of Richter-the Fairy of the Lake, in which the fairy, floating in the air above the surface of the water, is shown reflected therein (a little too plainly perhaps) as in a mirror. An engraving of Lady Carrington is first in the number, after Lawrence, by Rolls. Now we hold that though the portraits of Lawrence in oil, be they of whom they may, are most desirable to possess, yet that this does not hold good of engravings of them. We find this year portraits of individuals in the Annuals of whom nobody knows any thing, engraved because the originals were painted by some celebrated artist. No portraits should be given, except of such persons as are known, at least by fame, to the readers of such works, or the majority of them. We have ladies of the court; literary ladies; and individuals of both sexes, at home and abroad, known by name in every town and village in the empire. From these portraits should be selected, if given at all. We have no doubt but the imagined patronage of the persons represented is looked to; but this can never be an object. We prefer the selection of engravings in the Winter's Wreath to any we have yet seen; and Ackerman's is equally judicious in the Forget-Me-Not. None but portraits generally interesting should ever be admitted. These are hints which we trust will be taken in good part by our friends. The Friendship's Offering has a strikingly beautiful engraving entitled The Embarkation; a very charming one by W. Finden from a picture by E. C. Wood, Expectation. The Greek Mother is very beautiful; and, though we do not much like the Dismal Tale, The Palace is a sweet Claude-like scene; and Myrhinna and Myrto, as well as the Prediction, fully support the deserved repute of this Annual. Mr. Pringle has evidently laboured to please, and we venture to say will not be disappointed in his expectations. His matter is all worthy perusal, a compliment we cannot pay every similar work in every year; and he annually improves. His contributions are fewer and more select; and he is therefore a deserved favourite.

The Forget-Me-Not, for 1832. Edited by F. SHOBERL. Ackerman. Mr. Ackerman's parent of the Annuals has, this year, appeared early in the field, and with no discredit to that clever judge of what is good in art. The plates are beautiful, and the subjects are selected with judgment and discrimination. As we hold that they are the glory of an Annual, it will not be doing justice to the reader to omit detailing them. The first engraving is The Triumph of Mordecai, by Martin, engraved by Finden; and if a specimen were demanded of the skill of the British graver, we might point to it with effect. The composition is charming, the disposal of the light and shade characterized by the hand of a master. It has all Martin's excellencies, with few of his defects. Don Juan is, in point of engraving, equally fine (by W. Finden); but the composition how unsatisfactory, compared to its predecessor! yet we scarcely know why, except that it is not the Don Juan of our imagination, nor his mistress either. Uncle Toby and the Widow, from Richter, by C. Rolls, displays in the female face much beauty, and is well engraved. Mariana is a charming portrait, after Lawrence, by Graves. The Thunderstorm, from J. Wood, by Finden, is well engraved, but we do not like the drawing of the figure. Toka on the Godavery, is a gem of art; the engraver, J. Carter. This plate alone is worth the price of the number. The Stage Struck Hero, from Kidd, by Engleheart, pleased us in the painting at Somerset-house; it is admirably thrown off. The Frosty Reception, from Buss, by Davenport; Mayence, a charming print, after Prout; The Disappointment, from Corbould, by Davenport; and La Pensée, by Mr. Hamilton, from Holmes, complete as beautiful a set of embellishments as Mr. Ackerman has ever favoured us with. In respect to the literary part, we have little room to say much. Mr. Shoberl has executed his task with credit. His contributors are less known than those in other Annuals, and this will doubtless form a source of attraction to his readers; but we have not yet done with Mr. Ackerman. His 66 Juvenile Forget-Me-Not" is before us; and though his title has been stolen, (for the "Forget-Me-Not" was fairly his own, and there is another in the market,) yet the beauty of his embellishments gives him a claim nothing can resist. We are not sure if they may not be styled too elegant for children's use; but when we recollect Lord Chesterfield's just observation, that "nothing is worth doing at all that should not be done well," we subscribe to Mr. Ackerman's judgment on the point.

The Juvenile Forget-Me-Not. Westley and Davis.

This publication, got up by Mrs. Hall, is in every respect creditable to her talents and industry. We have not space to analyse the contents, which seem well adapted for the amusement of childhood.

The Humourist; a Companion for the Christmas Fireside. By W. H. HARRISON. Ackerman.

This is a publication designed to amuse the Christmas Fireside. It is embellished with wood-cuts very well designed an executed but the allusions are

sometimes far-fetched. We cannot well say under what genus in literature this work is to be classed. It seems rather written for the wood-engravings, than from any suggestions of a humorous fancy, still less of wit. Such as it is, we commend it to our readers: some parts of it will raise a laugh, others will provoke a smile; but it too much reminds us of Hood's system of punning, with which it is by no means on an equality.

The Amulet. Westley and Davis.

This is another of the family of the Annuals, and contains eleven engravings, exclusive of what is called the presentation plate. We have elsewhere deprecated the introduction of portraits not universally interesting into these charming little works. A few ladies of fashion they may interest; but surely other subjects would be much more so to the public. In this Annual we have four, of which the Marchioness of Londonderry, from the beauty of the engraving, is that alone for which we would thank the conductors of the work. Hayter's picture of the Death of the First-born, by Greatbatch, is good; but we like Haydon's Death of Eucles better, from the graver of Sangster: it is a fine picture. The rising of the Nile is an imitation of Martin, without a tithe of his power: it is well engraved by Goodall. Corinna, from Gerard, by Goodyear, is a charming bit of engraving. We are at a loss to know what such a portrait as Sophia does among engravings so much its superior, unless it be as a foil. Venice, from Clarkson Stanfield, by Goodall, is a very sweet and charming bit of land, or rather waterscape. Pickersgill's Greek Girl is very well engraved by Fox. As a whole, the Amulet this year does not lose ground.

The Comic Offering; or Ladies' Melange of Literary Mirth, for 1832. By L. H. SHERIDAN. Smith, Elder, and Co.

Though this work has reached us at a very late period of the month, we cannot help giving a few lines of praise to Miss Sheridan, for her very quaint and humorous Annual, exhibiting no mean powers in the walk she has chosen, and conferring great credit on the variety of her schemes for the promotion of mirth. It is well worthy the reader's purchase, if only to show how innocently merry they may be made by an authoress, who, were Foote alive, would be disposed to enter the lists of wit with him. Where is Mr. Hood now-his gibes and flashes of merriment?" they are chopfallen before this lady, who seems to have driven him into a politic silence with his own weapons. To be beat by such an antagonist is, however, no great tax upon gallantry, for she bears herself most heroically, and we wish her the success she honestly merits.

The Magnet, and Periodical Review, for October, 1831. Groombridge. This is a neat little periodical, published monthly, at the low price of threepence. It is one of a class which will contribute, if it have a healthy constitution, to the spread of knowledge among that part of the community, which cannot spare from the food of the body wherewith to obtain food for the mind. The work is very creditably got up, and we trust will meet with success.

Roscoe's Novelist's Library, Vol. IV.-Peregrine Pickle, Vol. II. Cochrane and Co.

We notice these volumes as they appear because of the illustrations of George Cruikshank, which seem to gain in merit as the work proceeds. "The Tailors baffling the Bailiffs," is excellent. The head of one of the curs of the law is capitally given, peering in through the broken skylight. The tailors, though but half a dozen in number, and composing but two-thirds of a man in the whole, by aid of their shears completely discomfit their foes. The countenances are admirable. "The Magician" is good. "Hatchway's eagerness to meet Peregrine" is the same; but his " Experiment to rouse Peregrine" is a capital etching. There is so much in the genius of George Cruikshank in accord with the text of Smollett, that we are persuaded no similar union of talent has before been approached, in the embellishments these works have received in all their numerous editions to the present hour.

The Commercial Vade-Mecum. Allan and Co. Glasgow.

This is a neat little collection of tables for commercial persons. It is in what we believe is denominated sixty-fours, a very small size, yet it contains as much as a volume in 8vo. of 500 pages, though numbering but 288. It will be found a most useful pocket companion for the merchant and trader.

Curious Original Grants, to the Stirling Family, of the Canadas, Nova Scotia, &c. Pp. 47. Ridgway.

These Pamphlets relate to the extraordinary claims of the present Earl of Stirling to extensive territories in North America, comprising almost the whole of the British dominions in that quarter of the globe, and the greater part of the United States.

These claims, it appears, are founded on several charters granted by Kings James I. and Charles I. to Sir William Alexander, Secretary of State for Scotland, afterwards the 1st Earl of Stirling; which charters were confirmed by an Act of the Parliament of Scotland, in June, 1633.

Three of these charters with translations have likewise been published by Ridgway, to which are prefixed some Prefatory Observations by Mr. T. C. Banks, the well-known Author of the "Extinct Baronetage of England." Two of the charters relate to Nova Scotia, and one to Canada: the powers conferred by each are nearly equally extensive, and of the most unusual description.

The charters of James I. 1621, and of Novodamus of 1st Charles I. 1625, embrace Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward's Island, and Cape Breton Island: the latter charter is particularly curious, and we add a brief outline of its most important provisions.

After stating the causes of its being given, amongst which is "on account of the faithful and grateful services rendered and to be rendered by our well-beloved councillor Sir William Alexander, Knt, who at his own expense, the first of those of our own country, undertook the conducting of this foreign colony." This charter sets out in very precise language the boundaries of the country intended to be granted, I which shall in all times coming enjoy the name of Nova Scotia in America."

The grantee, his heirs and assigns, and their deputies, are appointed hereditary lieutenants-general, with power to establish such laws, statutes, constitutions, forms of government, &c. as to them should seem fit, "so as the said laws may be as agreeable as possible to the laws of this our kingdom of Scotland." Power is given of making and declaring war against invaders, and persons injuring the province, and of levying contributions for the supply of the necessary troops, and power of mint and coinage of any metal, fashion, and form. The province is erected into a free lordship and barony, which, for the purposes of taking Seism, is incorporated with Scotland. Powers of building cities, &c., of levying tolls and customs, and of building and endowing churches, founding universities, erecting dignitaries of the church, dividing the province into counties, &c. for the purposes of civil, government; and of instituting "places of justice and judicature," are given, with power of creating dignities and appointing officers of state. The grantee and bis heirs are made hereditary lieutenants-general, justices-general, high-admirals, lords of regality and admiralty, and high-stewards. Powers of granting parts or portions of the said lands and province to others are given, which grants the Crown engages to confirm.

Sir William Alexander is made Premier Baronet of Nova Scotia, with power to create similar baronetcies; but the number of the order is limited by the charter to 150. By the charter of 1621, which is confirmed by the one dated 1625, the very special privilege is given, that no appeal shall lie from the judgments given in any of the courts instituted by the grantee and his heirs.

The charter of 1628-9 embraces the Islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, including Anticosti, the Islands in the river of St. Lawrence to its source, and fifty leagues of country on both sides of the river, and of the lakes through which it passes to its source. The whole of this extensive country is granted to Sir William Alexander and his heirs, and is, it is declared, to be held by him with the same powers and privileges as are contained in the charters of Nova Scotia.

The present Earl of Stirling took an enfeoffment under these charters at the Castle of Edinburgh, in July 1831, by virtue of a precept from the Court of Chancery of Scotland, founded on the returns into that Court of the services of heirship, to the original grantee, gone through by his Lordship.

These claims are now, we understand, before the government; and we hear that the colonists are extremely anxious to know how they will be met, as all their titles are evidently in jeopardy.

The Anatomy of Society. By J. A. ST. JOHN. 2 Vols. 8vo. Bull. Though this work has been published some months since, we did not pass it over from any opinion that its deserts were of an inferior kind, but because it did not come in our way at the time of publication; and our hands were full of other books, that were taken because they came first before us. The author is an individual of

no small acquirements in literature, deeply imbued with a feeling for the writers of antiquity. He prefers dwelling among the spirits of old in imagination, to the realities of more recent times, and sometimes perhaps carries his predilections a little too far. What is left in the decay of ages uncorrupted, must needs have been the best part of antiquity. We see all therefore that is excellent; but the reverse of the medal is a sealed book to us. More recent times give us both sides, and we do not, in our contemplation of the good, overlook the evil. We think antiquity all excellent, and we image it something like perfection. We forget that human nature was ever the same; and we are led too much to disparage the moderns, because we do not permit ourselves to reason rightly upon the ancients. With some persons of this feeling, it is impossible to argue that, though in certain things the ancients left us behind, in others we have left them; and that the balance depends in philosophy, in the art of government, in science, in general knowledge to the side of the moderns. A single British frigate could rout the navy of Greece, and a few British regiments march to the gates of Rome. The ancients, great and glorious as they incontestably were, made the most of their achievements; yet the moderns, in self-devotion, in courage, in patriotism, would be found dangerous rivals. The poets sung in the noblest strains individual achievements, that even now would not be deemed very extraordinary efforts of bravery; and if we except the Fine Arts, which modern industry and invention can bring such a host of skill to balance, we shall not hesitate to allow that an extravagant admiration for the ancients can only arise from want of a proper, impartial, and deliberate examination of the claims of the two parties. We, in saying this, do not disparage the great names of Greece and Rome: Heaven forbid! nor do we desire to diminish one particle of rational fondness for them or for the works which have reached us belonging to them. On the ancients Mr. St. John has formed his rule of judgment, and by their rule he tries every thing :-perhaps after all we may have no better standard. All the essays in these volumes are classically and cleverly written. The first is on the Modes of Studying the World." His treatment of the subject is too dry for the taste of every-day readers, and is better adapted for the cultivated and refined. It is above the pitch of the readers of "fashionable novels and such miserable trash, and is not therefore adapted to please the multitude. Mr. St. John is a thinker; and most books which fall from the press for public amusement, in the present day, are written without thought. We agree with our author respecting conversation and reading, despite Plato and Montagne. The chapter entitled "Fortune and Power" is good. Differing from the Mode" pleases us. The "Education of Great Men" is not, to our seeming, sufficiently definite. But we have no space to go over each paper separately. When we say they are elegantly written, displaying a mind well imbued with learning, attached to the better parts of literary pursuits, and too refined for "the general," we say what we think these essays will prove. We have read none since Hazlitt's which have pleased us so well; but these are not of the deep metaphysical, paradoxical cast which distinguished that powerful writer. Mr. St. John's are more the offspring of reading than of abstruse or profound thought: they are evenly sustained, simple, and pleasing. They are well adapted for the young; we do not mean the very young, but those who are just on the verge of manhood: they will find them perspicuous, agreeable, and instructive reading; a little tinged with allusions to the excellencies of the ancients, but no more so than may serve the purpose of illustration, or vary the pleasing moral tone which is everywhere prominent in them.

Color Images in the Brain: being a Supplement to the Rationale of the Laws of Cerebral Vision, previously published. By JOHN FEARN, Esq. Longman and Co.

It is a curious fact in the history of physiology, that vision within the head has remained a department of science entirely conjectural, until the publication of the author's Treatise on Cerebral Vision, last year; although Sir Isaac Newton had strongly conjectured the existence of Color Images in the Brain during vision, and had actually tried experiments on the optic nerves, with a view to this subject. And the consequence of his not having found the clue to the desired phenomena, was the origin of the celebrated hypothesis of Bishop Berkeley, which has ever since prevailed, at the expense of Newton's philosophical reputation, that the ultimate, and only visual images, from which we perceive, are the inverted impressions on the retina; but which we, from early infancy, take the habit of interpreting as being erect, by making our perceptions of sight succumb to those of touch. The substance of the present Supplement to the Treatise above-mentioned was stated in a Paper presented by the author to the Royal Society, at their last meeting of which paper the Society has printed an abstract for the information of its own members. But other scientific quarters, to which the matter had been communicated, not having drawn the attention of philosophers to the subject; and more than a year having

been lost owing to awaiting the decision of the Royal Society, we have deemed it due to the subject, and we think to the curiosity of our readers, to announce it. With this view, we mention in particular the fact, that two half faces depicted on a card, nearly an inch asunder, with the ears preposterously toward each other; the one half face being seen with the left eye, and the other with the right, are transposed and reformed into a proper whole face. And, in like manner, a gold coin on the left side of the nose, and a silver coin on the right side, are seen with their images transposed to exchanged sides. In fine, the author lays it down as the demonstrated result of the Rationale and Supplement taken together, in the words which have been quoted from his paper in the abstract printed by the Royal Society, that "Over and above the gift of two external or cranial eyes, man has been, by his adorable Creator, endowed with an internal cerebral organ, which performs the office of a third eye, by being the common recipient of impressions propagated either from one or from both of the external eyes: and the mind, in her chamber of percipience, steers with regard to external objects by the same principle on which the mariner steers by his compass. Thus the two cranial eyes are analagous, in principle and situation, to two magnetic compasses, placed upon a ship's deck; while the third or cerebral eye corresponds to another compass, placed in the cabin below; and the mind, situated like the captain mariner in his cabin, knows, from consulting the cerebral eye, on what point of direction the body is steering; although the mind no more perceives either any external object, or yet any image in the cranial eye, than the mariner perceives (even in the vulgar sense of the word perceiving) the far-off land, or haven, toward which he is surely making his way.”

"What will the Lords do?" Pp. 33. 8vo. Ridgway.

This is a very clever pamphlet, which has gone through a great many editions, as it deserved to do. It is full of truth and fact; though the author in his opinion, that the Lords would pass the Bill, has seen that opinion falsified. Ten thousand, we are told, of this little brochure have been circulated, and we wish it had been fifty thousand. The arbitrary portion of our Aristocracy cannot be too early convinced of the truths it contains. The Bill has not passed the Lords: the majority, carried to its maximum by the interested portion of the borough-holders, has left no hope to the people of this country, but by a legal, firm, constitutional struggle against them, and an energetic support of the King and his Ministers. The author's character of the selfish arbitrary portion of the peerage is correct. It has no sympathy with the free or freedom, either British or Foreign. It has laboured for the last thirty years to abridge, as much as it was capable of doing, the liberty of the subject, and to stay the progress of knowledge; and however vain its attempts, enough is on record to show to the British people, that such a faction must neither in principle nor practice be suffered to prevail against them. No man should be without the present pamphlet. Its views are so just; its rapid sketches of the ignorance and assumption of the class of persons against whom it is levelled are so well drawn, we would have no one a stranger to them. As ignorant as they are obstinate, as heedless of consequences as they are presumptuous in their assumptions, they must be taught that resistance to the wishes of the country will end in discomfiture, and, that as they have brought on the contest with the people of England, with whom they have no sympathy, they will find, as they found in their obstinacy respecting East Retford, the meed forced from them will be proportionately greater, and therefore more to their misfortune.-Quos Deus vult perdere, prius dementat !

The Polish Revolutions of 1830, 1831; with Sketches of the Leading Characters, obtained from Authentic Sources: forming a Supplement to Fletcher's History of Poland. 8vo. 2s. 6d. Cochrane and Co. This is an opportune work, and adds considerably to the value of Fletcher's History of Poland. It contains accounts of the present population, superficies, sects, and statistics in general of that now enslaved country. Some portions of this pamphlet have appeared in the "Metropolitan;" but there is much additional matter well worthy perusal; and indeed the work itself is a record of a people, who have made one of the most heroic struggles which present or past history can furnish. The gallant attempt of the Poles to emancipate themselves from the despotism of Russia has failed; but the recollection that the Polish army throughout behaved with distinguished patriotism, and that their glory is unsullied, is something for the memory when the nation shall be free. It happens unfortunately for the despotic rulers of the continent, that to support their authority they must rely upon their armies. An army, to be capable of making a stand, must be officered by edu