ascent or progression," says he, " of a straight line ad infinitum; death the deviation from it. Gravitation may be called the death, or descent of matter from its most highly organized to its least organized state; and attraction the life, or ascent of matter from the last to the first or perfect condition." We are told that the origin of the planets, &c., " commenced with the first spark of electricity, elicited by friction in the centre of the ovum" of the diamond, of course. One of the curious things in this volume is that the discoveries which it describes are made plain by means of diagrams. But that we may at once set the question of the author's sanity at rest, we quote two short passages concerning balloons, &c.

A balloon rises in the atmosphere by throwing out ballast, and thus is made by its levity to rise above the ordinary confines of matter, and tower over the whole visible creation. Just so, man from the surface of his body, exhales the matter which would be destructive to his elasticity, and keeps up his living locomotive powers."

Again,

"There can be no doubt but that the labour of aëronauts will succeed if persevered in; for

'Man's heart th' Almighty to the future sets,

By secret and inviolable springs.'

"The human mind, by this time, will comprehend, from the perusal of the preceding pages, how a remnant of the virtuous portion of mankind may be saved alive in the last day by the very powerful invention of balloons. Ere the awful termination of the present abode of man, let us hope we may see the surrounding atmosphere spotted and illumined by moving vessels of every description, as we now behold them on the waters. Here, then, is excitement for genius and talent to unite in every possible way. Not a moment should be lost in devising the means of preservation from the impending danger."

ART. XV.-The London Flora. By ALEXANDER IRVINE. London: Smith and Elder.

1838.

We have here a catalogue which has every appearance of having been drawn up in the course of diligent, accurate, and we may add, enthusiastic investigation and study. Unlike many botanical lists which are far more dry and barren than an abridged Johnson's Dictionary, the notices of precise localities and remarkable scenes lend to the catalogue a peculiar interest which the practical inquirer who may have time to follow the author's route will particularly enjoy. This route, let it be borne in mind, is one of very considerable extent, while it affords no small diversity of specimens belonging to the science treated of. We may mention that Southampton forms one boundary, and that according to an imaginary line the scope in other directions is equally ample.

Besides the lists and the local descriptions, the author has given an able and comprehensive introduction by which the general laws of the physiology of plants, their geographical distribution, &c., may be understood and rendered practically useful. The work, accordingly, forms a good substitute for a perambulating professor, and a learned lecturer.

ART. XVI.-Mental Philosophy; a Popular View of the Nature, Immortality, Phenomenon, and Conduct of the Human Mind. By R. MUDIE. London: Orr and Co. 1839,

We like the present volume much better than the ingenious and eloquent author's" Physical Man." This is less dogmatic, yet equally free from the trammels of Schoolmen, or the dull and abstruse reasoning of metaphysicians. Mr. Mudie is far from attempting to quench the feelings by his views, or seeking to construe the mental nature and capacities of man by regarding only a part of the indissoluble whole. His earnest search after truth, and the example he affords, at the same time, of independent reflection, render his work charming, even although one may differ from him on particular points; for, the exhibitory lesson, which is thus furnished, is valuable as well as engaging and influential.

ART. XVII.-An Address to the People; occasioned by "A Letter to the Queen," from A Friend of the People." By ONE OF THEMSELVES. London: Fraser. 1839.

THE author of this Address is in no respect a match for the writer of the much-talked of Letter to the Queen, which some have taken upon themselves to attribute to Lord Brougham. Not a few of the statements and opinions here set forth will prove extremely unpalatable to the liberal portion of its readers. The author is, in fact, not only an ultra-Tory, who has no tolerance for those who take to themselves the modern and more moderate appellation of Conservatives, but he stands up like a bigot in behalf of the divine institution and rights of Kings. Religion is largely and in a maudlin manner pressed into the pamphlet. We quote a speci men of the production:—

"The question really at issue in all lands now is, whether the blessings of government proceed from God or man, from heaven or from earth, from above or from below. Now the idea of government proceeding from the people is a pure Irish bull. The people are the persons to be governed, and it requires as much wisdom to submit to be governed, as to govern. The community can only be blessed by every one doing his duty in the state of life in which it has pleased God to call him.' If the nobles take to gambling, horse-racing, or preaching in conventicles, they are equally unholy in not fulfilling the particular duties which God has appointed for them. If garrulous old men, well stricken in years,' take upon themselves to give counsel to the Sovereign, they will give bad counsel, for it will not have emanated from God, but from themselves, or from the devil. Now the wisdom and counsel which Sovereigns and all other men need, is not human wisdom, but the counsel which comes from God: and God communicates this counsel only by certain channels, which he has ordained for this end; and even by these channels not all in the same measure, but a greater measure through one than through another. Yet as there is no baptized person, nay nor no heathen man, since he too is redeemed, but who contains in him some measure of truth, a wise King may get a measure of light from every one, provided it comes to him in a lawful way, and not in an unlawful way; not springing from the vanity and garrulity of childhood, first or second. And if old age and knowledge

of politics were sufficient qualifications to constitute an infallible adviser, the devil would be the best, for he is older than any of us, with far more cunning and experience and every man may rest assured that in whatever he does, if he he not serving God, if he be not a channel by which God is acting, he is an agent of the devil, whatever seeming good, or piety, or even religion, there may be in the act which he is performing." We copy, in addition, two short sentences. As a republic is a great theological, so must it be shown out as a great political lie. Heaven is a kingdom, not a republic; and its ordinances are monarchical, admitting of no dissenters nor schismatics." This puts us in mind of the extravagance of the author of Archbishop Sharp's Life, lately noticed by us.

ART. XVIII.-Ure's Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures, and Mines. London: Longman. 1839,

THIS work, so full of scientific and practical instruction, is advancing at a steady pace towards completion. Its celebrated author shows how engage ing a perfect mastery may render subjects which heretofore have been made repulsive, not merely to the general reader, but to the student of particular processes, the principles of which he may professionally be required thoroughly to understand. In the Fourth Part, for instance, we find beautiful illustrations of our meaning under such terms as Cutlery Distillation, Embroidery, Fireworks, &c. When completed the work will present one of the richest treasures that the present advanced state of the national mind has furnished and produced.

ART. XIX.-Travels in Town. By the Author of "Random Recollections of the House of Lords," &c. &c. 2 vols. London: Saunders and Otley. 1838.

HERE we have Mr. Grant again in his best trim. The "Town," of course, is the "Great Metropolis," which, we are sure, was never so variously and thoroughly threaded and described by any former writer. We have at present, among other papers, accounts of the Parks, of Tattersall's, of the British Museum, and of religious sects. On this last subject the author has exhibited unusual earnestness and spirit. We recommend the picture to the study of Mr. Stephen, who in his life of Archbishop Sharp, has allowed bigotry to blind him to truth, historical and doctrinal, till he becomes quite outrageous. Whatever Londoners may think of particular points and details in these volumes, we may safely affirm that they convey sententious and significant sketches of all that such an indefatigable painter can be expected to have access to in regard to the matters introduced; so that country readers may rest assured, there is no other substitute but a long residence in Town and diligent investigation while there, that can supply equally accurate and amusing information on the numerous remarkable subjects which have here and in former works engaged our author.

ART. XX.

1. Janet; or Glances of Human Nature. By the Author of " Misrepresentation." 3 Vols. Saunders and Otley.

2. Love's Exchange. A Tale. By Ca. J. BOYLE. 3 Vols. London: Longman.

OUR readers who are fond of fiction must be content this month with a short notice of two of the best novels that have lately appeared. The first of these professes to be " the second of a series of Tales of the Passions," taking Miss Austen as a model. We believe the writer to be a young lady; but whoever he or she be, the work is one of superior merit, while it greatly surpasses the former named in the title by the same hand. The story is made up of such incidents and feelings as characterize every-day life. The Passion which it is intended to illustrate is Envy, and the points evolved are simply, plainly, naturally, and earnestly treated. The characters belong chiefly to classes in the genteel but embarrassed walks of life. There are abundant proofs that the writer is a close observer of mankind and manners, habitually reflective, and a good natured satirist. The dialogue is often particularly clever and effective; and the descriptions though shunning the gloss and tinsel of what are called fashionable novels, or tales of fashionable and gay society, are for the most part happy. The probable nature of the story and its numerous incidents, and the excellence as well as force of its lessons render the production valuable and entertaining. We introduce one short extract :

"Why are not happy marriages more frequent? One, who knew something of human nature, of its dark shades at least, would reply by pointing to that species of conventional hypocrisy modern society imposes on its members. Nor is he altogether wrong; we are all automatons, and the springs which move us are hidden, sometimes from ourselveshow then shall others penetrate our secret motives, or guess them different than our actions would declare?

"But it is not only that marriages take place under false impressions; in forming such connexions there is frequently a want of reciprocal affection. If there be any love at all in the business, (and by the way, that necessary ingredient to wedded happiness is often omitted altogether), it is all on one side. A man may marry the woman of his choice, or vice versa, but rarely do both consult their inclinations. A girl, whilst still under parental tutelage, refuses or accepts, not as her heart, but, as her friends dictate; and, in later days, when her own mistress, she marries any one who asks her, because, in her buffetings about the world, she has felt the want of a protector; or because she has not moral fortitude to bear the obloquy of being an old maid. And a man marries from pique, whim, to advance himself in his profession, or to pay his debts. When, therefore, the doting wife, who finds herself forsaken, rails at the fickleness of man, it were more just, perhaps, did she suspect that she had never been beloved. And the indulgent husband, whose affection meets with no adequate return, may nearly always be assured that the jewel he vainly seeks to win has long ago been parted with."

"Love's Exchange" is by a new adventurer in the realms of fiction, we believe; at least we are not aware that Mr. Boyle has ever before acknowledged himself to be the author of a novel, although we understand that Miss Mary Boyle, who has given good promise, is his sister VOL. I. (1839.) No. II.

Y

thus showing that a kindred genius and tendency run in the family. The plot in "Love's Exchange" appears to us to be exceedingly well contrived and sustained; the writing is smooth and correct, and the dialogue skilfully cast, never lagging or falling short of its intended purpose. The . tale carries the reader back to the times of Queen Anne, and is full of truthful pictures. We copy one, viz., of a favourite and enthusiastic fal

coner:

"Upon the wall, under this window, were suspended a motley assemblage of the dead. Polecats, stoats, weasels, owls, and other species of vermin, were nailed up, not only, as if it were deemed thereby impossible to offend any one of the senses, but disposed with a certain degree of order and attention, that bespoke vanity in their destroyer, even when arranging the putrid carcasses of his victims. Hitherto, on entering the humble dwelling, he had found the falconer confined to his seat, though, for all that, busily employed in the education of a young hawk. As he now once more lifted the latch, and pushed open the low door, he discovered the leg to be so far restored to its former health and activity, that it no longer reposed on the flat surface of an oaken bench. Bernard was altogether in quite a different attitude: he knelt upon the floor, before a short perch, on which stood the hooded bird, which he seemed to be in the act of worshipping, rather than instructing. 'Oh, the brave baggage! the dainty jade! the sweet slut!' cried Bernard, on a sudden, as is ever welcome visitor stood before him on the threshold of his secluded dwelling. Look ye, Master Maurice! look ye! See how gallantly she steps from off her perch upon my fist, and back, and without a thought of bating from me. Have ye, pretty mistress? eh! cunning one; have ye then?' he continued, playing with the bird.

You are an

apt hussy, and shall be set to the line right soon.' And, as he ran on in a similar strain, his eyes glistened with delight, and sparkled with scarcely less of brilliancy, than those of the plumed favourite beneath her red hood. Why, Bernard, man,' exclaimed his young master,' you throw away as much honeyed talk, and as many coaxing words, as if a sweetheart, in good truth, stood before you.' Bernard smiled, and again enticed the bird upon his hand. At any other time such a sight would have been hailed with joy by Maurice, have called forth exclamations of loud delight, or questions as to the manner of treating the numerous pupils; but, just now, his thoughts dwelt more with those for whom the iron rule of instruction had been laid aside-hawks, whose gallant prowess, and ready obedience in the fields of air, had been put to the test, and only repaid each repeated trial the more thoroughly. It was, consequently, to his no small satisfaction, that, after the usual inquiry, the falconer declared one day more to be all the rest he required for his hitherto refractory limb, and that the next, an' it pleased Master Maurice, should not find him wanting at his usual post.' These good tidings were conveyed to Maurice in a whisper, for a strange step had first attracted the scholar's attention, and she presently started at the sound of another voice in the cottage. In an instant, abruptly quitting the pedagogue's arm, she sprang back to her wooden perch, whilst, to Bernard's discomfiture, a feather or two began to ruffle. Tut, tut, baggage! he exclaimed, as pettishly as an offended coquette, and holding forth a bit of raw meat close to the affrighted favourite's beak and with his other hand gently