'Twas hers to seek the haunts of death,
And seek those haunts alone;

She once had shared her joys, but now
Her griefs were all her own!

She once amid the joyous throng
Was light as any there,

But now those joys were fled, and she
Was left a prey to care.

Farewell! lone mourner, though thou hast
Nor friend nor lover near,

Thou hast and it is all that I
May give--A Stranger's Tear!

EVENTS OF THE MONTH.

The most important, as well as the most pleasing incident of the past month, at least as far as this country is concerned, is, without question, the termination of the Kafir war. We have had many false rumours respecting this long wished-for event during the last eighteen months, but the intelligence upon the present occasion places the matter beyond all doubt. The most famous of the Kafir chiefs, the Abd-el-Kader of Southern Africa, has submitted to the British General. Sandilli has laid down his arms and consented to the terms proposed by General Cathcart. The mountainous region of the Amatolas which, on the present occasion has been the principal scene of conflict between the contending parties, has been finally evacuated by our barbarous enemy, and it is now, we presume, intended to be transformed into an effective barrier against them in all time coming. We fear that these necessary measures of precaution will entail considerable expense. The Kafirs are a bold, restless, thieving race, and the farther they are driven back into the wilderness the more reckless are they likely to become. We fear, therefore, that for some time to come we shall be obliged to keep a large military force at the Cape. In the meantime we trust that no time may be lost in organising upon an effective and permanent footing the old colonial militia, which in times past proved a sufficient safeguard of the settlers, without the presence of a regular force upon the frontier. The old Dutch system of defence was admirably adapted to the peculiar exigencies of the colony, and so long as it existed we heard nothing of Kafir wars, with their attendant bloodshed and enormous cost. For these, during the last twenty years, our colonial authorities at home, and our orators at Exeter Hall, are jointly responsible. We trust, however, that our dearly-purchased experience will teach us in future to eschew the precepts alike of red tapists and pseudo humanitorians. We have squandered many millions, and thrown away thousands of valuable lives, in obedience to their theories. We must take experience for our guide if we would avoid such deplorable results in future.

The intelligence from the seat of war in Burmah is less satisfactory. Our progress still continues slow, and our losses in proportion to that progress have been large. The only positive result of our contest in that quarter has been the annexation of Pegu to our Eastern Empire. This fact was announced ten days ago, by the President of the Board of Control, in the House of Commons, in reply to a question from Mr. Cobden. Of the policy of this important step, it would be premature as yet to pronounce any opinion, but we may observe that these periodical accessions of territrry to our dominions in the East, seem to be the result less of choice than of necessity. We cannot stop now if we would, in our career of conquest.

Looking still further to the eastward, we may find ample food for speculation in the progress of the great rebellion which now threatens to upset the Tartar dynasty at Pekin, and perhaps restore the ancient race of sovereigns to the celestial empire. According to the latest intelligence, the future fate of China appears to hang on the issue of the next battle which takes place between the rebel forces and

the main army of the Emperor, which was advancing to meet them. In any case, Lord John Russell tells us we are to remain neutral in the contest. We hope we may, but we do not believe we shall, despite the emphatic declaration of his lordship. At all events we always have had a remarkable tendency to embroil ourselves in other people's quarrels, and we fear we always will, in spite of Lord John's philosophy, and the tracts of the Peace Society. Meanwhile, fears begin to be entertained regarding our future supplies of tea, in consequence of the distracted state of the Chinese empire, and it is feared that the consumer may not derive all the advantage which was anticipated from the reduction of duty which formed one of the most popular features of Mr. Gladstone's budget. These, however, are mere matters of conjecture. The intelligence which we possess, both as to the progress of the rebellion, and its results upon the industry and commerce of our celestial allies, is far too vague and scanty to enable us to come to any practical conclusion on these interesting subjects.

In Europe the interest of politicians is at present fixed upon Constantinople. A crisis is evidently at hand, and the fate of Turkey may depend upon the issue. That matters are not going on quite smoothly, we may guess from the fact that two men-of-war were suddenly ordered off from Spithead, on the 20th of last month, to strengthen the Mediterranean fleet. The language of the Russian ambassador at the Porte, is said to have been of an unprecedentedly menacing description, and this circumstance, coupled with the alleged warlike preparations on the shores of the Black Sea, have given rise to various alarming rumours. It is, indeed, very evident that the Ottoman power in Europe is waning fast, and that it is a hopeless expedient to attempt to uphold it for any time by means of external aid. Our operations in Syria, twelve years ago, had the effect of checking the progress of the rebellious Pasha of Egypt, who, at that time, threatened to subvert the throne of his sovereign; but the independence of the Porte is now threatened by a far more formidable adversary, and it will soon become a matter of most serious debate, whether we ought again to interfere, by force of arms, to prop up the tottering throne of the Sultan. A few weeks will probably decide this knotty question. In the meantime it is satisfactory to learn that the diplomatists of England and France are acting in concert, and if they continue to do so, we believe we may anticipate a satisfactory solution of the Eastern difficulty.

The protracted visit of the King of Belgium and his son to Germany, and their cordial reception both at Berlin and Vienna, have given rise to various warlike surmises, and the French funds have in consequence undergone considerable fluctuations during the past month. The proposed revival of the punishment of death for political offences has probably contributed to this result. We cannot but remember that on two memorable occasions the present ruler of France owed his life to the circumstance that the law of treason existing in France during the monarchy was not put in force against him. The unpopularity with which the project has been received, need not, therefore, surprise us. Indeed, since the confiscation of the Orleans property, nothing has tended so much to injure Louis Napoleon in public estimation. It is, moreover, a confession of weakness, the display of which, to say the least of it, is highly impolitic.

While we write, it is intimated that the ultimatum of the Russian ambassador has been rejected by the Sultan, and grave apprehensions are entertained of the results. According to one rumour, Prince Menschikoff had quitted Constantinople, and the French fleet was preparing to enter the Black Sea. We trust thas both of these rumours will prove unfounded, and that, through the joint efforts of the representatives of England and France, peace may still be preserved.

During the month the business of Parliament has made but little progress. Although the budget, "as a whole," is reckoned safe, it has still to run the gauntlet of a host of amendments. Both the opposition and the ultra-liberal party are dissatisfied with the non-discriminating principle which Mr. Gladstone refuses to infringe in the slightest degree. This obstinacy on the part of the Finance Minister may lead to unpleasant consequences. It certainly has occasioned an amount of delay in the progress of the measure which would not otherwise have occurred, and it is quite possible that it may lead to Ministerial defeats. Only one of those awkward occurrences, however, has taken place during the present month, on the question of the inspection of nunneries. Although not upon a vital question, it was defeat, nevertheless, and such incidents must necessarily weaken any administration, whatever amount of ability may be possessed by its individual members.

After the income-tax is settled, the Legacy Duty Bill remains to be discussed, and this will necessarily raise the whole question as to the alleged unequal pres

sure of taxation on the land. During the long controversy which preceded the abolition of the Corn Laws, it was strenuously contended by their advocates, that the land was fairly entitled to protection on account of its peculiar burthens. The land, according to these authorities, paid the tithe, the poor rates, the highway rates, the county rates, and the church rates; and, until the rest of the community chose to share these burthens with the owners and occupiers of the soil, the latter had a fair claim to compensation in some shape or other. So said the advocates of the Corn Laws, and, after the lapse of seven years, we shall hear the same arguments repeated in reply to the projected extension of the legacy duty to real estate. We can only say that, if the landholders can establish a good case, they will be entitled to the exemption which they claim; but we strongly doubt their ability to do so.

In the meantime it is unfortunate for the prestige of the coalition cabinet, that its financial measures have hitherto proved singularly unsuccessful. The period for the issuing of Mr. Gladstone's new Exchequer Bonds has expired, and the plan may be said to have fallen still-born on the money market. The daily return was nil throughout nearly the whole period allotted fer the negotiation of these new securities. The conversion of the South Sea stock has hitherto proceeded at an equally slow rate, and as the period for effecting the proposed exchange will very shortly expire, we may assume that this part of the financial scheme has also entirely failed. We fear that these untoward circumstances will be turned relentlessly against the Chancellor of the Exchequer by his accomplished predecessor—the leader of the opposition.

Much curiosity has been evinced to ascertain the nature of the forthcoming India Bill. Meetings, influentially attended, have been held in London, Manchester, and Bristol, for the purpose of effecting a complete reform of the Indian government. Nothing less will satisfy these reformers than the complete and final abolition of the Court of Directors, and the transference of the whole administration of Indian affairs to a minister and council directly amenable to Parliament. It is just seventy years ago since Fox proposed a similar measure, as the colleague of Lord North; but the attempt was fatal to the coalition ministry of that day. We draw no augury from this circumstance as to the fate either of Lord Aberdeen's cabinet, or of their plan for the future government of India. But it is possible that it may experience a much more formidable opposition than the Budget has encountered. A union between the Derbyites and the Radicals would of course prove fatal to the measure, and probably to its authors.

The opening of the Dublin exhibition has attracted many visitors to the Irish capital, and the progress of the experiment has hitherto proved highly successful. A novelty of a different kind will prove the chief point of interest on this side of the channel during the present season. The camp now in process of formation on Bagshot Heath, and which is destined for the accommodation of ten thousand troops, will no doubt be visited by myriads who have never before had an opportunity of witnessing a display of this exciting kind. A succession of fashionable fetes is spoken of in connection with this martial gathering, which will doubtless prove the distinguishing feature of the season of 1853.

Literary Latices.

The History and Manufacture of Boots and Shoes. By J. SPARKES HALL.—T. DAY. Ir was well remarked by an ingenious German, just about a century since, when the "art" of shoemaking, whether as regarded shape, workmanship, or material, had reached a profound bathos of clumsiness and barbarism, that there was something inconsistent in the extent to which scientific experiment had been expended in obtaining the best means for protecting the feet of horses, mules and oxen, whilst the human foot was left to "take its chance," the victim of that obstinacy which, amongst certain classes of tradespeople, was usually found to exist in proportion to ignorance. "What should be defences to our feet," observed Camper, serve only to deform our toes from infancy, to generate corns, and to lame us for life. We compassionate, with reason, the fate of the Chinese women, whose feet are dislocated by adherence to barbarous custom, yet we cheerfully adopt, from age to age, a confinement not less cruel." Amongst the mechanical improvements,

conducing to ease, health, and comfort, for which the last quarter of a century has been distinguished, not the least important are those whereby our feet have been, in some measure, relieved from the cruel and mutilating imprisonment which was formerly regarded as "treatment good enough for them," and been treated by the rules of reason and good sense. Öf these improvements a concise and interesting description is given in the little work before us, which contains the substance of one of the lectures delivered by the author at the request of the Council of the Society of Arts. Mr. Hall himself has acquired much eminence and celebrity by the signal success of his plans for imparting gracefulness and healthfulness to pedestrian exercise--for invigorating the lower limbs, and banishing the plague of corns, weak ancles, crippled toes, awry nails, and similar inconveniences. His lecture is not a mere recapitulation of technical details; it is a well written piece of history—an epitome of everything interesting in connection with the subject, and carrying its inquiries from the very earliest period through the infinite varieties of fashion and modulation which have followed each other in the lapse of ages. An admirable series of engravings explain and illustrate the letter-press.

The Young Wife's Guide during Pregnancy and Child-birth, and in the Management of her Infant. By HENRY DAVIES, M.D.-H. G. BOHN.

THE subject embraced by this work touches some of the most important matters relating to the health and welfare of families. Self-management, during the most critical period of her life, is merely that species of information which every woman ought to possess, but from which one of the absurd and mischievous superstitions of false delicacy has hitherto virtually excluded her. Not less desirable is it that, independent of constant recourse to "the doctor," she should have some trustworthy guide in the daily and hourly cares which young children require. Amongst all the books which have come under our notice, we do not remember one which so completely fulfils this purpose as Dr. Davies's. It is, in the first place, free, as it ought to be, from those abstruse technicalities by the acccumulation of which some learned gentlemen imagine that they display a very redoubtable amount of erudition, but which, unfortunately, serve for the most part merely to mystify and thoroughly disgust the unprofessional reader, and to deprive their productions of all value as text-books for general reference, or for consultation in sudden emergencies. And while such cumbrous intricacies are judiciously eschewed, the author, it appears to us, has omitted no single point of real utility. We can scarcely conceive any set of circumstances peculiar to the condition of a young wife and mother, in which this work will not be found a comforter, a supporter, and a faithful adviser. It combines the qualities of scientific precision and popular perspicuity, and rejecting everything superfluous, or merely ostentatious, condenses into a small compass an amount of sterling information for which the fair sex in general have reason to feel grateful to him. This is essentially a woman's book, which no mother, or expectant mother, should be without.

Nelly Armstrong. A Novel. 3 Vols.-BENTLEY.

THE apparent design of this tale is beyond question good and laudable. A young girl, reared up in the rigid seclusion of a Puritan family, is brought by certain circumstances into contact with the gay scenes of the world, to her great tribulation and misfortune. We dare say the author intends her example as a warning to young women to avoid the beginnings of temptation. Very good. But it may be a question whether the reaction caused by the sudden (and sometimes unavoidable) transition from rigour to its reverse may not involve danger as trying as any that can beset those who by mixing a little (under careful superintendence) amongst the publicans and sinners who, alas! form the infinite majority of mankind, acquire at least a slight preliminary knowledge of the nature of some of the perils which beset youth and inexperience. Extreme ignorance is undoubtedly the worst possible guardian of innocence; yet some people appear to think that these two very distinct and different predicates are identical. The book is vigorously and * nervously written.

The Book of the Garden. BY CHARLES M'INTOSH.-BLACKWOOD and SONS. THE great experience and information of Mr. M'Intosh enable him to do the most ample justice to his subject. The style is concise and simple, while the illustratrations are so admirably executed that any lady or gentlemen may easily obtain a sufficient amount of information to be able to form landscape designs. When

the Encyclopædia of Gardening was published by Loudon, some thirty years ago, a great improvement was apparent throughout the country, and we have no doubt that equally beneficial results will follow the appearance of this highly finished class book, which, when completed, we have no doubt will form a national exhibition of industry and skill. The author, as will be inferred from his name, is a native of Scotland, where every branch of Horticulture is prosecuted with energy and success. For nearly thirty years the author has been in eharge of the gardens of the King of the Belgians at Brussels, and latterly of the Duke of Buccleuch. In modern times the people among whom gardening has most flourished are the Dutch, the French, and the English. The styles of the two former very much resemble each other, and are both characterised by a highly-artificial symmetry and by an abundance of minute decoration. The English, or natural style, cannot be said to have been completely established even in this country until about the commencement of the last century. It has since found many admirers in every civilised nation, and among ourselves no one has, in recent times at least, ventured to express a doubt of the correctness of the principles on which it is founded. In largely conforming to nature, it is very far from excluding the resources of an elaborate art, or the inevitable accompaniment of a vast pecuniary cutlay. On the contrary, it can only be adopted with full effect when spread over a wide extent of surface, and carried out with an amount of skill and care which a princely fortune can alone command. The gardens and parks which surround the great mansions of England may be regarded as forming one combined system of cultivation, which must, on the one hand, supply, by means of its more artificial operations, all the deficiencies of our stinted sunshine and fickle skies; and must on the other hand, open with a lavish magnificence the undulating and richly-wooded earth to the play of the wild free winds.

The present volume comprises only the "structural" portion of Mr. M'Intosh's book, or, in other words, it treats merely of the "formation and arrangement" of gardens of every kind. The second volume, which will form the "practical" division of the work, will be devoted to the culture and management of the gardens which we are here taught to construct.

An Abridgment of Blackstone's Commentaries, intended for the use of Young Persons, in a Series of Letters from a Father to his Daughter. By the late Sir J. EARDLEY WILMOT, Bart., &c. &c. A new edition, corrected, &c., by his Son, Sir J. EARDLEY WILMOT, Bart., Recorder of Warwick.-London: LONGMAN and Co., 1853.

AN attempt is here made to convey a clear and defined notion of the leading principles of the laws of England, not only to the minds of general readers, but also to those of young persons. Such a work, if well executed, must be highly prized, and should be in the hands of every one who desires a general acquaintance with this very important subject, without intending to study the subject professionally. Both the author and the present editor have executed their task in the most commendable manner; and while the work is one of real value for the knowledge it affords, it is wholly free from those technicalities which might deter many from entering on the subject of it. It is moreover written in an elegant style, and the various recent alterations effected in the different departments of our legal code are carefully and accurately noted. None can peruse this little work without profit, and to the majority of readers it will also prove highly interesting.

The Fall of the Roman Republic. By C. MERIVALE, B.D.-LONGMANS. MR. MERIVALE has conferred a great boon, not only upon younger students, but also upon the general class of readers, by this little volume. The introduction to the author's larger work on the History of the Roman Empire, contains in detail the annals of the period preceding the battle of Actium, the present work gives a condensed history of one of the most interesting centuries of Roman history, namely, that in which liberty perished and the Republic crumbled away. The reader will trace in these pages how Roman ambition and lust of conquest became gradually more unscrupulous; how the corruption of private and public morality kept pace with one another; how the deadly and fatal disease spread through the constitution, and at length tyranny was established on the ruins of liberty just at the moment when Rome became totally unfit for the enjoyment of freedom. We are glad to see that Mr. Merivale has consulted in this work the striking and spirited lectures and studies of the French historians, Durny and Prosper Mesioneè.