an excellent little book, deserving the reader's very serious attention. It inculcates lessons of importance, whence both prosperity and adversity may derive much valuable instruction.

4. Poems, chiefly Occasional, by Samuel Frederick Green, (Author, London,) are pretty, little, sighing, smelling-bottle 2D. SERIES, NO. 15.-VOL. II.

things, spread over a vast expanse of excellent paper, and dedicated to Sir Charles Wetherell.

5. Eternity realized, or a Guide to the Thoughtful, by Robert Philip, (Book Society, London,) is a little volume, the contents of which almost instinctively transport us into another world. Its sections exhibit eternity in many serious and commanding lights, in each of which every reader is deeply interested. It is a practical view of this bottomless abyss, into which all generations must successively enter.

6. Narratives of Two Families exposed to the Great Plague of London, 1665, with Conversations on Religious Preparation for Pestilence, by John Scott, M.A. (Seeley, London,) could hardly ever have more opportunely re-appeared than at the present time, when the metropolis is menaced, and even visited, with an alarming epidemic, which of late years has ravaged the eastern world. The narratives are awfully interesting, and picture with gloomy vividness the state of London in 1665. The conversations arising from the subject, are well adapted to the occasion which gave them birth, and to the time and circumstances of their being reprinted.

7. The Christian Pattern, or a Treatise on the Imitation of Christ, by Thomas à Kempis, (Longman, London,) is a book which, in point of publicity, may rival John Bunyan's Pilgrim. Its name tells every thing, so that we have only to add, that this is a very neat edition of "The Christian Pattern."

8. A Practical Exposition of the Assembly's Shorter Catechism, &c. by Henry Belfrage, D.D. (Nisbet, London,) will be hailed as a charming book by all who are in love with the good old doctrine of election and reprobation.

9. The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, by Jeremiah Burroughs, (Religious Tract Society, London,) is a reprint from 1645, containing sermons on this Christian virtue. It is a book of sterling worth, and well deserving a place among the Society's publications.

10. A Practical Grammar of the French Language, being a Concise System of French Accidence and Syntax, &c. by L. Edward Peithman, L.L.D. (Douglas, Portman-street, London,) will be deemed a valuable book by all who study this almost universally cultivated tongue. It now enters into the essence of a genteel education, and every seminary is thought to be radically defective, in which it is not taught. This work appears to have been composed with care; the author's views are com159.-VOL. XVI.

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prehensive, and his observations discriminating. An attentive perusal of this grammar will enable the reader to acquire all the principles which books can teach, and nearly all that can be expected from any written source of information.

11. The Revivalist, (Simpkin, London,) is a new publication, which has for its object the best interests of mankind. Its arrangement is admirable, yet simple; and if each succeeding number bear inspection equally with those we have before us, no fear need be entertained for its success.

12. The Biblical Annual for 1832, containing a Fourfold Translation of the Book of Ecclesiastes, (Hamilton, London,) embraces the common English version, a new translation from the original Hebrew, from the Greek of the Septuagint, and from the Latin Vulgate. The translation from the Hebrew, the author informs us, is by one of his daughters; that from the Vulgate, by a younger sister; and that from the Septuagint, by himself. To the joint talents of this family, these translations are highly creditable. It is an honour to young ladies, to be thus usefully and studiously employed. In some few instances, the passages vary in their import, though in general they are radically the same. In other places, the translations differ more in words than in meaning. It is a work that will afford much critical amusement by the nice discriminations which the translations exhibit.

13. Arithmetical Tables for the use of Schools, &c. by James Child, (Simpkin, London,) will be found exceedingly useful to young persons, either at school or at home. It is a little book in which simplicity and utility are happily combined, and in which various rules are laid down with correctness and perspicuity. What the author has advanced on weights and measures, is at once comprehensive and intelligible to any ordinary capacity.

14. Part I. of the Complete Works of Tobias Crisp, (Bennet, London,) under the specious title of "Christ exalted," will prove a delicious morsel to the friends of Antinomian principles.

15. Anti-Slavery Reporter, Numbers 92-93, continues, as usual, to set the atrocity of this nefarious traffic in its proper light. The iniquities' developed are almost too abominable to command belief. We hope the day is near at hand, when slavery will find its termination in the British colonies.

16. The Substance of Four Discourses on the Signs of the Times, practically considered, &c. &c., by Josiah Redford,

(Baynes, London,) contains much to attract attention, and much to gratify an inquiring spirit. The author has surveyed "the signs of the times" under various aspects, some of which display friendly, and others frowning presages. He enters on his subject like a man aware of its importance, and draws from indisputable premises some very interesting and momentous conclusions.

17. Letters on Education, by J. P. Mursell, (Whittaker, London,) enter very copiously and luminously into this most important subject. The author includes in a sound education, the cultivation of the mind, the acquisition of select knowledge, and an aptitude to communicate it. In surveying its moral and political aspect, his remarks are forcible and appropriate; and, as the result of his argumentation and reasoning, this conclusion appears in prominent features-education is a blessing, which, under the influence of moral principles, cannot be too extensively diffused.

18. The Voluntary Nature of Divine Institutions, and the Arbitrary Character of the Church of England, a Discourse, preached at Dudley, by J. Maurice, (Holdsworth, London,) bears hard upon the establishment of our country, exposes its defects, and descants upon its abuses. Of what, however, may be advanced in its favour, the author takes no notice. He seems to consider it as anti-christian, and would, therefore, rejoice at its overthrow. In the latter part, he appears to be a son of Nimshi," for he driveth furiously."

19. Balaam, by the Author of "Fanaticism Unveiled," (Holdsworth, London,) is not exclusively confined to the individual whose name it bears, but makes excursions into the extensive territories of magic, soothsaying, and divination. The character of Balaam is certainly one of the most extraordinary that is recorded in the sacred volume. Its remarkable peculiarities the author has amply illustrated throughout his volume, and the result of his investigation he has thus summed up in his preface. "They who attend to the words which, 'he being dead, yet speaketh,' will bear, at least, an uncompromising testimony to the fact, that extraordinary gifts of THE SPIRIT are not always accompanied by the genuine fruits of THE SPIRIT, on the hearts and lives of their possessors; and that, without charity, the rarest gifts and endowments are nothing worth," p. ix. This is an entertaining and instructive book.

20. Le Traducteur; or Historical, Dramatic, and Miscellaneous Selections from the best French Writers, &c., by P. F. Merlet, (Wilson, London,) is in

tended to facilitate the acquirement of the French language. For this the plan is admirably adapted; and the notes, idioms, and grammatical peculiarities, will be found of great utility. The selections having been made with care, taste, and judgment, cannot fail to stimulate the pupil in fully understanding, what a transient glance will convince him is at once amusing and replete with interest.

21. A Treatise on Pulmonary Consumption, its Prevention and Remedy, by John Murray, F.S.A. F.L.S. F.G.S. &c., (Longman, London,) is professional, rational, and scientific. The dreadful malady to which Mr. Murray calls our attention, destroys annually, in Great Britain alone, about 55,000, or 150 every day; and, what adds greatly to the calamity is, that no adequate remedy has ever yet been discovered for this awful disease. In this treatise, the author directs our attention to prevention and remedy. A neglected cold, improper diet, confined air, sedentary habits, overheated apartments, transition from heat to cold, damp feet, unequal clothing, and chilling currents of air, the author places among the predisposing causes of this fatal malady. These, every reader knows how to avoid; but, when prevention has been neglected, the remedies, such as may be obtained, must be left to gentlemen of the faculty. This volume displays considerable research, and abounds with enlightened observations.

22. Writings of John Fox, Bale, and Coverdale, (Religious Tract Society, London,) is a reprint of various works by the above celebrated authors. In useful employment of this nature, the Religious Tract Society have been actively engaged for some years, and their exertions have brought into extensive circulation many valuable publications, that time had half forgotten in its march. Of these works, this is one, entitled to more than common regard.

23. Universal Instruction; Epitome of Historia Sacre, adapted, by a literal Translation, to Jacotot's Method, &c., by Joseph Payne, (Simpkin, London,) is worthy the attention of all who profess to teach languages. His plan, which is universal in its application, is illustrated by its adaptation to the Latin tongue. Whatever tends to facilitate the acquirement of any language, provided the knowledge obtained is neither defective nor superficial, is an important acquisition. This desirable object is promised in the work before us, with the most flattering indications of ultimate success. In the early stages, the pupil may find some difficulties to encounter, but, these sur

mounted, the path will be plain and luminous. On the continent, we apprehend that Jacotot's method of teaching languages is in very high repute; and in this country nothing more appears necessary, than that the principles of his plan should be understood, to ensure it an equal degree of celebrity.

24. Indigestion and Costiveness; with Hints to both Sexes on the Use of Lavements, &c., by Edward Jukes, Surgeon, Inventor of the Stomach Pump, (Effingham, Wilson, London,) is a treatise which belongs to gentlemen of the faculty, rather than to common readers. It contains, however, many important observations, which all can understand, and gives much wholesome directions, that might be followed with great advantage. The author justly considers, that, to prevent disease, is always better than to apply remedies. With this view, he strongly recommends a strict attention to the state of the bowels, in which most complaints primarily originate. Lavements, or clysters, he prefers to medicine taken in the usual way, and describes an apparatus which may be safely used in cases of indigestion and costiveness.

25. Practical Remarks on the Inutility of the Hydrostatic Test in the Detection of Infanticide, by Henry William Dewhurst, Surgeon Accoucher, &c. &c. (Author, London,) is a small treatise, which shews, that the commonly-received proofs of an infant having been born alive, are indecisive and unsatisfactory. His observations appear reasonable; but, while he discards the generally supposed tests of detection, he does not appear to have introduced any thing more conclusive in their stead.

26. Buchan's Domestic Medicine, (Wash. bourne, London,) wants no recommendation beyond its name. Few medical books are better known, more highly valued, or more deserving of perpetual circulation.

27. A Translation of the Statutes of the Royal_Hanoverian Guelphic Order, &c. &c., by John Frost, F.S.C. Kcts. K.S.S. (Gardiner, London,) will be chiefly interesting to those who delight in being "stuck o'er with titles, and hung round with strings ;" and to adepts in the art and mystery of heraldry, it may be a very entertaining book; but beyond these localities, we think that very few will ever celebrate its birth-day. It displays, however, in the translator, an intimate acquaintance with his subject, and encircles the institution with a glittering halo of evanescent glory. A list of the members, in their various distinctive honours, is given at the close.

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