to enforce the recollection of the fact, that the Old Testament is not a civil but religious history of the Jews: a fact that seems to have been quite lost sight of in Professor Milman's work. To shew how distinct these purposes are, he very forcibly remarks, that Josephus and the author of the recent history of the Jews have bestowed scarcely a word upon the transactions recorded in the four Gospels and the Acts.

He shews, in his second Discourse, that there is a strongly marked design in the historical books of the Old Testament, to exhibit in clear and full colours the weakness and the guilt of man; and that the sacred writers, to effect this their great leading purpose, make the thread of the historic narrative give way, that the moral lesson may be expanded and illustrated in its full force. The third Discourse, which exhibits the proofs of God's tenderness and loving-kindness to man, is very forcibly written, and accompanied with an earnestness which, in all well-regulated minds, must lead to very beneficial results. In the fifth Discourse is a very sound and scriptural exposition of faith both in the legal and evangelical covenants, and the great difficulty of maintaining and cherishing it, notwithstanding the influences and assistances that are so graciously vouchsafed to us.

Time's Telescope for 1833.-The contents of the present volume of this longestablished periodical are chiefly astronomical and biographical. The portions of the former description are written by that diligent and experienced observer, Mr. J. T. Barker; the latter appear to be principally abridgments from the Obituary of our own Magazine. They are accompanied by well-executed portraits of Crabbe, Goethe, Mackintosh, Bentham, Scott, and Dr. Clarke; as is the astronomical part by similar heads of Gassendi, Kepler, Copernicus, and Des Cartes. On the whole this volume is less miscellaneous and varied in its contents, but more original than its predecessors; and will be exceedingly acceptable to the lover of astronomy and natural history, the concluding division consisting of Notes of a Naturalist, by James Rennie, M.A. Professor of Zoology at King's College, London.

First Lines of Natural Philosophy. By ROBERT MUDIE. pp. 382: cuts.-This is a work well adapted to its purpose, that of conveying to comparatively young students a general knowledge of the great principles of natural philosophy. Its form of instruction is by Catechism; it must not, however, be supposed that it is an imitation of the scientific cate

chisms that have gone before it; the mind of Mr. Mudie is too original for that.

He seems to have perceived the liability of his works to the slight objection which we made on noticing his "Guide to Nature," (Gent. Mag. Jan. 1833, p. 61); for in his preface he thus well justifies himself: "Some portions may appear to be more abstract than what is usually met with in books professing to teach the first elements, &c. Without some exercise of thought there can be no philosophy, nor indeed knowledge of any kind; and the sooner the operation of thinking can be begun the better." It is certainly an experiment worthy of trial. Every object in nature and art is well defined; and of the scientific terms many derivations are given, which we should have no objection to see extended, as familiarizing the young student with them; and also an agreeable diversion from too intense abstraction. Of the same nature is the construction of philosophical instruments, &c. The little book may altogether be safely recommended.

Sketch Book of Fashion. By the Author of "Mothers and Daughters," 3 vols. -We are told that these tales form the last of a series of Novels, of a class created by the peculiar spirit of the last reign, and manifestly at variance with that of the present times." How the fact of the last sentence may be we know not; but if it be true, we can say that Mr. Bentley (who is favouring the world, in its own way, with an excellent collection of light reading) has done well in yielding these last words; and the author is determined to have the valete ac plaudite. The work contains six sketches: the Pavilion-My Place in the CountryThe Second Marriage-the Old and the Young Bachelor-A Manoeuvrer Outwitted, or Relations from India-the Intriguante.

Traits and Stories of the Irish Peasantry. Second Series, 3 vols.-Ireland, in all its misery, has lately produced some powerful literary claims from native sons of the soil. We have lately expressed our approbation of some in philosophy and travel; we have now to extend it to these volumes, containing several highly drawn characteristic sketches. We do it rather because their principle is different from that of the writers who find nothing but the evils of misgovernment and domestic oppression to embody in works of amusement; yet they are far from devoid of pathos, and the broad humour is excellent, though in some cases diverging into vulgarity. This is more particularly observable in a very excellent article descriptive of the progress of no inconsiderable number of the Catholic priesthood, which is quite fair, and the more so because it is entirely free from malevolence.

Pictures of Private Life. By SARAH STICKNEY.-With considerable interest have we perused these very pleasing volumes, from the pen of a writer evidently possessing a cultivated and reflecting mind, and much genuine sensibility. We have been frequently struck with an air of freshness far different from the artificial character which pertains to so many similar works of the day. The

aim of the writer is evidently to instruct as well as amuse, by offering these sketches as beacons to warn the young, especially of her own sex, against errors which have shipwrecked the happiness of so many. Thus the sketch entitled "The Hall and the Cottage," which is, we think, the best in the volume, (of which it occupies rather more than one half) gives a too faithful representation of the evils resulting from that aspiring ambition so prevalent in these times, by which those of humble station in life, looking beyond the sphere in which Providence has placed them, sacrifice to a vaîn phan

tom, if not innocence, at least their happiness for life.

Summer Flowers from the Garden of Wisdom, by CHARLES FEIST, is replete with instruction, drawn from subjects that always excite curiosity in youth; and in a style well adapted for cultivation

From grave to gay, from lively to severe. Besides several others, we are much pleased with the introduction of the "Golden story of "Simons the Miller.”

Opinions" are scattered throughout, which form excellent pauses, and familiar verses for the purpose of fixing on the memory the chronology of events. Great pains have been taken to variegate the whole.

The Minstrel, and other Poems. By JAMES VANSOMMER, pp. 231.-We think the author has been unhappy in the choice of a title reminding us of the delightful strains of Beattie, the first stanza of which would have powerfully warned him

-how hard it is to climb The steep where Fame's proud temple shines afar."

The present minstrel modestly sues for leniency, and we will not be severe; but we must remind him that modern colloquial expressions suit not a florid description of the knights of crusading Palestine. In verse, moreover, it is requisite that imagination should be guided by certain rules not here followed. Having said this, it may be added, that the plan of a knight sending his page, a "righte worthye minstrelle," to the castle which holds his mistress, to prepare her for his return; his reception by the old warder; his gaining access to the widowed dame of the castle, and then to the beloved Bertha, were not bad subjects for the poet. The model of the narrative is evidently Sir Walter Scott, a dangerous choice. The minor poems, occupying two thirds of the volume, are the best portion; and many are very agreeable. The songs, Mary,' The Tear,' and that of which the burthen_is, Adelaide;' the verses To my Looking-Glass,' and 'Sketches at Brighton,' pleased us much.

DR. FORSTER has just published a very much enlarged edition of his Pilgrim's Waybook, comprehending a vast number of subjects 'connected with the health, happiness, and longevity of man; and an essay on Marriage, and the mode of improving the condition of Society by regulating that institution. There is also an Essay on the Observance of Sundays and Festivals, in which the author, though he recommends abstaining from servile work

The Renegade, and other Poems, by the Rev. B. T. H. COLE, A.M. Rector of Warbleton.-The poetry is just what one would expect from a classical man, nearly faultless, and not without considerable energy. If we would, after these observations, find fault, it would be with the subject, the much more than "a thousand and first" told tale, and on different occasions very poorly told. We think we cannot do better for the author than to quote a few lines at the close, deseriptive of the fidelity of woman-

"And think'st thou then, the Maid thy pride of power

Had graced, would leave thee in affection's hour?
This plighted hand-its pulse beats full and free,
Or if it trembles, trembles but for thee!
This plighted hand-believe not I repine-
For good or ill, in life or death, is thine.
When dreams of what thou wast and still hadst
been

Intrude on Fancy's wild and troubled scene,
This voice, Zulema's voice, shall soothe thy woes;
Zu'ema's arm shall cradle thy repose;
Zulema's love shall every loss atone,

Her breast thy pillow, and her heart thy throne!" One hand was twined in Hassan's, one, halfclosed,

With gentlest pressure on his arm reposed;

ROYAL ACADEMY.

She kneels: her eye upraised with tearful gleam, Seeks what in Hassan ne'er again shall beam! Faint with suspense, with love and grief opprest, Her sinking form is clasped to Hassan's breast.

Vol. III. to VII. of Mr. VALPY's edi tion of Shakspeare. This work is prohaving completed about half its course. ceeding successfully in monthly volumes, It is to consist of 15 volumes, which will be embellished with 170 designs, copied in outline by Starling from Boydell's magnificent edition. The chief labour of the Editor seems to have been in the selection of the various readings forming fined to the explanation of obsolete words the text; as the notes are slight, and conand phrases. From the neat way in which the work is printed, the number of well deserving of the extensive popularity its embellishments, and its cheapness, it is it has received.

Lives of celebrated Spaniards, translated from the Spanish of Quintana, by T. R. PRESTON. The greatest men of that remarkable nation, the gravest portions of whose ancient history are mingled with associations of almost romantic chivalry, form a subject for biography full of interest. Quintana is an author who appears to have taken much pains in searching for authorities, and to have brought to his task a spirit of most philosophical enquiry; and the style in which he has given to us the result of his labours, as transmitted to us in this volume, is more than commonly powerful. Mr. Preston has performed his duty of translation with judgment and correctness; and has given to the public a book which, while it wears all the lightness of romance, yet is valuable on account of its historical information. The life of the Great Captain will be eagerly perused by the youthful reader.

sea-pieces, portraits, and bijouteries of a much inferior character, there are abundance; and even in historical, poetical, and imaginative compositions, there is not absolutely a deficiency; but they are generally of a cabinet or miniature size, in many instances unworthy of the subjects they represent. On looking round the great room, it would appear as if British art had degenerated into a mechanical trade, and that the spirit of portrait painting was trampling the genius of history and poesy beneath his feet. Thus, in the principal centre of the room, which has been usually assigned for compositions of the very highest and most interesting class, we have a tremendously full length portrait of his present Majesty, in the

uniform of the Grenadier Guards, as stiff and starch as any drill sergeant, glittering with varnish, and executed in a manner the least calculated to enhance the reputation of Wilkie as a portrait painter. Beneath his Majesty's feet is a small cabinet painting by the same artist, representing a Capuchin monk at confession, which, from its uninteresting character, and its inferiority to many of Wilkie's productions, ought never to have occupied the first situation in the exhibition. But Wilkie is a Royal Academician, and his reputation has gained him legislative authority in the Council. On the left of the room appears another portrait of the King, and on the right, one of the Duke of Sussex, in the costume of a Highland chieftain, by Wilkie, both displaying such ample and magnificent frames as to throw the humbler but more novel and interesting subjects around, into comparative shade; velut inter ignes luna minores." In the smaller and mediocre productions of art, we observe that all the leading Academicians have been sufficiently active -or rather perhaps they have been more fortunate in obtaining admission than many of their less distinguished competitors. ETTY has four pieces, three of a truly poetical character. Britomart redeemes faire Amoret,' from Spenser's Faery Queene,' is a beautiful cabinet picture. The subject is taken from the 12th canto of book iii.

The maske of Cupid, and th' enchaunted chamber are displayed; Whence Britomart redeemes faire A

moret through charms decayed. Hylas and the Nymphs;' displays a fine tone of colouring; but the figures are rather faulty in the drawing, and the nymphs are not so beautiful as the poetic imagination would conceive. The other two productions are the Lute Player,' and Head of a Philosopher;' both skilfully executed.

DANIELL, as usual, has displayed great industry. He has again presented us with eight subjects (the utmost number allowed by the Academy)-all illustrative of Indian scenery and manners, of which he is so skilful a pourtrayer. Indeed, in this department he appears to have no competitor. The first subject of his pencil, No. 27, is The Falls of Courtallum, or Tein Cauchy,' situated in the Tinnevelly district, southern India. The scenery is truly oriental; and the back ground and distant huts are in wonderful keeping with the general character of the picture. 'The Salaam,' is an admirable representation of a common oriental custom, in which the figures are cleverly drawn, and skilfully executed. Falls of the Cauvery,' with the foaming cataract, was a fine subject for his pencil.

The

No. 279. representing the Boa Constrictor seizing the Javanese messenger from his horse, is rather outré. The immense length of the serpent is even beyond the range of poetical licence. The other subjects of Daniell's pencil are- Mosque at Futty Pore Sieri, near Agra,' built by the Emperor Akbar; A Coorg,' or Indian huntsman, habited in costume; Madras, or Fort St. George, in the Bay of Bengal,' in which a passing squall is finely represented; The Banyan Tree,' whose wonderful ramifications appear sufficient to enshade a whole army.

6

J. M. TURNER has this year favoured us with six views, in which he has displayed all the powers of genius in design and aerial perspective, and moreover, he appears, in some instances, to have softened down the daubiness of his colouring, and there is not that indistinctness which frequently pervades his productions, as if they had all been sketched in the misty morn or dewy eve. The subjects are all of a picturesque character. They consist of Rotterdam Ferry-boat;'' Bridge of Sighs, Ducal Palace and Custom House, Venice,' Ducal Palace, Venice,' two highly finished pictures, which sink even Stanfield's View of Venice into comparative shade; Van Gozen looking out for a subject;' Van Tromp returning after the battle off the Dogger Bank;' 'Mouth of the Seine, Quille-boeuf, a rather dauby composition-the white and blue presenting a terrible harshness of tone and general effect.

HILTON has only one subject, of a pleasing character, Rebecca and Abraham's servant,' from Gen. xxiv.

6

LESLEY'S Tristram Shandy recovering the Manuscript he had lost,' is a very characteristic and amusing composition. The gravity of the great sentimentalist, and the nonchalance of the French woman, who is dropping the manuscript, which had formed her papillottes, bit by bit, into Sterne's hat, are remarkably well expressed, and the effect is irresistibly droll. Leslie has two other subjects,' A Mother and Child,' and Martha and Mary,' a scriptural subject from St. Luke, ch. x. vv. 38-42.

PHILLIPS has eight portraits, a line of art which he doubtless finds extremely profitable. The most striking, and the one which we consider as the most finely executed, is that of 'Davies Gilbert, esq." which has been painted for the Royal Society, by desire of the President and Council. The likeness is admirably striking; and there is a soberness and quietness in the back-ground, which materially aids in imparting a fleshiness of tone to the portrait.

(To be continued.)

MATHEWS'S GALLERY OF THEATRICAL POR

TRAITS.

The collection of theatrical portraits, formed by Mr. Charles Mathews the comedian, which has been long celebrated for its extent and comprehensive range, is now submitted to public exhibition at the Queen's Bazaar, Oxford street. We have here an opportunity of seeing those great enchanters, who, in days gone by, so potently commanded the smile and the tear; of whom our old friends speak so exultingly; and of whom many a gossip in print records marvels, in which we readily believe, although at the expense of confessing the degeneracy of our own day. Here Garrick and Mrs. Pritchard enact Macbeth and his Lady, in court-suits of the old regime, and Hamlet soliloquizes with one knee-buckle unfastened, and one silk stocking broken loose from its legitimate garter. Macklin, Cooke, Barry, Kemble, Siddons, Kean, O'Neil, are here; and here are the Gwynnes, the Bracegirdles, the Popes, the Woffingtons, and Abingtons. Here too are all our old comedians, Quin, Foote, Dogget, Emery, Munden, Fawcett, Edwin, and dozens of others, in all sizes and styles from full-length to miniature, from finished portrait to the scratch of a characteristic sketch. Amongst those which deserve notice as works of art, are some scenes by Zoffany, (especially that from the Clandestine Marriage,) and portraits by Hogarth, Reynolds, Romney, Harlow, Sir Thomas Lawrence, and Clint. Harlow's head of Miss L. Kelly, is a sketch quite equal to Lawrence, and full of grace and elegance. On the whole, few persons who have any predilection for the English stage, and the things connected with it, can visit this exhibition without feeling much gratification. The catalogue is an excellent synopsis of the principal dates in theatrical biography; and forms a nearly complete record of the actors from the year 1659 to the present time. Prefixed to it is an admirable essay on the Old Actors, including full portraits of Suett and Munden, by Mr. C. Lamb, which first appeared in the London Magazine under the signature of Elia.

SIR THOMAS LAWRENCE'S DRAWINGS.

It will be remembered that Sir Thomas Lawrence was so anxious that his unequalled collection of Drawings should be kept together, that he desired his executors to offer them to Government for 20,000l. although they had cost him upwards of 40,000l. In these times Government dare not ask such a grant from Parliament; and the collection would forthwith have been brought to the hammer, had not Lord Wharncliffe, and some other influential friends of the fine arts,

resolved to try the success of the following plan. That a Society be formed to subscribe for 200 shares of 100%. That a Committee put an equitable estimation on each drawing, and that Subscribers select drawings to the amount of their subscription. That for three years the Drawings be retained by the Society for public exhibition: and each shareholder shall issue fifty silver tickets, of the value of 51. each, for gift or sale. If, when by the exhibition the nature and value of the works shall be more generally understood, means should be found for securing them for the National Gallery, British Museum, some other public institution, the Society shall hold themselves bound, for the space of three years, to accept the prime cost.

or

THE GRAPHIC SOCIETY.

A Society has been established in London this spring, under the name of the Graphic Society, and its Meetings are styled the Conversazioni of the Graphic Society. It consists of 100 members, divided into 40 painters in oil, 12 painters in water colours, 6 sculptors, 20 architects, 20 engravers, a treasurer, and a secretary. The lists are all filled with the names of gentlemen at the head of their several professions. There are to be six monthly meetings, from January to June, on the 2d Thursday in each month. Two meetings have been held in "The National Gallery of Practical Science," which passed off with great eclat.

MONS. NIEUWENHUYS' PICTURES.

A collection of Pictures of extraordinary value was sold by Mess. Christie and Manson, on the 10th and 11th of May. Many were chefs-d'œuvre that had belonged to the most celebrated collections on the continent as well as in this country.

;

The works that were chiefly contended for were an Italian Landscape, by Moucheron and A. Van de Velde, sold at 1471.; the Rocks, by Berchem, 1847. 16s.; a Sea View, J. Van Cappelle, 1521. 5s.; an ancient Castle, D. Teniers, 1111. 6s. Diana and Acteon, by A. Caracci, 1637. 168.; the Holy Family, Carlo Dolce, 105.; View on the Zuyder Zee, L. Backhuyzen, 1711. 3s.; La Confidence, J. B. Greuze, 5351. 10s.; Landscape in the Spring, M. Hobbema, 158/. 11s. ; a Landscape, J. Ruisdael, 787. 15s.; the Astronomer, G. Dou, 2241. 14s.; the Village Feast, Jan Steen, 138/. 12s.; View on the Zuyder Zee, W. Van de Velde, 5621.; the Swan, J. Weenix, 1321. 6s.; Port of Amsterdam, L. Backhuyzen, 246l. 5s.; the Holy Family, Giulio Romano, 5451.; two Frescos, by the latter artist, brought 1121. 78.; the Herring Packer's Tower, Amsterdam, M. Hobbemna, 425l. 58.; the