Art. X. Old Friends in a new Dress; or Select Fables of Esop, in Verse. Third Edition: to which is now added a Second Part. 12mo. London. 1826.

ΤΗ HE first eight and forty Fables in this pleasing little collection, were published many years ago in three small books, price one shilling each; a circumstance which will account for their not having caught our notice. Mrs. Trimmer is stated to have recommmended them strongly in her Guardian of Education,' and Mr. Lindley Murray speaks of the volume as the best publication he had seen of the kind. It has been the Author's object, to present the fables selected, in a simple and unadorned style, and in easy verse, with a view to their being committed to memory. For this purpose, we think them very well adapted, in proof of which our readers shall be favoured with two specimens taken at random

The eagle with strength soars above;
You are noted for gracefully walking;
Sweet innocence pictures the dove,

And the parrot is famous for talking.

"For music the nightingale's known,
That quality only possessing;
And thus I think clearly is shewn,
You all have a different blessing.
This truth then must forcibly strike,
That just as you value and use it,
You may all be content if you like,
Or may all be unhappy who choose it.""

THE FOX AND THE LION.

'When Reynard first the Lion saw,
He trembled like an aspin;
Panted for breath, and, struck with awe,
Upon his back lay gasping.

• When next he met the royal beast,
So far from being scared at him,
He was not frightened in the least,
But really stood and stared at him.

The third time that he came in view,
Assured, and rather bolder,

He ran and said, " Sir, how d'ye do?"

And slapped him on the shoulder.

Said he, "friend Reynard, thrice you've erred,
You bashful, bold, and rude one!"

Now, though 'tis short, upon my word,

This fable is a good one.'

The volume contains 116 fables. The only fault we are disposed to find with them, is, an occasional diffuseness, owing to which, their average length somewhat exceeds the limits of an easy task. In point of humour, these fables must not be compared with Esop in Rhyme; still less will they admit of being ranked with Mrs. Wolferstan's admirable translations from La Fontaine; but the volume amply fulfils its modest pretensions, and will be a very acceptable present to young persons.

ART. XI. SELECT LITERARY INFORMATION.

The Rev. H. F. Lyte, Author of The Savoyard and other poems, (an interesting volume which must be in the recollection, if not in the possession of our regular readers,) has in the press, "Tales in verse, illustrative of the Lord's Prayer."

In the press, and speedily will be published, A Practical Grammar of the French Language, illustrated by copious Examples and Exercises, selected from the most approved French Writers; designed for the use of Schools

and Private Students. By J. Rowbo tham, Author of a German Grammar, &c., and Master of the Classical, Mathematical, and Commercial Academy, Walworth.

In a few days will be published, Sophia de Lissau; or a Portraiture of the Jews of the Nineteenth Century; being a minute delineation of the Religious and Domestic Habits of this most interesting Nation; with Explanatory Notes. By the Author of Elizabeth Allen, or the Faithful Servant.

ART. XII. LIST OF WORKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED.

BIOGRAPHY.

Memoirs and Poetical Remains of the late Jane Taylor. By her Brother, Isaac Taylor. 2 vols. 12mo. Second Edition. 12s.

Memoirs of the Rev. Stephen Morell, late of Norwich. By T. Binney. 12mo. 65.

FINE ARTS.

The Portable Diorama; consisting of Romantic, Grand, and Picturesque Scenery, with the necessary apparatus for producing the various effects of Sunrise, Sunset, Moonlight, the appearance and disappearance of Clouds, the Rainbow, &c. on the principle of the Diorama in Regent's Park: accompanied with an entirely new work, illustrated with plates, entitled the Amateur's Assistant; or, a series of Instructions in Sketching from Nature, the Application of Perspective, Tinting of Sketches, Drawing in Water Colours, Transparent Painting, &c. The whole intended as a stimulus to young persons in the pursuit of a delightful art, by enabling them to delineate various scenes for the Diorama, as their taste may direct; thus furnishing an inexhaustible source of rational enjoyment, by blending Instruction with Amusement. By John Clark. Fitted up in a handsome box. 31. 3s.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Is this Religion? or a Page from the Book of the World. By the Author of May you like it. f.cap 8vo. 7s.

Hebrew Tales; selected and translated from the Writings of the ancient Hebrew Sages. To which is prefixed, an Essay on the Uninspired Literature of the Hebrews. By Hyman Hurwitz. f.cap 8vo. 7s. 6d.

Thoughts on the Advancement of Academical Education in England. 5s.

POETRY.

Devotional Verses. By Bernard Bartou. 12mo. 6s. 6d.

The Prospect and other Poems. By Edward Moxon. f.cap 8vo. 4s. 6d.

Osric, a Missionary Tale: with the Garden and other Poems. By Charlotte Elizabeth. 12mo. 5s.

POLITICAL.

Letters to a Friend, on the State of Ireland, The Roman Catholic Question, and the Merits of Constitutional Religious Distinctions. By E. A. Kendall, Esq. F.S.A. 3 vols. 8vo. 11. 16s.

The Grievances of Ireland, their Causes and their Remedies; in a letter to Sir Francis Burdett, Bart. M.P. By William Sturch, Esq. 8vo.

THEOLOGY.

The Christian Psalmist, or Hymns selected and original. By James Montgomery. 12mo. 5s.

Psalms and Hyans, principally for
Public Worship.
Selected from Dr.
Watts and other Authors, by Henry
Forster Burder, M.A. 18mo. 4s.

Essays on the Evidences, Doctrines, and Practical Operation of Christianity. By Joseph John Gurney. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

A Charge delivered to the Clergy of the Diocese of Chester, at the primary Visitation in August and September, 1825. By Charles James Blomfield, D.D. Bishop of Chester. 4to.

The Memory of departed Worth: an obituary of the late Rev. John Hooper, A.M. By Jacob Snelgar. 6d.

THE

ECLECTIC REVIEW,

FOR MARCH, 1826.

Art. I. 1. A Picture of Greece in 1825; as exhibited in the Personal

Narratives of James Emerson, Esq., Count Pecchio, and W. H. Humphreys, Esq. Comprising a detailed Account of the late · Campaign, and Sketches of the principal Military, Naval, and Political Chiefs. In 2 vols. royal 12mo. pp. 704. London,

1826. 2. The Greek Revolution ; its Origin and Progress : together with

some Remarks on the Religion, National Character, &c., in Greece. By Edward Blaquiere, Esq. Author of the Historical

Review of the Spanish Revolution. 8vo. pp. 362. London, 1824. 3. Narrative of a Second Visit to Greece, including Facts connected

with the last Days of Lord Byron, Extracts from Correspondence, Official Documents, &c. By Edward Blaquiere, Esq. 8vo. pp.

360. London, 1825. 4. A Visit to Greece in 1823 and 1824. By George Waddington,

Esq. Fellow of Trin. Coll. Camb. and Author of Travels in Ethiopia. The Second Edition. Crown 8vo. pp. lx. 248. London,

1825. THESE works comprise the reports of no fewer than five

independent witnesses of high personal respectability relative to the affairs of Greece. On some points, their respective statements and opinions are, as might be expected, at variance; with regard to the real character of some of the most conspicuous leaders in the Revolution, singularly so ; but all concur in representing the state of the country to be in every view inost deplorable, and the cause, without European interference, hopeless. The sanguine hopes of those Philhellenists who looked to see a self-regenerated nation emerge like a phenix from the flames of war, have at length given way to despondency, and in some quarters to disgust. To some persons, we fear, the cause of the Greeks has been interesting chiefly as a popular and democratic struggle which, Vol. XXV. N.S.

S

it was hoped, would issue in the establishment of another free republic; and the downfall of the Turkish power would scarcely be hailed by them as a propitious event, were it to be replaced by a government formed on monarchical principles. On the other hand, the sympathy of legitimate governments seems to have been strongly excited in favour of the Turkish despotism, and the success of the Greek insurrection has been deprecated as an alarming precedent. In Italy and in Spain, the Holy Alliance has, in some measure, indemnified itself for the triumph of freedom and humanity in the western hemisphere; and it beheld with dismay a third rebellion break out in Greece, against the established order of things and the sacred rights of legitimate monarchs. Mr. Waddington states, that proofs of a correspondence between the Greek patriots and the Carbonari were presented at the Congress of Verona. It is easy to imagine what effect would be produced by such documents in the hands of Prince Metternich. The consequence was, that the Emperor Alexander, on whose favourable disposition towards them the Greek patriots so sanguinely calculated, was led to condemn the insurrection in its origin, and it appears never for a moment to have received its support. He viewed its principles as alike detestable and ominous ; and the principles which he proclaimed at Laybach, were re• echoed from the balls of Verona.'

• During the course of the most difficult negotiation ever conducted, many pretexts and some reasons for war were afforded him by the blind pertinacity, not to say pugnacity, of the Turkish Govern. ment; public opinion, such as can be expressed in Russia, invited him to take advantage of them; and a part at least of his cabinet was active and incessant in its endeavours to seduce him into the same feelings ; religion and ambition were eloquent in the same cause, and even honour appeared sometimes engaged to provoke him to hostility. The emperor was inflexible-honour, or ambition, or reli. gion, the intrigues of his ministers or the voice of his people, the very insolence of bis adversary could not compel him to the support of a cause whose principles he continued to disapprove.'

Nor was it over the mind of the Emperor Alexander only, that the master of the Emperor of Austria and of the Continent succeeded in throwing his political spells. There is too much reason to believe that the late Lord Londonderry was either the easy dupe or the ready confederate of the wily Austrian. When, at length, after the atrocious massacres of 1821, an opportunity seemed to present itself for arranging the • differences between the Turks and the Greeks on terms not • unfavourable to the latter, a paper,' Mr. Waddington says, was actually drawn up, by the proposal of Lord Strangford, which