So in half a jiffy, or less than that,
In her scarlet cloak and her steeple-hat,
Like old Dame Trot, but without her cat,
The gossip was hunting all Tringham thorough,
As if she meant to canvass the borough,

Trumpet in hand, or up to the cavity:
And, sure, had the horn been one of those
The wild rhinoceros wears on his nose,

It couldn't have ripped up more depravity! Depravity! mercy shield her ears! 'Twas plain enough that her village peers

In the ways of vice were no raw beginners; For whenever she raised the tube to her drum, Such sounds were transmitted as only come

From the very brass band of human sinners!

*

But this was nought to the tales of shame,
The constant runnings of evil fame,
Foul, and dirty, and black as ink,

That her ancient cronies, with nod and wink,
Pour'd in her horn like slops in a sink :

While sitting in conclave, as gossips do,
With their Hyson or Howqua, black or green,
And not a little of feline spleen

Lapp'd up in catty packages' too,

To give a zest to the sipping and supping; For still, by some invisible tether,

Scandal and tea are link'd together,

As surely as scarification and cupping; Yet never since scandal drank boheaOr sloe, or whatever it happen'd to be— For some grocerly thieves

Turn over new leaves

Without much amending their lives or their tea-
No, never since cup was fill'd or stirr'd

Were such vile and horrible anecdotes heard,
As blacken'd their neighbours, of either gender,
Especially that which is call'd the tender,
But instead of the sofness we fancy therewith,
As harden'd in vice as the vice of a smith.

Women! the wretches! had soil'd and marr'd
Whatever to womanly nature belongs;

For the marriage-tie they had no regard,
Nay, sped their mates to the sexton's yard

(Like Madame Laffarge, who with poisonous pinches Kept cutting off her L by inches);

And as for drinking, they drank so hard,

That they drank their flat irons, pokers, and tongs!"

We must quote the Moral of this clever satire on scandal-mongers:

:

"There are folks about town-to name no names-
Who much resemble that deafest of dames;

And over their tea, and muffins and crumpets,
Circulate many a scandalous word,

And whisper tales they could only have heard
Through some such diabolical trumpets."

The illustrative cuts by Hood and his friend Mr. Leech cannot be described, and must be seen in order to feel their point and language. When scanned as they are married to the letterpress, they speak with double power and emphasis. There is pun and fun in every one of them.

NOTICES.

ART. XVI.-Lights and Shadows of London Life. By the author of 'The Great Metropolis," &c. 2 vols.

WE have frequently been invited to notice Mr. Grant's popular works; for popular they are and will remain to be. We have not always trusted to his information; and may have sometimes deemed him self-confident beyond measure. He is either a careless writer, or perhaps it is the matter and not the manner that he is concerned about. But say what reviewers will, he is not a man to give over writing, and what is more, his books are sure to be read and widely circulated. Nay, we should be sorry were he to become in any degree daunted by what an irritable class may utter; for besides never being a dull author, never unentertaining, he communicates much that is useful and desirable on its own account. Where else, for instance, shall we find so much and so varied information concerning London and its marvellous features as in his numerous volumes? And now, as the "Lights and Shadows" convince us that he has so long laboured in this boundless field, he is not likely to encounter any competitor for its culture, or one who knows so well where to find its fertile spots.

These volumes may properly be characterized as a sequel to "The Great Metropolis," constituting not merely a worthy companion, but one with enhancing qualities, and, we think, in some respects of superior merit. The "Lights and Shadows" are numerous, cach striking in itself, and the whole judiciously blended. We need not strive to name them particularly. Quacks and quackery, for example, afford an unmistakable index to a copious subject. So do beggars and begging impostors: nor is the fecundity of such themes too great for Mr. Grants' handling; his tone being at the same time the reverse of sour, bitter, or malevolent. Indeed the testimony he bears with regard to the manner and extent of private almsgiv VOL. IV. (1841.) no. iv.

2 x

ing and charitable exertions, is gladdening, and furnishes a theme for heartiest gratulation.

There are, to be sure, many Shadows as well as Lights in London Life; and we cordially recommend these volumes to the Philanthropist, if he wishes to discover them; to the legislator, if he is desirous of dealing with them; and to the general reader, if he is inclined to study to advantage; and at the feet of a pleasant teacher, the chequered scenes of "The Great Metropolis."

ART. XVII.-The English Maiden: her Moral and Domestic Duties. AN agreeable volume in respect of subject and treatment. It contains addresses and counsels to woman in her various conditions. The style is serious as is the purpose of the writer, and the sentiments affectionate, sometimes touching. It is impossible for a female to consult the volume, whether she be single or married, without reaping benefit, if she be in search of good. A part of the work is intended for the direction of the fair during engagement. We must quote an anecdote which requires no

comment:

"Sir Robert Barclay, who commanded the British squadron in the battle of Lake Erie, was horribly mutilated by the wounds he received in that action, having lost his right arm and one of his legs. Previously to his leaving England, he was engaged to a young lady, to whom he was tenderly attached. Feeling acutely, on his return, that he was a mere wreck, he sent a friend to the lady, informing her of his mutilated condition, and generously offering to release her from her engagement. Tell him,' replied the noble girl, 'that I will joyfully marry him, if he has only enough of body left to hold his soul.'"

ART. XVIII.-The Songs of Charles Dibdin, chronologically arranged. Part I.

BESIDES being chronologically arranged, the edition is to contain the whole of Dibdin's twelve hundred songs, but which have never before appeared in a uniform shape, viz. those from the dramatic pieces, next from the monologue entertainments, and lastly from his miscellaneous works. The music of the best is introduced, with new accompaniments for the pianoforte. There are notes, historical, biographical, and critical. A memoir of the author is to be added: the whole extending to about ten Parts.

With regard to the speculation it is much to be commended. Dibdin was a genuine national writer in every sense. The literature, the music, the feelings and prejudices even of Englishmen found in him a hearty patron and example. He is without question the greatest sea-lyrical poet that ever lived. Who can calculate the influence which he has had in the history of our naval glory? Dear and welcome to the sailor were these effusions, cheering him in battle, yea and consoling him in captivity; tending also to refine, by the poetic halo which he threw around the profession, some of its rougher features. The specimen before us is handsomely got up; and altogether the work is deserving of extensive encouragement.

ART. XIX.-The Philosophy of Necessity; or, the Law of Consequences as applicable to mental, moral, and social science. By C. BRAY. Vol. I.

We shall be better able to pronounce an opinion of the "Philosophy of Necessity," when the more practical and important branch of the work comes before us; viz. the volume on social condition, such as that of the labouring and industrial classes, the means of amelioration, and other pressing subjects within the range of economics, reform, and government. The scope of the subject as indicated in the title of Mr. Bray's work is of vast extent, and therefore requiring not merely a large accumulation of knowledge, but a penetrating and independent mind. We cannot say that the present portion affords us any very strong grounds of hope that our author will be able satisfactorily to grapple with its more interesting branches. So far as he has gone, either upon the Philosophy of Mind or of Morals, which are the points discussed in Parts I. and II., and filling the first volume, we have discovered nothing that is new, or that is even remarkably profound and clear. He certainly is incapable of grappling, in the moral department, with the existence and uses of evil. Our opinion is that the subject is beyond the powers of any man; but why approach it at all, if nothing but what is trite can be adduced and urged? We however suspend judgment concerning the performance until it is wholly before us.

ART. XX.-Illustrations of the Tragedies of Eschylus and Sophocles, from the Greek, Latin, and English Poets. By J. F. BOYES, M.A. "WITH an Introductory Essay," says the title-page of our copy, but which is not to be found in it. The tragedies selected are "The Suppliants ;" "The Seven against Thebes ;" and "Prometheus Chained." The Illustrations present a great number of parallel passages, where coincidences of thought, if not imitation and borrowed ideas, are detected. We do not always see that the resemblance is remarkable; but a more striking proof of scholarship, and especially of extensive reading of the poets in sundry languages could not be adduced.

ART. XXI.-A Search into the Old Testament. By JOSEPH HUME. MR. HUME's design is to trace the claims of the Old Testament of being the Depository of Divine Communications; and he strives to silence sceptics by the proofs which internal evidence furnishes. But before he is likely to convince the infidel he must meet him on more neutral ground than that which he has chosen, or start with some admitted principles as well as facts common to both sides; otherwise his system of avoiding and overcoming difficulties will be objected to, and much of his superstructure regarded as fanciful. We ourselves believe that he has truth on his side; but we do not think he has marshalled the evidences of that truth in such a way as to silence a subtle unbeliever. His style, however, is firm, closc, and lucid.

ART. XXII.-The Bard, and Minor Poems.

By JOHN W. ORD.
Mr. Ord, we believe, is

THERE is one peculiarity about this volume. alive and active, yet these poems have been " Collected and edited by John Lodge." We strive not to account for the anomaly. With the exception of the Bard, the poems are as miscellaneous as can be; and although the themes are either too insignificant, or the manner of treatment too fugitive, to call for any particular notice, they are rhythmical, flowing, and sweet. The Bard is a juvenile production and is pleasant reading. The author appears from the first to have had a facility in the art of versification.

ART. XXIII.-Hours in Norway. Poems. To which is added, a Version of OCHLENSCHLAGER'S Axel and Valborg, a Tragedy. By ROBERT MEASON LAING.

THE original poems are above the average pieces of the day; they go sometimes beyond mediocrity, unless we are to a certain degree misled by the novelty of the scenes and subjects which the author has seized. The version of the Danish tragedy-that is, the very free translation, we presume, introduces events, supposed to have occurred many centuries ago. Insurmountable difficulties appear to stand in the way of the union of two lovers. Not only does religion but the sovereign's will intervene. Still the one is overcome by the Pope's dispensation, and the other by the generosity of the monarch. Yet, the drama ends tragically. The stirring attributes required, at least on the English stage, appear to be wanting in this piece. But there is much that is fine and profound in it.

ART. XXIV.-Rudolf of Varosny; a Tragedy. By J. A. BLACKWell. WHETHER founded on fact or not, the story, as told by Mr. Blackwell, is unsuited to the tragic drama; unless, indeed, its horrors be greatly subdued, and a poetic power be brought to bear upon it which our author assuredly does not possess. It may be true that a ruffian nobleman was his son's rival for a lady's hand; that he carried her off by force; that he was killed by that son, whom the law in consequence condemned; and that the fair one fell down dead on seeing the youth beheaded. But these horrors must not be exhibited and described as Mr. Blackwell has done.

ART. XXV.-The Life of Christians during the First Three Centuries of the Church.

THIS is one of the volumes of the Biblical Cabinet, and contains a translation of a series of Sermons by a German divine on the subject mentioned in the title. The work brings before us, with much feeling and verisimilitude, the manners and habits of the primitive Christians.

W. Tyler, Printer, Bolt Court, London.