special purposes, he continued some months longer in office. About this time Eartham, Hayley's well-known residence, came into Huskisson's hands. Dr. Gem had a heavy mortgage upon the estate, which, as his uncle's residuary legatee, fell to Huskisson, and of which he took possession as proprietor on the payment of a small additional sum.

On Mr. Pitt's return to power, Mr. H. was placed in the Treasury, from which he was again dismissed on his patron's death; and during the reign of the "Talents" was in active opposition, and a frequent debater. His activity and services replaced bim in the Treasury on the formation of the Portland ministry; but being now closely connected both by party and friendship with Mr. Canning, on that gentleman's resignation, on account of his squabbles with Lord Castlereagh, Mr. H. resigned too. This was a sacrifice to friendship scarcely called for by ministerial etiquette, and almost fatal to his political career, But he was steady in his determination, and resisted all attempts to detach him from his friend. He was in consequence out of office for five years, and in the interval many of his competitors got the start of him-he could never overtake Peel and Robinson. In the interval, however, he was not idle; he had ample opportunities of exhibiting his talents for business, first in the Currency questions, and next in the Corn Laws, and established permanently his reputation as an able debater--annoying poor Mr. Vansittart at every turn, and proving in his teeth the depreciation of his darling banknotes.

;

When Mr. Canning finally accepted the Lisbon embassy, all impediments to Mr. Huskisson's resumption of office were removed, and he accepted the Woods and Forests; but still took an active share in the general business of parliament. Canning's retirement on the Queen's affair was regarded by his friends entirely as a personal matter, and Mr. Huskisson, accordingly, did not again retire with him on the contrary he remained and justified the conduct of his party in prosecuting the odious trial. Lord Castlereagh's death brought back Mr. Canning again to office, and the consequence was, in a short time, Mr. H.'s advancement to the Board of Trade and the Treasurership of the Navy. In this position it was, that he was enabled to carry into execution those changes in the commercial policy of the country, which so unreasonably subjected him to the most revolting imputations. Yet he was not the originator of these changes. Mr. Wallace and Mr. Robinson had already relaxed some of the restriction-laws and paved the way for more. But he had made enemies with the agricultural interests, on the Corn Laws; for he had been one of the most conspicuous in throwing open the ports for the importation of corn. Till then the prohibitory system had been in full force-in 1815 the protective was substituted. Mr. Huskisson was never forgiven, and old calumnies and prejudices were raked up anew. When he attempted, in the same spirit, in his own department to throw open the silk trade, the agriculturists joined the clamour of the manufacturers, and for a season stopped the march of the new changes. But perseverance finally triumphed, and every year served only to confirm the solidity of his views, and the success of his measures. Yet he incurred the most deadly hatred, and was charged to his face with destroying the navigation laws, to which was owing all our naval and commercial superiority; and, in defiance of all warning and common sense, with ruining at a stroke trade, commerce, and shipping. But after all, what in fact had he done? By permitting the importation of silk, he half ruined the smugglers, but enriched the silk folks themselves, and augmented the public revenues. Double the quantity of silk was manufactured within a couple of years; and what was of more importance, such was the fillip and stimulus given to the trade, that English silks speedily rivalled the foreign in quality-a thing which had been always despaired of. In removing the obstructions to commerce did he not from beginning to end proceed on the principle of reciprocity ? If foreigners were relieved here--were we not also relieved with foreigners? No advantage was given, but where an equivalent was received. The shipping again was proved, by returns year after year, not to have decreased by Mr. Huskisson's measures-in spite of all the clamour with which the country rang. Mr. Huskisson was the advocate not of free trade, but of a protective system instead of a prohi. bitive one.

Free trade he knew the circumstances of the country could not admit; and he was too practical a man to meddle with mere Utopianism. But the world had been misled by names and phrases; and advantage was taken by political opponents to urge on a senseless cry-a cry which certainly checked the career of usefulness, though it could not utterly defeat it. Never were vindications more successful than those made by Mr. H. in his place; and the speech of May, 1827, may be appealed to as one of the most masterly refutations of malicious charges on record.

During Canning's short-lived supremacy, Mr. Huskisson still held the Board of Trade; but his own state of health compelled him to go to the continent, and before he could return his friend was dead. Lord Goderich gave him the Colonial Department, which he continued to hold under the Duke of Wellington, till his well known dismissal. These, however, are matters too fresh in the memory of every one to repeat. He was cut off, at a time when he was just surmounting the prejudices which had all along borne him down, and kept him below his natural levelat a time when all classes and all individuals, except those who never learn and never forget, were beginning to appreciate his merits as they deserved. He seemed destined for the first place, had he lived till Reform extinguished the oligarchy-a result, by the way, which may now be despaired of by quiet means.

Sketches in Spain and Morocco. By Sir ARTHUR DE CAPELL Brooke, Bart. M.A. F.R.S. &c. Author of "Travels to the North Cape of Europe," "A Winter in Lapland," &c. In two Vols. Colburn and Co. 1831.

A total absence of pretension in the style of these volumes, is in our eyes not one of its least merits, and we hail with satisfaction a work written evidently from first impressions, and in language that by some may be thought even negligently simple; as we are convinced that the faithful descriptions of actual scenes which travellers have witnessed, convey a much more interesting and vivid picture of countries, and the usages of their inhabitants, than the more elegant but laboured efforts of the merely learned traveller. But although there is no pretension in these Sketches to the character of a learned tour, yet the descriptions of interesting objects of antiquity, ruins, &c. &c. evince a mind well prepared and qualified for the difficult, laborious, and often dangerous task of a traveller. It is however in the delineation of every-day scenes and domestic life-the accidents by flood and field to which a traveller in such countries as Barbary and Spain is exposed, that our author particularly excels; and we have little doubt that the majority of readers will coincide with ourselves in preferring these details, to the more dignified and scientific researches that swell the bulk of many modern books of travels.

Sir Arthur de Capell Brooke left England by the Cadiz steam-packet; and his first landing in Spain was in that very beautiful city; to whose fair, or rather deep-brunette," inhabitants the baronet does at least justice, in our opinion. He proceeds from Cadiz, by Santa Maria, where he is present at a bull-fight, to Seville. Our limits do not allow of giving extracts of sufficient length to do justice to our author's talents of description, but we recommend the account of the bullfight at Puerto Santa Maria as very spirited and faithful. The mode of conducting the bull-fight differs from that observed at Madrid and some other places in many details, but the general features of all are much the same. We know of no exhibition that causes so intense a feeling of excitement as a bull-fight, witnessed for the first time. The real danger to the combatants is perhaps the foundation of this interest, although the courage and dexterity displayed of course contribute to it. The frequent repetition of the combat, however, is, to almost all but Spaniards, very irksome and monotonous; while the extreme and inexcusable cruelty of the whole art of" tauromachia," as it is entitled by its admirers, becomes each time that it is witnessed more apparent and disgusting. At least, such was our impres

sion.

We recommend to such of our readers as are curious on the important subjects

of the growth and qualities of the Xeres, or Sherry wine, the exact and copious details in chapter 5, vol. 1. Of the population, the following is not a very pleasing picture :

"I did not hear a very favourable character of the lower orders at Xeres; they being exceedingly quarrelsome, revengeful, and addicted to drinking, possessing at the same time the usual idleness and inactivity of the Andalusians. Such frequent use is made of their knives, that scarcely a week passes without some one being poniarded; and only two days before my arrival, three persons had been murdered in a drunken quarrel, by a single man, with his knife alone. The culprit was then in gaol, from which, if he had sufficient money to bribe the proper authorities, he would probably be liberated in a very short time. Justice is a commodity in Spain which, like many others, is bought and sold in the very face of open day. What shall we say of the state of that country and the existing government, when every post and office is filled by the most corrupt persons, who care only about enriching themselves during the short time they know they shall remain-when a pillage is going on in every department, and scarcely a tenth part of the revenues collected finds it way into the treasury of the state-when crime goes unpunished, and it is as notoriously easy to bribe a judge as it is to pass a whole ship's cargo of prohibited goods through the custom-house itself-in short, when distress and misery pervade, and when all classes of the community are at the mercy of lawless ruffians, emboldened by the laws not being carried into execution? Such is the state of unhappy Spain."

That a traveller does not get on quite as easily in many parts of Spain as on a Macadamized mail-coach road in England, is generally known; but the mountainpasses are often, as we have experienced, no laughing matter. The descent of the pass of La Trocha he thus describes :

"The path, immediately on leaving the summit, rapidly descends by a steeplyinclined ledge, about a yard in width, and touching upon the open precipice which yawns below. The difficulty of the descent is increased, not only by the narrowness and steepness of the path, but by its being incumbered with loose-rolling stones, on which our animals were occasionally obliged to place their feet for want of sufficient room. It was admirable to observe their caution, and how sensible they seemed of the dangerous situation they were in, as one false step would have carried them down without a single interruption into the valley, which is seen below at a fearful distance. I had never before seen, much less ventured down, so precipitate a descent. In some places we found the path, which in the rainy season serves as a channel for the torrents, so completely blocked up by large stones and fragments of rock, that even if the ground had been level, a passage would have been difficult."

We fully sympathized with Sir Arthur in being much struck by the extraordinary change in the appearance of every surrounding object, that passing the narrow strait between Gibraltar and the African coast produced :

"Cockney travellers, on passing from Dover to Calais, are oftentimes pleased to manifest their wonder at the marvellous alteration exhibited to their eyes. The person, however, who for the first time exchanges the shores of Europe for those of Barbary, may well be allowed to express his feelings of surprise at the new and extraordinary scene so suddenly presented to his view. A very few hours' sail has carried him from Europe to the vast and mysterious continent of Africa-from the midst of civilization into barbarism; and from being surrounded in the morning by Christians, he finds himself in a crowd of Mahometans. The order of things is completely reversed, and every object appears to him novel and strange in the highest degree. The change is indeed so striking, that you may almost imagine yourself to have been transported at once to Timbuctoo, so wretchedly barbarous and so truly African does every thing appear to the eyes of the Christian stranger."

Most readers will perhaps consider that part of this work which relates to Barbary, as the most interesting portion of it. A country so near, and so little known, and which, as our traveller hints, might become so highly important and useful to our own in the way of colonization or increased trade, must necessarily be interesting to every inquiring mind. The occupation of Algiers by the French may possibly give rise ultimately to a moral and political revolution in the northern parts of Africa, that may render her immense resources of fertility, climate, and mineral productions, more available for the interests of the world than is at present con

templated by the most sanguine theorists, The hints thrown out on this subject are at least worthy of consideration,

The general character that our author gives of the Moors is far from estimable ; yet he allows the Sultan full credit for resisting the tempting offer of the Spanish government, of a frigate, as a bribe to deliver up some of the unfortunate victims of misgovernment, who have found a surer asylum from the "Rey Absoluto" in the Emperor of Morocco's dominions, than perhaps would have been afforded them in Gibraltar.

On the whole, the dangers of travelling in most parts of Spain appeared to us decidedly greater than those encountered by a protected traveller in the dominions of the Emperor of Morocco. The risk of robbery is certainly much greater in Spain, with almost a certainty of being murdered in case of resistance.

But our limits do not allow of our making further extracts from these very enter. taining volumes. To the occasional inaccuracies of style we have alluded. In the extracts that we have given, which may be taken as fair specimens of the general language of the work, some of them may be found. Wherever Spanish names and words occur, sufficient attention has not been paid to the orthography; as Calle d'Alcala for Calle de Alcala, Fontana d'Oro for de Oro, Ronda for La Ronda, &c. The description of the Diligence in vol. 11. chap. 9. does not, in our opinion, at all do justice to the state of the Spanish public conveyances. We found the Spanish Diligences almost invariably much superior to the French, on easier springs, and better built. The rate of going, also, is much better than in France, with eight or ten mules always ready at the different post-houses; as it is a royal company, and well-organized, and every day undertaking new lines of road and adopting improvements in arrangement. We thought the establishment of Diligences one of the most important and promising for the internal improvement of the Peninsula, that we observed. The mayoral and gagal would probably be much affronted at being designated as "peasants in attendance on their cattle" (vol. II. p. 265.); although their modes of dress and driving are certainly very unlike either those of the jackbooted Frenchmen, or the dapper post-boys of Mr. Newman.

It would be very convenient to the reader, if travellers generally were to mention more frequently the dates of their arrival and departure from the various places that they pass through; a running marginal notice of the year, month, &c. would be a great improvement in many cases. Sir Arthur Brooke has neglected to furnish dates of any sort in many parts of his " Sketches;" and although he left England in the "month of July," it is not easy to ascertain, without referring to circumstances incidentally mentioned, in what year these travels were begun or completed.

First Lines on Zoology. By ROBERT MUDIE. Whittaker and Co. This is a most useful and excellent little work, adapted to the capacity of the young, and forming one of that class of works which the present improved taste of the times has produced to render the elements of science of any acquirement to the uninitiated. It appears to be compiled with much care by one who possesses a knowledge of the science of which he treats, and it is neatly embellished with engravings, which answer every purpose to the eye of the beginner.

Practical Observations on Prolapsus of the Rectum. By FREDERICK SALMON, F.R.C.S. 8vo. Whittaker and Co.

This is the first work we have met with which treats solely of the disease in question. Mr. Salmon's practice enables him to describe and advise upon it with just claims to priority over numerous surgical practitioners. The frequency of this painful and often dangerous affection renders a right understanding in its mode of treatment imperious on operators. The book is one of great and evidently utility, and is marked by sound sense and a perspicuity which renders it doubly valu able.

The terrible fate of Mr. Hill, of the Ordnance Department, mentioned in vol. 1. chap. 14. is a sufficient exemplification of the treatment which awaits unauthorized travellers, in the present state of these countries.

Humphrey Clinker-Roderick Random. Vols. I. and II. of ROSCOE's Novelist's Library, illustrated by George Cruikshank. Cochrane and Co.

Cruikshank is certainly the most original artist of the day, at least in point of inventive faculty. His designs, always pregnant with humour of the raciest kind, are ever variable and delightful. The illustrations of the novels of Smollett and Fielding are peculiarly adapted to his pencil, and, combined with the cheapness and bulk of the volumes before us, render them invaluable to every library. The etchings in Roderick Random are if possible better than those in the preceding volume→→→ the spirit of caricature which pervades the author is happily transferred in the contest with Weazle, Strap's fright at the Raven, and his misfortune in the dining cellar. The bumpkins in the barn is very good. This is by far the most desirable edition of these novels extant.

The Menageries. Quadrupeds. Vol. II. C. Knight.

This is one of those works published by "The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge." It is adorned with wood-cuts of the various animals described, and is copious rather than concise in its details. On the whole it is a highly useful and interesting volume,

Tour through South Holland.

The Family Library, No. XXIII. Murray.

Embellished by views from the pencil of Lieut. Col. Batty, this volume of Mr. Murray's Library comes out at a most opportune period. The greater part relates to Belgium, which is at this moment a country of high political interest; and it displayed a proper tact in the publisher to bring it out at such a time for the general gratification. The views are neatly engraved, and with this volume, either as a guide abroad in the country described, or to afford information at home, the reader will find himself equally gratified.

Divines of the Church of England. Jeremy Taylor, Vol. II. Valpy. Juvenal and Persius-Family Classical Library, No. XIX. Valpy. Thucydides-Family Classical Library, No. XX. Valpy.

We have here before us the second volume of Jeremy Taylor's sermons, upon the appearance of which work we have already congratulated our readers and Mr. Valpy. We peruse them with admiration and delight: this divine, we are convinced, was never too highly spoken of, even by those who mingle no small degree of enthusiasm with their admiration. The Persius is by Sir William Drummonda spirited and correct version, and, with the Juvenal, forms a portion of a most desirable series of republications. The translation of Thucydides, by Smith, is a faithful one; and the great historian will now be in every hand, in the English tongue, and his details familiar to all.

The Fourteenth Annual Report of the American Society for colonizing Free People of Colour of the United States. Washington, 1831.

We received to our surprise the other day the foregoing report, and, what was still more extraordinary, two numbers of a newspaper printed at the AmericoAfrican colony of Monrovia, West Africa, at the town of Liberia, Cape Mesurado. The Americans formed this colony with philanthropic views, and it seems likely to answer their expectations. The climate is as salubrious as any on the coast of Africa, and is not found formidable to the natives of the southern states of America; though to those of the northern it is as fatal as to Englishmen. Inhabited princi pally by free people of colour, the fever is very limited in its effects, and the mor. tality, compared to our own Sierra Leone, literally nothing. A society has been formed in the United States, called the African Education Society, for instructing the children of people of colour before they proceed thither, and it has met with success. The colony itself is doing well, as well as the warmest philanthropist can hope; and liberated slaves are sent thither from the southern states of