"Shortly after the publication of this volume, Mr. Campbell was invited to deliver a course of lectures on poetry at the Royal Institution. So highly were these esteemed, that their author was immediately engaged by Mr. Murray, of Albemarle Street, to undertake his selections from criticisms upon the British Poets." ART. XX.-Chemistry of Nature. By HUGO REID, Lecturer on Chemistry to the Glasgow High School. As a popular exposition of the chemical constitution and relations of natural objects, and as a general introduction to the study of chemical science, this little work is not surpassed by any elementary book connected with any science that is to be met with. Its classification is explicit, its matter is comprehensive and sound, and its illustrations of facts and principles are striking. The lecturer's habits as an instructor of the young in one of the most interesting departments of nature, have evidently harnessed him for the admirable performance of the task embraced by the title of the book before us. It will, no doubt, become a universal favourite in schools and among beginners in chemical studies. ART. XXI.-The Chess-Board Companion; containing the Laws of the Game: the Value and Power of the Pieces : Remarks on the most approved Methods of Beginning the Game: with numerous Examples, &c. Written expressly for the use of Beginners, &c. By W. LEWIS, pp. 111. London: Bailey. 1837 EVERY chess-player, be he a tyro or considerably advanced in his knowledge of the game, will deny himself the aid of an extremely useful and judicious assistant if he goes without this companion. Mr. Lewis, we believe, is one of the greatest proficients that is anywhere to be met with, in respect of the most scientific of pastimes. It may be expected, therefore, that while his instructions on the subject are plain, his enthusiasm in its behalf will be such as to make his pen impart a similar warmth to his directions; and the expectation will be completely verified by all who will consult his pages. ART. XXII.-Gems of Beauty, &c. By E. T. PARRIS; with Fanciful Illustrations by the COUNTESS of BLESSINGTON. London: Longman. LAST month we had space only to speak in general terms of this superb volume, and therefore we promised to return to it. Of the Designs it must be said, that they are very characteristic of the style of Mr. Parris, which is saying little less than that they are original: original, where the subjects could scarcely be supposed susceptible of any new light. Here we have the twelve honest passions, most of them figuring in feminine guise, and conveying with more or less fidelity and force, the soft and tender conditions of human emotion, as well as the rugged and stern. The artist has very successfully introduced certain adjuncts, that greatly enhance the interest and speaking power of his figures. Thus Jealousy is associated with the moon in its wane, and Affection presents a group, where a dog adds finely to the sentiment of the design. In Anger, which appears to us to be the most happily treated of all the twelve, a pouting girl and her duenna are associated. The light-house in Hope, and vessels in the distance, serve by simple yet expressive signs to raise the idea intended, and to guide the mind to trains of thought that make up a poem. But if Beauty's Gems as conceived by Mr. Parris are brilliances, what term shall we find that will do justice to the Illustations, one and all of which possess the charm, which genius alone can throw around the least manageable subject? There is a playfulness and a pith in several of the pieces, which Lady Blessington seems never at a loss to unite, and that suits her purposes so well, that one cannot believe that any other range of thought or style of treatment could have been half so felicitous; and yet, it is impossible to feel otherwise than that the same powers and fancy could return again and again to the theme, every time varying their tone without exhaustion, and on each occasion, for the time being, seeming superexcellent. Such is the fertility of her muse, such the triumphs of genius. We offer some specimens, and shall confine ourselves to the agreeable side of humanity. Take a few lines from the verses on Affection. "Affection!-seek her in a mother's heart: There dwells she shrined, from worldly guile apart: These lines must come home to many a mother's bosom, because they are the offspring of feeling, and are true to nature. The poem on Hope, is perhaps still more striking, and yet there cannot be a more common-place subject. Hope. (Far away Contempt and Pride,) Who could break thy wand?-not I— Lady Blessington's command of appropriate imagery, and the beautiful creations which she has transplanted to these pages, may be farther seen to great advantage in the following lines on Cheerfulness. "Spirit with bright and gladsome mien, With eyes that shine, and cheeks all glowing, Thy pleasure-ground, those nooks unseen, Where even old shepherds scarce have been. And rich Pomona, like a bride Crowned with earth's luscious treasures, brings Fain would I leave my cares behind, And lured on by the balmy wind, Seek out thy haunts remote and green, ART. XXIII.-Bathurst's Notes on Nets. London: VAN VOORST. 1837. WHO would have expected that so much could have been said about nets, as is to be found in this volume; or that a man of rank and a clergyman, even the Honourable and Reverend Charles Bathurst, could have been so deeply versed in not only the science but all the arts connected with netmaking? Yet so it is, for he has written an exceedingly entertaining and useful work on the subject. We presume that the museum of nets which he has formed, belonging to different nations and ages, is the largest and richest in the world. This curious collection, of course, has enabled him to treat in a systematic manner of the subject, which he does by showing the importance of nets; by writing their history; by recounting the technical terms, and explaining the implements connected with their manufacture; by showing how to construct a new net, or make an old one look as well as new; and by telling the reader how practically to use them. He has also displayed learning and ingenuity in regard to the philosophy of the subject, by explaining how art has found an instructress in nature; throughout the whole of the disquisition introducing amusing or grave reflections as well as facts, and furnishing one proof more of how much an enlarged and well informed mind, can aptly and strikingly erect upon a narrow, or apparently barren foundation. Few of our readers however, we dare say, are aware of the real extent and importance of nets in England. But some idea may be formed of the matter from the following statement. "Let the reader" says Dr. Bathurst, go on to Hastings-it is the fashion to go to Hastings now-and there he will find the beach completely carpeted with nets of different shapes and sizes lying to dry; or trawls, hanging from the masts of seventy or more vessels, and waving in the breeze, may be seen torn and wounded, after being engaged in their perilous voyages, in search of that great article of commerce which adorns the shops of our Groves and Goters at the West end. The nets alone of Hastings cost the owners 30007. per annum. The mackerel nets extend two miles in length, and those for herrings one mile. Their twine is procured from Bridport, and other distant places; added to this, there are boats, and wages, and losses, and wear and tear, to be taken into the account; so that when we look into the matter, we shall find there is some ado to get a dish of fish." See how much our author can make of one branch of his favourite subject, viz. net-mending. By amateur netters as well as others, this part of the art seems generally passed by unthought of and unheeded. The owners of fishing-nets, on the contrary, entertain great respect for a good mender, as the saving to them is enormous. "These observations lead me to a very interesting subject, as affording one of those little indirect proofs of the authenticity of the Gospel, which it is agreeable to trace when opportunity offers, although not perhaps of great importance. It is mentioned incidentally, Matt. iv. 21., that our Lord, walking along the sea of Galilee, saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother in a ship, with Zebedee their father, mending their nets.' From what has been said above, we see that mending is little thought of by persons in general-even by those, who one would imagine, from their having paid some attention to net-making, might have had their minds more alive to its usefulness; whilst the owner and the fisherman are fully impressed with its necessity. It would then I contend, never have occurred to the inventor of a fictitious tale to mention this trivial circumstance trivial to a person who is not engaged in fishing, but a most essential and natural occupation for one who is, to be found in, had it not really happened. An artful forger might perhaps, have said that James and John were making their nets, or casting their nets; but mending would have escaped his attention, or have been considered unworthy of notice in so important a work.” INDEX TO THE THIRD VOLUME OF THE MONTHLY REVIEW, FOR 1837. A. AARON, tomb of, described, 163 Abu Bekr, some account of, 40 Adelaide, virtues of Queen, 290 Admetus in Alcestis of Euripides, charac- Affection of the Eastlanders for their off- African nations, interior, compared with Agriculture, Spanish, how oppressed by Alcestis of Euripides, Major's edition of Alligators for sport, how used in India, American Indians, Mrs. Sigourney's, 436 Animal organs, Raspail on membranous Appeals to poets, an author's, 475 Archæological research respecting the Architecture of the Heavens, Nichol's, 118 Arnot, Hugo, notices of, 372 Arrest and imprisonment for debt, flagrant Asiatic cholera, characters attributed to, Assassination, account of a dastardly, 503 VOL. III. (1837.) Auber, his British Power in India, 537 B. BADEN, life at,[85; balls at, 86; cheap Banking, contradictory theories on, 128 Bastinadoed Arab, gratitude of a, 342 Battle-field on paper, specimen of a, 530 Bedford and its vicinity, much indebted to Beethoven, Bettine's account of, 390 Bernard's Case on the 43rd Elizabeth, Biblical Cabinet, vol. xxi., Clark's, 614 Biscayans, superior qualities of the, 6 Blakey, R., his Moral Philosophy, 584 Bokhara, exports from Russia to, 114 Bombardment in the dark, splendid effect Bows and Arrows, tale about, 549 U U |