with marriage portions. In the morning, gon- || laws protected the contracts by which mothers dolas elegantly ornamented, assembled from all || unblushingly made a traffic of their daughters' quarters of the city at the episcopal church of honour, and where, by the facility of divorce, Olivolo. The affianced pairs disembarked the ecclesiastical court was besieged at the amidst the sound of music; their relations and same moment with nine hundred petitions for friends in their most splendid habiliments swel- the privilege of legalized adultery. led their retinue; the rich presents made to the

Allusively to the miserable fall of Venice to what he justly terms 66 the consummation of the long tragedy of Italy "—Mr. Perceval concludes his work with the subjoined impressive moral :

brides, their jewels and ornaments, were proudly borne for display; and the body of the people, unarmed, and thoughtless of danger, followed the glad procession. The Istrian pirates, acquainted with the existence of this annual festival, had the boldness to prepare an ambush for the nuptial By Englishmen it should never be forgotten, train in the city itself. They secretly arrived that it is only the abuse of the choicest bounty over night at an uninhabited islet, near the of heaven, which has brought a moral desochurch of Olivolo, and lay hidden behind it with lation upon the fairest land of the universe. their barks until the procession had entered the That it is because the gifted ancestors of the church, when darting from their concealment, Italian people consumed their inheritance of they rushed into the sacred edifice, through freedom in wanton and licentious riot; because all its doors, tore the shrieking brides from || they recklessly gave the reins to their untamed the arms of their defenceless lovers, possess- and fatal passions; above all, because, in the ed themselves of the jewels which had been early cultivation and refinement of intellect, displayed in the festal pomp, and immediately they forgot to associate it with virtue, and put to sea with their fair captives and their presumptuously neglected to hallow it by relibooty. But a deadly revenge overtook them.gion, that their descendants have come to this The Doge, Pietro Candiano III., had been present at the ceremony; he shared in the fury and indignation of the affianced youths; they flew to arms, and throwing themselves under his conduct into their vessels, came up with the spoilers in the lagunes of Caorlo. A frightful massacre ensued; not a life among the pirates was spared; and the victors returned in triumph with their brides to the church of A procession of the maidens of Venice revived for many centuries the recollection of this deliverance on the eve of the Purification. But the Doge was not satisfied with the punishment which he had inflicted on the Istriots. He entered vigorously upon the resolution of clearing the Adriatic of all the pirates who infested it; he conquered

Olivolo.

part of Dalmatia; and he transmitted to his

successors, with the ducal crown, the duty of consummating his design.

Mr. Perceval exhibits a frightful picture of the licentiousness of private manners in Venice, previously to the period "when the wild deluge of the French revolution swept her from the political map of the

world."

It was then in vain that the government endeavoured to stem the tide of corruption in a city, where patricians presided at the public gambling-tables in their robes of magistracy; where the miserable children of prostitution were employed by the police to ruin men whose wealth might render them dangerous; where the

thing:-that they have been abandoned to the scorn and oppression of the despots of Europe, and have become a bye-word of mingled contempt and pity to the more fortunate nations of the universe.

Mr. Perceval's history is carefully print. ed, with marginal dates and references. After what we have already said, it is scarcely necessary for us to add, that we regard it as a valuable accession to our stores of historical information.

Mr. Britton, the industrious and indefatigable Mr. Britton, is again before us.* More than twenty of his publications, most of them of high price, already enrich the libraries of our lovers of literature and patrons of the arts; and an important addition to the number is now made by his first volume (in quarto, imperial octavo, or medium octavo, at the option of the purchaser) of " Illustrations of the Public Buildings of London, with Historical and Descriptive Accounts of each Edifice." Associated, however, with Mr. Britton's name, in the title-page, is that of " A. Pugin, architect.”

* For notices of this gentleman's " History and Antiquities of Wells Cathedral," and "History and Antiquities of Bath Abbey Church," both of them beautiful and splendid productions, vide LA BELLE ASSEMBLEE, vol. i. pages 136, 274.

About thirty edifices are here illustrated we can afford room for, is the following by seventy-two architectural engravings,|| anecdote, related upon the authority of the neatly and carefully executed in outline. individual under whose observation it ocThe expense of the designs must have been curred. It forms a curious illustration of very great, and the paper and typography the superstitious regard which English of the work are, in every respect, commensailors entertain for the bird called the surate with the beauty of the plates. In stormy petrel :the list of buildings, respecting which much curious information is supplied by Mr. Britton and various other contributors, we find St. Paul's Cathedral, the Church of St. Stephen's, Walbrook; St. Martin's; St. Mary, Woolnoth; St. Paul's, Covent-Garden; St. Bride's, Fleet Street; the Temple; St. Pancras; St. Mary-le-bone; St. James's, Westminster, &c.;—the Custom House; all the regular theatres; the Diorama; the London and Russell Institutions; the Royal Exchange; Bethlehem Hospital; Mr. Hope's House; Mr. Soane's Museum, &c.

39 66

He had been with his regiment in the Mediterranean for several years, and was returning to England in a trading vessel. He was the only passenger on board, and, her commander being an agreeable person for his station, they became intimate, and were constantly in each other's company. One beautiful calm evening, when seated in the cabin together, their conversation turned upon the pleasures of revisiting home, and of meeting beloved friends, after a long absence from both. The ship-master pointed to the sun, which was then setting, and said that he hoped soon to see it descend with equal loveliness, behind the mountains that encompassed his native valley. He then spoke with passionate fondness of his young wife and his two children, and remarked, that he had at that moment such a vivid recollection of their features, that they seemed almost tangible. He was interrupted by a stormy petrel entering the cabin through one of the stern windows. It flew round the apartment three times, and then disappeared. He instantly started up, exclaiming, All is over with me! I shall never see my family more!" and then burst

into tears. His passenger inquired the cause of his agitation, and endeavoured to soothe him, but without avail. "I have received an intimation of my death, from the bird which has just visited us," said the ship-master. "None of its species ever approach human beings except for a similar purpose. I shall die three days hence, and it will carry away my

Amongst the numerous novel productions on our table, are two handsomely printed volumes, entitled " Foreign Scenes and Travelling Recreations," by John Howison, Esq., of the Hon. East-India Company's service, and author of "Sketches of Upper Canada." This belongs to a class of works which is becoming, most deservedly, extremely popular. It consists of an assemblage of sketches, originating partly in fact, partly in imagination, interspersed with, and illustrated by, many judicious practical observa-|| tions, the result of experienced and extensive commerce with the world. Its literary parent, we are informed, is the brother of Mr. William Howison, author of "Fragments and Fictions," Essays on the Sentiments of Adaptation," &c., and a wellknown contributor to Blackwood's Maga-vey us home before the fatal moment arrives." zine. The titles of the respective papers will convey some idea of the work:-Life at Sea-Boarding-House RecollectionsThe City of Havana-A Journey in the Deckan-Two Days at the Cape of Good Hope-A Voyage from Havana to New Providence-Life in India-Foreign Adventure-The Cantonment of Seroor-and The Delinquent. With the exception of a few Scotticisms, which, in the event of a second edition, may without difficulty be dismissed, the style of these volumes is very pleasing, and some of the incidents recorded are of an unusually striking character. The only extract, however, that

soul. No winds, however favourable, can con

He then requested to be left alone, and, after some hours of seclusion, came upon deck with an air of the deepest despondency. The weather continued delightful, and the vessel made rapid progress in her voyage; but the commander seemed indifferent to every thing, and daily declined in strength and health, notwithstanding all the reasoning and consoling attentions of his passenger. He employed much of his time in making arrangements relative to his family, and died about the period he had predicted.

Those who have had the pleasure of perusing "Recollections of the Peninsula ;" or, "Scenes and Impressions in Egypt "narratives of real recollections-must be

prepared for much interesting matter in two volumes, entitled "The Story of a Life," by the same author, now before us. A romance on the history of life, from a writer who, as we know from his former productions, has widely seen the world, both as to countries and to men, must be attractive. In these volumes, we have the expectations which the former awakened," fully realized. Scenery is described like pictures to the eye; characters are painted, till the beings live before you. The tale itself is of deep, touching, animated interest; but we will not rob the reader of || one jot of its captivating spell, by anticipating the history. Genius guides the pen; and a consummate lesson for man's heart, and mind, and conduct, is the striking result. No reader can lay the book down, without feeling his heart warned from vice, his soul stirred to virtue; and, as the story is so composed by the author as to be told by the hero of the tale himself, we find all the strong, descriptive, enthusiastic language which, seeming to belong to the impassioned character of the acting person, rather than to a mere narrator of events, deepens the illusion; and so confirms the admirable effect of the whole most interesting and moral picture. The author ap-marked contempt by her aunt; but, on this pears to have Rousseau's pen consecrated to virtue.

find her virtues and sufferings in Catherine Greville; while rival Duchesses may be reproved by the heartless ambition and profitless artifice of Mrs. Courtney." The story is skilfully wrought, but is so intricate as to admit of only a very faint outline. Mrs. Courtney, a fashionable widow, encumbered with four daughters and a son, to scatter whom handsomely through the court calendar" employs her every thought, and to effect which, she does not scruple to sacrifice the best feelings of humanity; Catherine Greville, a dependant niece; and Francis Vaughan, a relative of the Courtney family, a high-spirited but almost unfriended youth, constitute the more prominent dramatis persona. Vaughan falls in love with his cousin, Catherine; but with nothing to depend upon but his own exertions, he leaves her, enters the army as a volunteer, and embarks for Spain. He is in several engagements, displays great courage, gains the esteem of his brother officers, is rapidly promoted, and returns to England to claim his Catherine. During his absence, however, Catherine's father, long supposed to be dead, returns with a princely fortune from India. Hitherto, Catherine had been treated with the most

sudden change of fortune, she receives the utmost kindness, and every effort is made,

"London in the Olden Time, or Tales in- by the intriguing Mrs. Courtney, to effect a tended to illustrate the Manners and Super-union between Miss Greville and Philip, stitions of its Inhabitants from the Twelfth to the Sixteenth Century," is a very clever, amusing, and instructive volume, the character of which is well described in its titlepage. The tales are spirited and graphical in an eminent degree. For the production of a work upon this plan, the author of "The Witchfinder" would be found admirably qualified. We do not apprehend, however, that we are indebted to his pen for this.

We have been much gratified and amused by a perusal of “ Husband Hunting, or the Mother and Daughter, a Tale of fashionable Life," in three volumes, the characters of which are avowedly" drawn from the life." "The two great sources of wisdom," as the ghost of Johnson is made to inform us in the preface, “personal knowledge and public fame, have not been forgotten; and titled beauty, beset by family intrigue, will

her son. Vaughan's letters are intercepted, his character is blackened, and on his return he finds Catherine on the eve of marriage with Philip. He quits England in disgust; but returns, and finds that Catherine, having discovered the treachery practised towards her, had refused to marry Philip. The artifices of Mrs. Courtney had proved unsuccessful. Clementina, her eldest daughter, is united, at the age of twenty-two, to the Earl of Lovemore, a dandy of sixty-five, at whose death shortly after it is proved that he had been married ten years before to an actress ;-Seraphina runs off with a French Count, who proves to be a smuggler; Martha, with a Captain, a notorious gambler; Julia, the youngest daughter, and the only amiable person in the family, elopes with Lieutenant Gordon, the youngest son of a Baronet, who had incurred his father's displeasure; and

Philip Courtney closes a life of dissipation, vice, and the blackest infamy, by suicide. The novel closes, as usual, with the|| happy union of the hero and heroine, and the disposal of all parties according to the speaketh, so Pope is the word, a disappointlaws of poetic justice. The work is written with much spirit, and many of the scenes, particularly those in the Peninsula, are painted with great animation and effect. Altogether this is one of the most agreeable productions of its kind that has for a long time appeared.

Her cheek was pallid to the last degree;

At Ackermann's 'tis blooming as the rose : Her mouth is large; her eyes appear to be

ed rice. Romping, &c. again in the afternoon; supper at seven or eight, with a bit of cold fowl, roast mutton or beef, and some more Scotch ale! At other times, ladies are to allay their thirst, not by drinkmirroring, but by bathing the hands and face in

Too far apart; and shapeless is her nose.
If in description I've been rather free,
I've shewn no more than what her

shows :

But in their mirrors ladies never find
The portrait homely-vanity is blind!

Her chamberlain, a Polyphemus, stood
With hideous aspect close behind her chair;
Monstrum horrendum! he did all he could

To make his features uglier than they were.
His widowed optic had not, as it should,

A glass companion, and was seen to stare From a deep region, which a bandage black Had half concealed-his breeches seemed a

sack.

A bristly covert crown'd his upper lip,
Besmeared with grease, and parted into
twain,

With forky points conveying t'wards the tip
Of his huge nose, which o'er them hung

amain.

These mad mustachios he forbore to clip,

But let them still a savage growth attain. His oblong mouth their wild luxuriance hid; His face seemed all things human to forbid.

cold water.-There is much more to be done, for which we beg leave to refer mammas to the book itself. With a great deal of affectation, of various kinds-affectation of philosophy, affectation of smartness, affectation of non-affectation, &c.this production, spun out to an immoderate length, has a certain air of cleverness, and will be found useful in puffing the "Oracle of Health," &c. To the attention of matronly ladies, mothers of families, we can venture to recommend it; especially the earlier portion of the volume, relating to beauty of shape and carriage, as it very successfully exposes and combats many mischievous and highly injurious prejudices. A reduced and expurgated edition might be prepared for the general use of young

ladies.

"The Juvenile Sketch Book, or Pictures of Youth, in a Series of Tales," by the author of "Dangerous Errors," is a modest, unassuming, cleverly-written volume, conveying many useful lessons, and affording no small share of amusement. It consists of four tales, or sketches: "Prejudice, or the Little French Girl;" Selfhood, or the two Friends;" "The Blue Silk Scarf;" and "Lucy Milford, or Youthful Fortitude," all of which may be read with advantage, and the volume itself may be safely recommended as an agreeable and suitable present for youth.

NEW MUSIC. "Not a Drum was heard," by J. Braham. -Welsh and Hawes.

"The Art of Beauty; or, the best Methods of Improving and Preserving the Shape, Carriage, and Complexion: together with the Theory of Beauty." The art of beauty! If beauty were an art, who in the name of heaven would not be beautiful? The title, however, is a striking one, and we have no doubt the book will sell. It contains lots of receipts for beauty, cosmetics, paints, &c. &c. Beauty training, too, is not forgotten; agreeably to which, young ladies are to walk three miles before breakfast, at a quick pace in the open air, and botanize by the way; then, after certain processes, which, as we cannot adopt the phraseology of the writer, we cannot describe, they are to eat broiled beef-steaks, or mutton chops, under-done, without fat, and drink some genuine Scotch ale; the forenoon to be spent in walking, or any other active amusement out of doors, such as gardening, nutting, romping, &c.;" dinner at two, These beautiful lines, from the pen of the the same as breakfast, not forgetting the late Rev. C. Wolf, seem to have aroused a Scotch ale; no vegetables, boiled meat, competition among composers, that would made-dishes, fruits, sweet things, or pastry justify our entertaining the hope of someallowed, excepting now and then, by way thing peculiarly excellent. If, however, of a treat, a mealy potatoe, or a little boil-such a hope arose, it was fallacious; and we No. 7.-Vol. II.

They left him to his Glory," by J. Emden.
-Goulding and Co.

"Not a Drum was heard," by J. Garnet.
—Goulding and Co.

"Soldier's Grave," by T. Williams.—Williams.

F