OUR LIBRARY TABLE. TREES, PLANTS, AND FLOWERS. By Mrs. R. Lee. (Grant and Griffiths, St. Paul's Churchyard.) This is a charming volume, whether as regards the eight exquisitely coloured illustrations which embellish it, or the interesting subjects of which it treats. Mrs. Lee commences with the arctic regions, and traces the gradual development of vegetation from its primal forms of moss and fern, to the gigantic timber of the American forests. In love with her subject, she has spared herself no trouble or research to throw fresh interest around it, and the result is that every tree whispers a new story of itself; every plant and flower has something more than its botanical habits and outward beauty to inform us of: in brief, the work is a manual of the most varied and interesting information, as delightful to general readers as to the lover of nature and botany. So many passages tempt us, that we hardly know from which section to select an extract; the chapter, however, on the sea-weed tribe will perhaps be strongest of the charm of novelty :— "The largest vegetable in the world finds its place among these forms (Algae), Macrocystis pyrifera, whose fronds are comparatively narrow, but from five to fifteen hundred feet long, and at the base of each is a bladder filled with air, without which they could not be sustained in the water; for their stems are not thicker than a finger." Stranger still in appearance must be that of the enormous Laminaria digitata, which was consecrated to the sorcerers of Iceland, Norway, and the north of Scotland; the multitudes of Nereocysts, with thread-like stems rising seventy feet, swelling at the end with an enormous bladder, like a club; from the top of which issues a thick bunch of fronds, 30 ft. long, all of which die yearly, and again attain their full size in a few months; for there are no vegetables which grow more rapidly than the Algae." In such pastures as these move the Leviathan, and all the varied inmates of the deep; but the virtues of the sea-weeds are as diversified as their shapes, and some of them as singular. Everyone knows how large a share the alkali produced from them has in the manufacture of glass; while a valuable and powerful remedy against glandular affections is afforded by iodine, a substance produced from kelp-some such as the dillosk, which we remember to have heard cried about the streets of Cove; the Ulva latissima, from which laver is made; and the berry of the Saragossa-weed, which Mrs. Lee informs us makes an excellent pickle-are useful as food: while to these we must add the Chondrus crispus, well known as Carrageen moss, which is not only esteemed a nourisher and restorative in cases of pulmonary disease, or debility; but the stock, boiled in milk, makes a delicious jelly, and is otherwise useful for the table. It is also, we learn, employed as size, by painters; and is useful in dressing silks. The first plate in the volume illustrates sea-weed, moss, and fern. The tube-rose and butterfly-plant are the subjects of the second. But where all are charming, it is hard to point out which we think most so! If we have a favourite, it is the sixth: in which the Arbutis branch, with its drooping berries, looks as if freshly gathered. We can hardly imagine a more beautiful gift-book than "Trees, Plants, and Flowers," abounding as it does with information, anecdote, and amusement. Of course, in a work of 439 pages, ranging from the cedar of Lebanon, to the hyssop that groweth on the wall, the author has been obliged to prune down her materials to these limits; but in this Mrs. Lee has shown her taste as well as tact, and while withholding dry details and technicalities, has left out nothing that can make her subject pleasing to everyone, and amidst the learning which the book exhibits, displays so many little traits distinctive of the mother and the amiable woman, that we admire her as much for her sensibility as for her knowledge. Just read what she says about walnuts, and those (our childhood's flowers) daisies, primroses, and violets. We think our readers will thank us for having introduced the work, and only regret that while wishing it all the success it so richly deserves, want of space prevents our more fully quoting it. PHRENOLOGY, PSYCHOLOGY, AND PNEUMATOLOGY; OR, THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING THE WHOLE BEING. By an Introviser. (J. Chapman, 142, Strand.)-Amongst much that is speculative and mystical (at least to the uninitiated), there are passages in this little volume replete with sound sense, and containing suggestions, which, if carried into effect, could not fail of improving society. The chapters on education and social improvement are especially worthy of attention; because, unlike the majority of our disputants with the times, the Introviser is not contented with pointing out our ailments, but absolutely proposes remedies for them; which, however sceptical we may be on the subjects of clairvoyance, and "the mysterious phenomenon of hat and table-moving," we are quite prepared to accept. The following remarks on capital punishment are not without their value: "Whatever we may call ourselves, we are not a truly Christian people while we retain capital punishment as a law of the land; and I believe that the make it the law that murderers should be deprived most effectual way to prevent murder, would be to of their liberty for life, and compelled to work for the benefit of the families they may have injured, This, to the really wicked and impenitent, would be a much greater punishment than death; and to those who were truly repentant, it would be a merci ful, though severe one. It would also impress | a French officer, afford Miss O'Keeffe the historical foundation of her story the most thoughtless with the vastness of their crime when they perceived that the life and labour of years were insufficient to compensate in the least for what was only one evil action out of the many that lie scattered through their lives; and at all events they would have time to perceive the enormity and heinousness of vice." In this we quite agree. Robespierre's impres- em "High and holy as the mission of the governess assuredly is, I believe that of the nurse to be equally 80; for the thoughts we imbibe in the nursery are the seeds of the ideas which colour our whole lives. It is there that fear or courage, hope or despondency, first display their power, and should be met and treated with judicious sympathy. Many a child has been made a coward and a liar in the nursery; and the cause of many cases of mental derangement can be traced to the earliest years. It is therefore obvious, that until a better and more educated class of women are placed about the young, our advance can be but tardy; for there is "With these simple historical truths before me," -(continues the lady, in her address to her readers) "and having from long experience no slight insight into the workings of the human heart, as (without vanity I may be allowed to say) is fully evinced in my three previous works," &c. &c. &c. I planned this tale of The Broken Sword, or a Soldier's Honour.'' heart. The story professes to aim at exhibiting the dangerous position in which their offspring may be placed by the separation of parents; but to give this moral force, the situations should be such as could naturally occur, and not emanate from circumstances of the most unlikely and exaggerated nature. Coming into the market, like the charlatans of old, with their wares in one hand and a trumpet in the other, let us see how the author supports the pretensions of her prelusive flourish, and makes good her long experience in the workings of the human figures as the apocryphal French officer through The Marquis Henri d'Aumerle, who whom the Battle of Rosbach was lost, is married to an English lady of rank-who, on the rumour of her husband's cowardice (for after all, it turns out to be but a rumour, the Colonel being engaged in fighting with a party of Prussians to gain possession of his brother, who has been desperately wounded, and is about to be carried off prisoner, at the moment when his absence from his post occasioned a panic in his men)-abandons him, and at the first blush of his shame, at the moment when overwhelmed The author thinks that many of the social wants seeks consolation and sympathy in her arms, by the scorn and opprobrium of the world, he to be supplied open an ample field for occupation quits his house, declaring that one and the same for those who are obliged to support themselves, roof shall never shelter her head, and that of a and suggests that of professional reader, who would read to the aged, the sick or blind, or in coward. This, as a specimen of the author's insight into the human heart, is bad enough; fact to any requiring their services. This would what mother would ever forsake the father of be a lady-like employment, requiring education, her children--what wife the husband of her love intellect, and taste; while for those persons who (for such he is represented to be), without having a competence, spend a useless and object-listening to the defence he has to offer, if, less existence, our author proposes, that as sister-indeed, she did not at once exculpate him, and hoods-in the present acceptance of the term in her blind but generous belief, bar every sense can accomplish but little (our Protestant religion requiring something more wide-spread and in accordance with the freedom of nature) that an universal order, called the "helping sisters" be organized in every town; and a register be kept at every library, where those desirous of honorary employment should enter their names, and the duties for which they are best adapted. They might nurse the sick, read to the aged, give instruction to children, or practical help in economy, housekeeping, order, cleanliness, &c., to their maternal parents. always so much evil to be undone, that it acts as a drawback to progression." against the imputation? The thing is done, however; the lady leaves her husband's establishment, and, with the Straits of Dover between them, sets herself down in a small village version of the maternal character, though quite on the coast of Kent. By another singular inin keeping with the peculiar idiosyncrasy of Mrs. St. Ives' (as she now chooses to be called), the lady abandons her youngest child, a little girl, and takes with her the son and heir, who is two years her elder. The parents have agreed to this arrangement, till Frederick shall have THE BROKEN SWORD. By Adelaide O'Keeffe. attained his twentieth year, at which time, his (Groombridge and Sons, Paternoster Row.)-mamma having formed his character, and comThe loss of the Battle of Rosbach by the French pleted his education, an exchange is to take and Austrians, and a passage in an intercepted place. The lady appears to have been a perfect letter from Monsieur de St. Germain to M. d'Affry, encyclopædia, since, without any assistance quoted by Lord Chesterfield to Phillip Stanhope, whatever, aided alone by books, maps, and in which he says, "Cette armée est entièrement globes, she had nearly completed his education." perdue," and lays the blame very strongly upon The mode of his imbibing astronomy and 66 Besides these exercises, it was a custom of his mamma's to send her son on dark, bleak, blustering nights to sea with the fishermen, for the sake of bracing his nerves, and rendering him fearless. Throughout these nineteen years of Frederick's existence, there is no confidence extended to him, not a word said of the necessity of their impending separation till the day, nay almost the hour at which it is to take place, when the whole affair is managed with a mystery worthy of the Radcliffe style of romance. "The snow lay so deep on the ground, that the carriage had driven up to the very door of the cottage-seen, but not heard. No sound of wheels or horses' hoofs had prepared them for the approach; so that the sudden arrival of a ponderous, closed-in vehicle, in total silence, produced a more awful impression on the mind and spirit of the astonished youth than he had ever before experienced." An open one, with snow on the ground, would have been much more alarming we should have thought. From the box and roof of this aweinspiring vehicle, two or three muffled-up men alight "And a fourth, leaving the carriage, lifts from it an object, not unlike in shape and height a fullsized harp, covered up in a prodigious dark cloth wrapper." This turns out to be the fair exchange, who is smuggled into her mother's dwelling while under the influence of narcotics. In the meanwhile an angry altercation ensues between the mother and son, who naturally demurs to to this sudden and unexplained expatriation, which is suddenly ended by the young gentleman's "Rushing out of the room, clearing the threshold at a bound, and leaping into the carriage, followed by two of the men. Instantly, with a rapid but noiseless speed, the four horses dashed off from the door, the wheels throwing up and around clouds of sleet and snow." Waking up at the end of his journey-for he too is subsequently subjected to the narcotic process-he finds himself in a bed of the richest crimson satin damask, embroidered in large flowers, and leaves of gold, &c. &c. &c.; for we have not the space, even had we patience, to describe the unique properties which the fair authoress has brought together we have counted eight pages of the work wholly taken up with details in the furniture line, which would do credit to a catalogue of the late George Robins, from a "small tent-bed with high tester," to the gorgeous couch crowned with a regal round, and plume of white ostrich feathers, on which the abducted Frederick awakes. The lady is evidently an enthusiastic admirer of this which Mrs. St. Ives receives the daughter whom branch of domestic scenery. The manner in she forsook in infancy, affords us another of those deep insights into the human heart assuredly hidden from all others, which the fair authoress boasts of. This daughter, unknowing the relation between herself and Mrs. St. Ives, from the difference of her establishment and manner of living from that which she (Claire) has been accustomed to at the Château de Rémond, imagines her of inferior rank to herself-her care-taker, in fact. The following conversation will give an idea of the characters of both mother and daughter; nor must we forget that a mother who acts as Mrs. St. Ives is represented to have done, is morally responsible for the foibles and false training of her childat the same time that it affords us a specimen of the style and tone of the volume. The young lady, be it remembered, is turned eighteen years of age, and is receiving the attentions of a certain Sir Charles Fitzroy. The ladies are sitting together, with a dependent of Mrs. St. Ives' (Esther) in the room "Serious! to be sure I am" (for Claire had mounted her stilts of arrogance and pride, increased, it seems, tenfold, by the presence of Esther, the maid of Mrs. St. Ives, and continued-) "I wish we could change situations in life, my good friend; then I should be a happy, middle-aged widow, in this beautiful little cottage, with only three servants (a glance was thrown at Esther), quite enough, in my opinion; whilst you, dear and sole heiress of a marquis (he told me I was such Mrs. St. Ives, would flourish the young daughter himself), and live in a kingly château, with carriages, horses, and more than a hundred dependants in the house and domain! At any rate, I do hope you will so far honour me as to go back with me to France, Mrs. St. Ives, and continue with me, not as my duenna, but my companion. I am certain we should love each other immensely, Mrs. St. Ives." The blow was struck! had red-hot iron seared the brow of the elder lady, it could not have produced a more dreadful effect! She dashed the pillow on Claire, as if to crush her into nothing, exclaimedwhich she had been working, and looking at "Peace! frivolous, affected, and malicious being, Peace! Until this horrid instant I thought at least your heart was good, but now find it blackened to the core! me! You offer me protection! you! and to Sit still-stir not-but listen. Know that I, in birth, station, and fortune, am far, immeasurably far your superior. I say no more. I hoped with time to have raised a fabric of affection"—(our set about it)" and now find, too late, the foundareaders should discover for themselves the way she tion sand! I now fully understand your disposition, your temper, your character-"} Which we confess is more than we do; but to such of our readers as like to have plain matters rendered inexplicable-a mysterious romance thrown over a simple circumstance-with a grand commingling of improbable situations, exaggerated sentiments, and perplexity of detail -vide the " Broken Sword!" THE INVALID'S OFFERING.-(Binns & Good- | strongly pointed out, and one of its worst effects win.)-The author of this little volume tells us, —a neglect of truth-thus exposed: that during a "long illness, attended with much suffering, and for a long time total blindness," when all work or reading was proscribed, she found that she could dictate a few versesweak and imperfect-on the subjects which chiefly engaged her thoughts." The poems before us divulge those thoughts to have been strictly religious; and though we might hesitate to approve of the publication of such poetry as even the composer of deems "weak and imperfect," we are content to be at variance with her in this opinion, and to avow our gratification with the pure Christian sentiments, contained in very sweet, and always rythmical verse. The subjects seem chosen with judgment; and though we do not pretend to discover any originality in the treatment of them, we are very certain that the effusions must please, and may benefit. Perhaps the following lines give as favourable a specimen of the poems as we can afford space for : verity, and especially if accompanied by violent re- THE GLASGOW INFANT SCHOOL MAGAZINE. Second series. By D. Caughie. (Darton and Co., 58, Holborn Hill.)-We have great pleasure in recommending this little volume to all who are interested in the teaching of young children. Information on a greater variety of subjects than we can enumerate is given, in the most simple manner; and the lessons in botany and natural history, though adapted for a child's capacity, might inform many children of a larger growth. A CYCLOPEDIA OF SACRED POETICAL QUOTATIONS. By H. Y. Adams. (Groombridge and Sons, Paternoster-row.)—The fifth and sixth parts of this work are before us, and keep the promise with which it at first set out. The quotations illustrating the various headings are excellently chosen; and for all the purposes intended, it is a very useful work. NEW MUSIC. A LAY OF VENICE. Words by Lucinda Elliott: Music by Frances Susanna Bigg. (Leader and Cocks, 63, New Bond-street.)-The repetition of the words in this song is unpleasing to us, for there is nothing in them; but the melody is pretty and simple-two qualities that will recommend it to the majority of young lady singers. THE EARLY EDUCATION OF CHILDREN, AND THE EFFECTS OF HOME INFLUENCE ON THE WORK OF THE TEACHER. By Mrs. Hutchinson. (Darton and Co., 1854.)-Educational works are amongst the most important elements of instruction; from their teachingwhether it be afforded in sage morality or inGOOD NIGHT! GOOD NIGHT, BELOVED! judicious surface-knowledge-the character is Serenade. Words by H. W. Longfellow: Music frequently formed, the tone of mind imbibed, by Frances Susanna Bigg. (Published as above.) and the results of a life carried out. The little-An inharmonious air, in five sharps. How can work before us is entitled to praise; for it is sound in precept, and aims at the highest standard for the inculcation of the highest duties. The great error of a harsh and cruel instruction is this lady, who has written some really sweet melodies, have fallen into the mistake of composing anything so crude and unsatisfactory? We shall expect better things of her in future. AMUSEMENTS OF THE MONTH. Since our last dramatic précis, the principal feature has been the return of Miss Cushman to the English stage at the HAYMARKET, where she has appeared in the characters of Mrs. Haller, Bianca, and Meg Merrilies. We are old playgoers, as our readers will own, when we tell them that we witnessed the first representation of Milman's "Fazio" at Covent Garden, on the 29th March, 1818. Youth is a kindly critic; and what we then thought a faultless play, time and experience (sad magnifying glasses, which show the wrinkles on the fairest faces, imperceptible to the casual gaze) have taught us to consider a morbid and ill-constructed melodrama. Nevertheless "Fazio " has kept its place on the stage, and so long as actresses like Miss O'Neil, Miss Glyn, and Miss Cushman are willing to display their powers in the difficult and fatiguing rôle of Bianca, "Fazio" will continue to attract. There is a passionate force in Miss Cushman's execution of the part, which startles by its terrific nature more than it fascinates by its pathos. She is earnest in all she does, and the ease with which she undertakes the assumption of the most trying phases of passion, is the fullest evidence of her complete command over the highest walks of the tragic drama. Her deficiency in graceful action and her want of personal beauty are disregarded in her vivid personation of Meg Merrilies; nor can we imagine that anything in the whole range of histrionic representation can surpass her in that character. It is a thing to see and hear, pictorially magnificent as a draught of "eye-drink," thrillingly in harmony with truth and nature, as an evidence of what voice and expression can effect in touching the feelings. "Guy Mannering" is an admirable novel, but it has become a meagre melodrama in the hands of the playwight. Nevertheless, such acting as Miss Cushman's, and such music as it is stored withal, make it a treat at the Haymarket in which we advise all to indulge. On the offnights we are favoured with a new" comic drama, entitled "Ranelagh." It is an adaptation from the French, by Mr. Palgrave Simpson, though the bills do not avow that fact. One of our contemporaries condemns it as "immoral and dull;" another lauds it as "brilliant and effective." It is at any rate lively, if slight; and merry, if not promising a long life. At the LYCEUM, affairs seem to be in no unusual condition of monetary disorder. During several days of the early part of the month its doors have been closed, its managers in confusion, and its members in consequent dismay. Several of the most talented of the company have, we hear, seceded; and we can only hope that, before the termination of the month, things may be so arranged as to prove satisfactory to all whom it most concerns, | THE KENSINGTON CONVERSAZIONI. A society has for some short period existed, under the title of "The Kensington Conversazioni for Art-purposes." It is composed of a number of artists and lovers of art, chiefly residing in and about Kensington, with Archdeacon Sinclair as President. We are informed that the object is to hold during the year a series of semi-public exhibitions of pictures, works of art, and other objects of interest allied to art, in places appointed by the council; to which meetings the friends of the artists, and patrons of art generally, may be specially invited. Sales at these classical synods are, however, prohibited. Four meetings were announced for the present season. The second réunion took place on the 9th February, at Campden House, the residence of W. F. Wolley, Esq., kindly placed at the disposal of the society by that gentleman. All the magnificent suite of reception-rooms (ten in number) were thrown and decorated with a profusion of the choicest open for the occasion, brilliantly illuminated, exotics. The apartments on the ground-floor works, which included the names of Ansdell, were appropriated to the exhibition of the artists' Sir A. Calcot, Creswick, Chalon, J. J. Chalon, Cooke, Cope, Egg, Frith, Horsley, Lewis, Phillips, Sir D. Wilkie, Webster, &c. Webster's two celebrated pictures of "The Play-ground" and "The Sliders" attracted particular attention, as well as the "Gipsy Mother" by and some beautiful landscapes by Calcot, Cooke, Phillips (we believe the property of her Majesty), and Creswick. There were upwards of five hundred persons present, including most of the rank and fashion now in London, who seemed highly delighted with the entertainment provided for them. The house itself is rich in historical association, and its collection of works of art and vertu afford ample subjects of interest to the antiquarian and cognoscenti. Campden House Hicks, afterwards created Viscount Campden by was erected in the year 1612, by Sir Baptist James the First. That monarch visited the house in 1615: the room in which he was entertained at dinner, with its magnificent carved panelling and rich ceiling, still remains in its original state. Charles the Second also dined in this room after the Restoration, and was splendidly entertained by Baptist, the third Viscount Campden. In 1691, the Princess of Denmark, afterwards Queen Anne, hired Campden House of the Noel family, and resided there with her son, the young Duke of Gloucester. At a very early age he formed a regiment of boys, chiefly from Kensington, who were upon constant duty at Campden House. King William and Queen Mary visited him, and were received by his juvenile regiment with military honours. The brave and loyal Earl of Lindsay died here in 1666, and in 105 the Earl of Burlington, an |