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at the close of the ball, felt his spirits excited to a delirium of happiness which forbade all hopes of repose.

companied only by a few priests, when, on arriving at the extremity of this bridge, he saw erected, on the end of its western parapet, a statue of white marble, representing, in exquisite workmanship, a man of ideal beauty, clad in the garb of a Roman senator. The lines and angles of the stone were sharp, as if the hand of the sculptor had just given them the last finish, but here and there green stains were visible on the white surface as if it had lain long in the water. To the Pope's enquiry, the workmen replied that this statue had been dragged out of the water by a body of men employed to seek materials for the bridge, just as the last stone was about to be laid on the structure; that a stranger of majestic appearance, who chanced to be passing at the moment, had, on inspecting it, declared it to be a talisman, formed in the same planetary hour in which the foundations of the old city had been laid. They added, that they had placed the image on its present pedestal by the advice of the stranger, he having informed them, that, so long as it remained erect, their city would continue to flourish in wealth and warlike supremacy. The Pope enquired after the mysterious stranger, but no one could tell whither he had gone, and no one could remember that he had ever been seen before. Adrian stood some moments, sunk inbounds up towards their master's saddle, how much they painful reflection, and then, as if involuntarily, exclaimed, "The Evil One has them yet in his grasp !-Warlike supremacy! ay, but purchased at the expense of domestic peace !?

He had accompanied the last of his young companions to the outer gate of the palace; and as he gazed, when left alone, on the dazzling white, and lofty proportions of the neighbouring buildings; how they stood cool, motionless, and dreamlike, in the breezeless moonlight, the throbbing of his veins became painful, from the contrast with the beautiful tranquillity that reigned around him. He felt the necessity of some active employment to concentrate his vagrant fancy, of a plunge into the cool atmosphere, to brace his fevered frame. He beckoned to his page, who waited for him within the shadow of the doorway, whispered something in his ear, and few minutes had elapsed, when Buondelmonti rode out through the Oltr' Arno door, which opened to him at all hours. The sun's disk rested on the outline of the Apennines, and his first level golden rays fell upon a youthful rider and milkwhite steed, from whom a long shadow was cast up Vall' Ombrosa, over the dewy grass. The rider bore him easily upon the high-spirited, prancing brute: a hooded falcon sat upon his wrist; two sinewy dogs ran on before, but returned every moment, to express, by huge loved him, and enjoyed their present excursion. The sun rose higher and higher in the heavens; and when, from his mid-day height, he looked down upon Vall' Ombrosa, no longer cool and dewy, but silent and sultry, without one breeze in motion, or one cicada in song, he looked on their way. Buondelmonti had now reached that part of the valley where the wood that creeps down the side of the enclosing mountains reaches to the very margin of the brook. Gladly he leaped from his steed, at the verge of the forest, and, determined to remain till evening beneath its umbrageous shade, walked carelessly on through one of its many alleys, the branches closing like some cathedral aisle above his head, his feet sinking to the ankles in the tawny moss at every step he took. The falcon still sat upon his wrist, his faithful dogs ran on by his side, lolling out their tongues, his milk white steed followed his steps, lighting up the dark recesses of the wood as it paced along.

Charles and Adrian had both reposed in their graves for centuries. The empire of the one had been dismem-down upon the huntsman, his hawk and dogs still holding bered, and not even a fragment of it remained in the possession of his descendants. Bold and daring spirits had arisen, and questioned the lawful supremacy of the other's successors. There was confusion in temporal dynasties, from the conflicting claims of those who aspired to be ralers there was confusion in the spiritual kingdom, from the contests of contemporary popes, anathematising each other, and all in their turn struggling against the encroachments of the emperor. The allegiance of nations was divided-men knew not to whom obedience was due, and as drunkards, groping in the dark, are always most ready to quarrel, so, in the giddiness and uncertainty of the period, were feuds more rife than in any former generation. The fortunes of Florence had, in part, justified the prediction of the mysterious astrologer the commerce of the earth poured into her gates the neighbouring towns, and proud baronial halls, had bowed beneath her sword. Still there was peace and brotherhood within her walls. But the statue of Mars yet stood in cold and heartless beauty on her bridge, and the ancients of the city, as they looked upon its lineaments, and thought of the restless spirit of their age, repeated to each other, with apprehension, the disjointed words which had broke from Pope Adrian when told of its erection. The young and light-hearted laughed, it is true, at these forebodings, but even they could not altogether divest themselves of the feeling that some change was at hand.

Buondelmonti stood before the gate of his father's palace. Its walls had that night witnessed one of the brightest and most joyous festivals that ever had been celebrated in Florence. The young nobleman, to whom had been left the management of the feast, had been, as it were, present at once in all quarters of the dazzlingly lighted, and richly perfumed halls. One moment he was to be seen threading the mazes of the dance, his hand pressing the slender fingers of some Florentine beauty, behind whose rustling onward motion the air closed with enamoured haste the next, he approached to interchange a compliment with some dark-eyed dame, whose eloquent blood darkened even the deep brunette of her features as he approached. As the butterfly sports from flower to flower, so had he fluttered from dame to dame; but the flatterer of women cannot escape from at least a portion of the intoxication he communicates, and Buondelmonti,

Wrapt in the half-conscious reverie of a wearied man, he had thus penetrated a considerable way into the wood, when his progress was arrested by a pleasing sight. The alley, along which he had been advancing, suddenly widened, and was as suddenly closed by a range of tall rocks. The amphitheatre thus formed was floored with rich verdure, interspersed with flowers. A few openings among the branches overhead admitted some straggling rays of light, which diminished the shade without lessening the grateful coolness. A female figure was stretched upon the grass, her elbow on the ground, her forehead in the cleft of her hand, engrossed in a book which lay open before her. The delicate yet full contour of her limbs was beautifully indicated through her light muslin dress; and when, startled by the rustling of the dogs among the herbage, she turned an enquiring look upward, Buondelmonti saw an arched brow, covered by the fairest and most transparent skin, from either side of | which fell back clustering ringlets of paly gold. Two blue eyes, into whose innocent depths the spectator looked down till he saw the soul, lightened from beneath her long eyelashes, and oval cheeks rounded into a dimpling chin beneath a little mouth with pouting lips of deep ruby dye. At the sight of Buondelmonti, a crimson blush spread over her face, and down her neck, as far as her envious robes allowed it to be seen.

Buondelmonti recognised, in this nymph of the grotto, Eliza, the daughter of old Victor Amadei, a Florentine nobleman, distinguished alike for valour and statesmanship, but who had latterly lived much in retirement. Eliza had been seen but seldom in Florence; her beauty, however, was of that rare and delicate kind, which, once

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bat here she stopped, to enquire respecting some disturb
ances on the Pisan frontiers. When Buondelmonti rose
to depart, she insisted upon showing him'a suïte of rooms
which her husband bad lately caused to be furnished with
great splendour, and as they passed from one lofty hall
to another, ber conversation was garnished with almost
incessant sneers at Eliza and all her connexions. These
were, at first, covert an
and delicate innuendos, but gradually
they became more daring, while Buondelmonti, peculiarly
accessible to this sort of ridicule, strovę, but in vain, to
change the subject.
The last room of the
f the suite was smaller than the rest,
but of the finest proportions. Its walls were hung with
rich festoons of crimson silk. The floor was covered
with Persian carpets. Light was admitted through ́á
window of painted glass. But the attention of Buon-
delmonti was withdrawn from the Inxury of the apart-
ment, to concentrate itself upon a female figure which
started from a low couch at his approach." She was tall,
and of regal port; and her rich garments, falling in ample
folds around her, and a coronet of flashing jewels which
surmounted her high forehead, and were lost amid her
raven tresses, added to her queen-like appearance. Her
clasped hands hung down before her, There was
irresolution in her manner, as if she wished to fly, but
could not. Her breasts heaved convulsively her full
dark eyes (a tear hung trembling beneath either lid) were
turned imploringly upon Buondelmonti, while the blood,
rushing to her face, darkened the rich olive of her com-
plexion. "This," said the matron," is my daughter, whom
I once so fondly hoped to see thy bride, and who dies for
love of thee."

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beheld, is not easily forgotten. Buondelmonti accosted her respectfully, in order to dispel her fear, but it was not fear that so agitated her. During her brief and unfrequent visits to Florence, the Buondelmonti had been pointed out to her by her admiring relations, as the most handsome, the bravest, most generous, and, all in all, the most hopeful, of the young nobles of the city. She did not fall in love with him, for that was not the age when females were prepared, by the perusal of histories of that passion, to understand the first vague fluttering of the heart; and to fan, by indulgence in pleasing and anticipated emotions, the weakest spark into a flame. Still the recluse girl had not unfrequently cheated her solitary hours, by dwelling on the handsome form, and gallant bearing and amiable qualities, of the young hero. It was not, therefore, without a considerable degree of tremor that she now encountered him. There were still two long hours of the sultry time of day which Buondelmonti wished to spend in shelter; and he was not displeased at a rencounter, which promised him so happy a means of whiling them away. He insinuated himself, with the graceful ease of the courtier, into a conversation with Eliza; talked of the latest fêtes at Florence, looked at the book she had been reading, alluded to the occasions when he had seen her, and laughingly insinuated something about the impression she had made. Oh! who has evergazed in woman's face, and listened to the music of her voice, without being conscious of at least a momentary swell of a feeling richer than mere friendship? How, then, could Buondelmonti escape, in the voluptuous twilight of the grove, conversing with one whose maidenly agitation necessarily led the mind to dwell upon, such thoughts? The convertion insensibly grew more earnest and tenderer, and, before the limited time of his stay had elapsed, Bu elmonti was intreating a confession of mutual love, which the deep-blushing, down-looking girl, only withheld, not denied. I will this moment to thy father, and ask his consent. Ask it, then, here," said a deep voice behind him. To ngiy 941 mult The union was too advantageous for the families of both lovers, to cause much delay in arrangements; and a few weeks saw Eliza and her Buondelmonti betrothed, and looking forward to their final union. The happiness of Eliza was complete, and so, for a time, was that of Buondelmonti. But his heart had already lost the gene-sion thrust its way with difficulty through the crowd, its rous susceptibility and simple taste of youth. Accus tomed to move in the gay circles of Florence, and to indulge himself in every pleasing emotion, he began to feel a craving after the vanity and coquetry of his former life. He had not ceased to love Eliza, much less had he ever dreamed of yielding his heart to another, but he sought for excitement amid thronged assemblies, and found pleasure in the interchange of glances with dark eyes, and in those conversations of half-earnest, half-sportive gallantry, where the heart so easily deceives us. The mar-parties. The different incorporations of Florence, and riage day, however, approached,' nor did he wish it delayed.

66

One morning he rode through Florence towards the long bridge which leads to the Oltr Arno gate. As he passed the house of one of the wealthiest senators, the lady of the mansion beckoned to him from a window. A

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We draw a veil over Buondelmonti's shame. We despair of being able to paint the mixed emotions of vanity, good-nature, and passion, which combined to render him, in an hour of delirium, faithless to his vow. Next day was celebrated, in the dome of Florence, the marriage of Buondelmonti, to the heiress of the Senator Lambertucci. The windows and balconies were thronged with spectators. The streets were lined on either side by heaving masses of human beings, whose upturned faces seemed, to those looking from above, to float backward and forward, like weeds on the sea after a storm, before the waves have subsided. The thronged/ proces

loud music drowned by the shouts and gratulations which ran along the crowd at its approach, as flame ruins along a train of wildfire. First came the Gonfalionere and his attendants, guarding the huge ear, from which waved the massy folds of the white and rose-coloured standard of Florence. Then followed the banners of the six wards of the city, each with its band of defenders. Next came the bridal pair, hand-in-hand, surrounded by noble bridesmaids, and girt in by the bravest relations of both

page in waiting took the briose, while another become hers.

conveyed him to the saloon.

his

to a slight but elegant repast, talked widely of many things, glanced at his approaching marriage, wondered how his little rustic would support the high rauk to which he was about to raise her, and, before he could reply, was deep in the description of an approaching solemnity. Her daughter, she proceeded, after talking at great length about the minor arrangements, was to perform a conspicuous part. She appealed to Buondelmonti whether she had not reason to be proud of such a daughter, so lovely, so accomplished? She once had hoped to see her mated with the only man in Florence of whom she was worthy; the poor child's love, too, had been won by heartless attentions

most of the societies of brothers in-arms, followed, each having in its centre a flag, bearing its chosen device. It was a glorious day; and all seemed happy except the bride and bridegroom. There was a timorous apprehension in her gait, as if she already felt that the object she had ventured so boldly for, had lost its value by yielding to He walked like a man in a dream. Here and there, too, in the outskirts of the crowd, one of the Amidei might be seen, scowling as if he longed to revenge the pale and broken-hearted girl in Vall' Ombrosa; but the suddenness of the nuptials had left no time to take measures for defeating them, and Amidei had lived so much in retirement, that the citizens had all but forgotten him.

It might be about noon of the following day, that a large body of armed men assembled before the statue of the old warrior god, which stood at the end of the Arno Bridge. The heat of the day had driven the citizens to seek shelter in their houses. One of the malecontents muttered, in reply to a question whispered by a neighbour,

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Weep, ye Arcadian girls! and from your brow

Unbind the festive wreath of summer flowers;
Ah! what avails their sweetest fragrance now?
He comes no more-as once, in happier hours,
To hold his rural court in mead and grove,
And tune your hearts to melody and love.
Farewell! farewell! the unforgotten days

Of light and purity which Greece once knew ;
No more no more the god of gladness strays

Along his favourite haunts;-bright times, adieu! The hour has come-the fatal shaft is spedThe voice of song is o'er-the Silvan King is dead! H. G. B.

LITERARY CHIT-CHAT AND VARIETIES.

A WORK is announced, entitled "Tales of Other Days, by J. Y. A." It is to be illustrated by engravings, after designs by George Cruickshank.-Mr Moncrieff has in the press," Old Booty, or Founded on Fact;"' to be illustrated by Robert Cruickshank,

Charles Pult, Esq. of the Inner Temple, will publish, in a few days, an Essay on the Science of Legislation, in one volume 8vo. The mercantile world are to be favoured with the British Merchant's Assistant, by C. Green. This work contains Tables of Interest; of Premium and Discount on Exchequer Bills and India Bonds; and for ascertaining the value of English and Foreign stock. Mr Richard Vines, Veterinary Surgeon, has in the press a Complete Treatise on the Glanders and Farcy in Horses.

ANNUALS.-These elegant trifles are again taking the field. In our last we announced the "Friendship's Offering." This week we are called upon to notice the "Remembrance," a new candidate for public favour. It is to be edited by Mr T. Roscoe, Author of the Landscape Annual. It is dedicated, by permission, to Queen Adelaide, and contains a highly finished engraving by Engleheart, from an authentic portrait of her Majesty. The rest of the embellishments, consisting of a mixture of historical and landscape subjects, are:Windsor Castle-the Orphans-the Lady and her Bird-the Forum Romanum (by Turner)-the Butterfly and the Flowers-Coliseum at Rome (by Prout)-Warwick Castle-Girl, at the Brook-John Gilpin (by Stothard)-Mont Blanc, from Val d'Aosta. The list of contributions is particularly rich in names of eminent females. Its size is the same with that of Friendship's Offering, and it is bound in Arabesque morocco.-Ackermann's "Forget-me-Not" is already perfect and dispatched for India. Martin, Westall, and Landseer, contribute among others to its embellishments.

CHIT-CHAT FROM LONDON.-The managers of the London University have given notice that performances are to commence at the great house, on the 1st of November, notwithstanding the misunderstandings among some of the leading performers.-The Geological Society informs the public that it "experiences not the slightest dif. ficulty in finding room for the many curious objects given them by the King," This is a broad hint to such as may wish to attain the immortality of Donors to the Institution.-The Court Journal remarks that" Cumberland Lodge, previously to its being fit for a royal residence, must undergo a radical repair." This is courtly language,

CHIT-CHAT FROM GLASGOW.-It is with sincere concern that I have to announce to you the confirmed and hopeless lunacy of the great champion of the" Provincial Bar of Scotland." The first symptom of his melancholy disease which evinced itself, was his pertinacity in insisting at a large public assembly that Sir Walter Scott was a vulgar writer. The next circumstance that struck his friends, was his running up and down the Trongate all day, catching hold of every person he met by the button, and assuring them, with marks of the strongest indignation, that there was a conspiracy among the inhabitants of Edinburgh to persuade the world that their neighbours in Glasgow were not genteel. He attempted to prove this strange assertion by the facts that Bailie Blackwood had once behaved rudely to him, and that Mr Jeffrey would not admit his claim to be considered a member of the Faculty of Advocates. The fever and delirium has since increased to such a height, that his friends have found it necessary to confine him to his room. He will not, however, remain in bed, but paces the floor incessantly, muttering to himself, "My name is Douglas'-ay, old John, thou were't a classical poet-Scott, Jeffrey, ⚫ names which high heaven ordained should never meet'-new holy alliance against the Provincial Bar of Scotland-and against me its representative-vulgarity-oak cudgels are not blackwood-since I am grown genteel, I must purge, and live cleanly'-punch and punning not gentlemanly-Modern Athens-what though I do live in

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the Gallowgate a man's a man for a' that.'" The medical man who attends him declares that the only case recorded in his books, in the least degree analogous, is that of John Dennis. CHIT-CHAT FROM ABERDEEN.-Dr William Henderson, of Marischal College, has published, with additions, a translation of a Notice respecting Alexander Emperor of Russia, from the French of

Empeytaz.-Mr Woodford, A.M. of King's College, who lately published a Latin Rudiments in Edinburgh, is about to bring his system to the test of experiment, by opening a classical school in Aberdeen, -Mr Ramage has announced his intention of giving a popular Course of Lectures on Natural Philosophy and Astronomy, in his Hall in George Street; the course to commence early in November.-Dr Burns from Paisley preached a very eloquent and impressive sermon in our parish church, in behalf of the Glasgow North American Colonial Society, which has an Auxiliary here.-We have had no Exhi bition of Paintings this summer.

CHIT-CHAT FROM INVERNESS.-A great deal of guzzling, duly sprinkled with the intellectual spice of really good speeches, has been going on here of late. In the burgh itself we have had election dinners and balls. At Cawdor Castle, the Earl gave a ball to his tenants.-The Inverness tenants of the Earl of Moray gave themselves a dinner.-Among other gaieties, Strathpeffer Spa has been numerously attended this season.-The report goes, that on his Majesty's expected visit to Scotland, the remainder of the attainted peerages are to be restored; and among others, Lovat, Seaforth, and Cromarty.-Improvements are projected in our Northern Infirmary on the banks of the Ness.-Dr Burns of Paisley has been preaching in the Gaelic church here, in aid of the Glasgow North American Colonial Society-the object of which is to send out ministers of the Church of Scotland to those of our countrymen who, having crossed the Atlantic, have no opportunity of worshipping their Maker after the simple, but impressive, form of their forefathers,

CHIT-CHAT FROM ELGIN.-A subscription is at present going on for enabling the Trustees of Gray's hospital here to erect within the grounds of that Institution, a Pauper Lunatic Asylum, for the town and county.-The Rev. Dr Burns of Paisley preached lately in the church of Elgin, in behalf of the Glasgow Society for sending ministers of the Church of Scotland to the settlers in British North America. The Messrs Blaikie of Aberdeen have set up an establishment in Elgin, for the manufacture of sheet lead, &c.-The cen tral committee in Elgin, for managing the "Moray Flood Fund," are desirous of presenting silver medals to the gallant boatmen on the rivers Spey and Findhorn, who exerted themselves in saving the lives and property of their brethren, on the memorable 3d and 4th August 1829. As soon as the necessary sum for carrying this laudable intention into effect is collected, the medals will be struck, and one delivered to each boatman, with his name and service engraved on one side, and an appropriate medallic commemoration of the great Moray flood upon the other.-The Misses Isabella and Eliz Paton have announced their intention of giving concerts in Forres, Elgin, and Banff, on their return southward from the northern meeting at Inverness.

Theatrical Gossip.-The following performers are stated to form part of the Drury Lane company for the ensuing season :-Macready, Wallack, Cooper, Liston, W. Farren, Dowton, Harley, Sinclair. Miss Chester, Mrs Glover, Mrs Bunn, Mrs Waylett, (for the characters supported last year by Vestris ;) and a young lady, a pupil of Sir G. Smart, to appear in Opera.-Munden is reported to be in treaty with Covent-Garden; at which theatre Mrs Gibbs is to undertake Mrs Davenport's characters. Among the novelties promised at this house is Francis the First, a historical tragedy by Miss Fanny Kemble, in which it is said Charles Young is to perform, previously to his taking leave of the stage. It is stated that Pasta, Rubini, Lablache, and Lalande, are all engaged for the King's Theatre; but considerable doubt is entertained of the correctness of the report as far as the first is concerned.-The Haymarket theatre keeps open till the 15th of October.-Kean has been performing at Gloucester, Tewkesbury, and Cirencester.-Mathews has had but indifferent luck in his provincial" at Homes."-Macready performed at Margate to houses averaging £5 a-night, The elections are blamed for these strange events.-Master Burke is performing at Liverpool, for a limited number of nights, previously to his sailing for the United States.

TO OUR CORRESPONDENTS.

THE Sonnet from Altnacruagh is good, but too much like other sonnets." R. A." is under consideration.-We may give "An Hour for Song," when next we don our SLIPPERS.-We must decline the "Sketch of the Ancient Mythology.”—” P. C." must study smoothness, and then.-Our Stonehaven Correspondent's verses are scarcely polished enough.—“ G.'s" verses are correct and harmonious,-but in a young writer, we could better tolerate the harshness which indicates original thought struggling for utterance. -"Our usual Glasgow Correspondent," much to our regret, was too late of coming to hand.-The Cowgate bee-buzzes bonnily-lét Afn wait, and he'll see. ཧོ ཛིཝཾ ཙ

ERRATA IN THE ARTICLE ON THE DIGAMMAIN OUR LÄST.—Page 190, for régyov, Térés, rávag, read Figyor, Fitos, Frsag; for Γειδονται, read Fείδονται ; for Γέμεται, read Fέμεται ; for Syov, read Fov; for oy, read F; for y, read va Fuv; for vsyou, read seFo; for rory, read Forray; and for vacem read vocem.

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LITERARY CRITICISM.

Narrative of Discovery and Adventure in the Polar Seas
and Regions: With Illustrations of their Climate,
Geology, and Natural History; and an Account of the
Whale Fishery. By Professors Leslie and Jameson,
and Hugh Murray, Esq. Edinburgh. Oliver and
Boyd. 1830. (Edinburgh Cabinet Library, No. I.)
THE subject of this volume is one of great importance,
aud it is treated in a manner at once interesting and in-
structive. The Polar regions-the source of much wealth
to Great Britain, the nursery of our most daring and
hardy seamen-form as it were a part of our native
land. Their history is one of intense interest, from the
magnificent scale upon which nature there conducts her
operations, and the spirit of beauty which she infuses
even into her most sterile creations. But this interest is
enhanced to a tenfold degree, by the occasions which the
tempests of the Pole afford for calling into action the
power and daring of the human mind. For the philoso-
pher also these, regions possess attractions, since it is in
them that he must seek the explanation of some of the
most obscure mysteries of science. Great additions have
been made of late years to our acquaintance with the
arctic regions, but the details are scattered through such
a multiplicity of books, that a work was imperiously
called for, which should render them accessible to the
majority of readers. This desideratum we are inclined
to regard as, in a great measure, supplied by the first vo-
lume of the Cabinet Library.

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tion as would have been necessary for this purpose; and the consequence is, that the dissertations upon climate side, like three independent works, in each of which the and geology, and the historical department, stand side by fessor Leslie's treatise ought to have been stripped of its same ground is, in a certain measure, gone over. historical form, and arranged as a mere statement of the rests; while, on the other hand, Mr Murray might have observations and experiments upon which his theory dispensed with certain volunteer elucidations of points of natural history, which are satisfactorily explained by one or other of his learned collaborateurs.

We may also ask, since we are upon the subject of arrangement, why Professor Jameson's chapter on geology is postponed to the end of the work, while Professor Leslie's, and the "distinguished naturalist's" treatise on

Animal and Vegetable Life," figure at the commencement? We suppose that the object of these dissertations is to afford the reader such an acquaintance with the phys sical phenomena of the Polar regions, as will enable him to enter with full understanding into the history of human adventure there. The proper arrangement would have been: First, Professor Jameson's chapter on geology; by which the reader is made acquainted with the geography (so far as it is known) of the Polar regions, and with the structure of their firm land. Next, Professor Leslie's chapter on climate. Lastly, the treatise on Animal and Vegetable Life. To the first two chapters ought to have been added, a summary of what is known respecting the streams and currents of the ocean in the arctic regions. This fall account of the natural history and geographical relations of that portion of the globe, would have prepared the reader for entering with a full understanding into Mr Murray's account of the inhabitants and visitants of these countries, which forms their civil history; and of the whale fishery, which may be regarded as their statistics.

The contents of the work are arranged under ten chapters. The first two contain :-Professor Leslie's dissertation on the climate of the Polar regions; and a treatise on their animal and vegetable life, which has been revised by a distinguished naturalist. The six subsequent chapters are devoted to a history of the progress of discovery in the extreme north-from the voyages of the earliest adventurers, down to Captain Parry's last enterprise. The ninth chapter contains a view of the north-son, at all acquainted with scientific pursuits, must be ern whale fishery; the tenth, an account of the arctic geology. This last is supplied by Professor Jameson, The historical portion of the work has been contributed by Mr Hugh Murray.

As we have some minute objections to urge against the form of the work, it may be as well to dispose of this subordinate consideration, before we enter upon that of its great and undoubted merits. In the first place, then, although we are fully aware of the value attaching to the important contributions of Professors Leslie and Jameson, we suspect that the manner in which the book has been got up neutralizes to a certain degree their importance. These treatises have an independent value,standing by themselves, they are important; but it was also requisite that they should be made duly subordinate to the main purpose of the work. It would, however, we suppose, have been inconsistent with literary etiquette, for Mr Hugh Murray to have ventured even to suggest to two such dignitaries of literature as the authors of these treatises, the necessity of such a modifica

We do not expect to be accused of laying too much stress upon mere form and arrangement; for every per

aware how much the acquisition of truth is facilitated by attending to mere external neatness and symmetry in the arrangement of a demonstration. Nay, every person who has paid the least attention to the cultivation of his mind, must feel how easily misconceptions flow from inatten tion, on the part of a teacher, to just order in conveying his instructions. But we confess that we have been the more anxious to point out the defects of the present volume, that we are desirous, in the first place, to see even such minor faults done away with in those which are to succeed, a series that promises to be so valuable; and that we think, in the second, we can point out the source of the evil. It is certainly an admirable arrangement, by which Messrs Oliver and Boyd have secured the co-operation of men eminent in science, each of whom is to contribute that portion of every work which his peculiar pursuits best fit him for executing. But the advantage to be derived from this arrangement will be effectually neutralized, unless they employ an editor who can, and dare, undertake such modifications on the different contribu

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