fication observed, and the nature of the pieces. The whole are illustrated with much curious and antiquarian learning, displaying at the same time a wide range of sound information. These rhymes recal much of the simplicity and sweetness of childhood, many of them being charged with a charming quaintness and a quiet humour; while not a few throw light upon the manners and modes of thought of our rude and stout-hearted ancestors. But one cannot but wonder how such fancies entered the heads of the ladies and nurses of the olden time as live in these ditties. Take one specimen :

"Of all the birds that ever I see,

The owle is the fayrest in her degree;

For all the day long she sits in a tree,

And when the night comes, away flies she!
Te whit, te whow!

Sir knave to thou,

This song is well sung, I make you a vow,

And he is a knave that drinketh now.

Nose, nose, nose, nose!

And who gave you that jolly red nose?

Sinamont and ginger, nutmegs and cloves,―
And that gave me my jolly red nose!"

ART. XXVIII.—A Collection of Problems in Illustration of the Principles of Theoretical Mechanics. By WILLIAM WALTEN, B.A.

JUST such a book as might be expected from a batchelor of arts, who has been bred in the meridian of Cambridge; but at the same time such a collection as we would as much strive in vain competently to handle, as to popularize. It is the furthest possible from being a book for the readers of light literature; it is not even intended for tyros in the study of Statics and Dynamics; for Mr. Walten's principal aim has been to offer facilities in the study of theoretical mechanics to those who have already overcome, at least the elementary difficulties of the subject; presenting a systematic collection of problems in illustration of the more important principles of the science, and thus also conducing to a practical familiarity with its historical developeMuch importance was attached by Leibnitz, D'Allembert, Euler, and other great discoverers of the mechanical theories, to the full discussion of numerous problems; but hitherto the want of a systematized collection of them perplexed and retarded the student. We are persuaded the void will be in a great measure filled by the elaborate and philosophic volume before us. If we may venture an opinion as to the style of illustration, we should say that it is remarkably neat as well as skilfully free, affording a good specimen of what may be called mathematical eloquence.

ment.

We have referred to the impossibility of rendering theoretical mechanics a subject for gratifying a popular interest. And yet there are curiosities connected with the study of the science, that would entertain the general reader. The problem of the Brachystochrone may be specified. It would

A A

be as unintelligible as Hebrew to the many, were we to introduce Mr. Walten's scientific explanation of what is meant by the learned term; but the following particulars are, as far as the anecdote goes, for the apprehension of all:-The problem of the Brachystochrone was proposed by John Bernoulli, as a challenge to the mathematicians of the day. Six months was the time allotted for its solution. Leibnitz was immediately successful, and communicated bis good fortune, by letter, to Bernoulli, who, in conformity with the desire of Leibnitz, consented to prorogue the term of the challenge to the following Easter, the results obtained by himself and Leibnitz being suppressed for that interval. A programme was accordingly published at Groningen, in January 1697, again announcing the problem, and repeating the challenge. In consequence of this delay, solutions were obtained by three other mthematicians; by Newton anonymously.

We need not quote a word about the difference or the merits of the solutions of a problem which deals with a class of mechanical curves, and where gravity is the accelerating force; but the passage in mathematical history may show to the ordinary reader, that the subjects treated in the present volume, are not for the unlearned in the exact sciences, the volatile, or the unpersevering.

ART. XXIX.—De la Voye's New French and English Lexicon. THIS shall be our French and English Dictionary; it will not be less serviceable and suggestive to him who has mastered the elements of the French language, than it is certainly calculated to be in schools and to beginners.

It is by far the most useful and ingenious work of the kind that we have met with, and must become a model for succeeding lexicographers, as well as a standard book itself in education wherever an intimate acquaintance with the English and French tongue is simultaneously desired; for, be it observed, while it must greatly facilitate the acquisition of the latter to him who can only speak the former, it cannot perform this office of teacher without stimulating and also satisfying the reasoning faculties, without initiating the learner into the science and mysteries of branches of grammar, and yielding constantly in the consciousness of practical advancement, the most encouraging rewards.

There is much that is original in the plan of this compact and portable volume, while the precision and accuracy of the manner in which the execution is followed out, not less justly claim our notice. The great feature of the work is the introduction of all the inflected forms of verbs and nouns that can seriously perplex the learner, and that stand in his way to the meaning of any part of speech, whether in a regular or an irregular shape, contracted or taken out of the ordinary course in any respect. By merely casting the eye at the top of each page, the student finds a sure and wideopening key to the solution of a multitude of difficulties; while the rules laid down for reference, with regard to words not to be found in dictionaries, are perspicuous and comprehensive beyond what we could have thought attainable. Nor must we fail to mention that the number of terms and technicalities, commercial, nautical, &c.-not met with in similar books, adds

considerably to the usefulness of the work. In a word, De la Voye's Lexicon will reduce the learner's efforts one half compared with any other help of the kind that we can name, and render the remainder in a great measure a labour of love; for it will be felt to be one of real and intelligible progression in regions of study akin, and in various senses superior, to those which new countries or strange scenes present. The discovery is beautiful, awakening, and lavishly remunerative, which a nation's mind and a nation's tongue can afford. When the student's labour is lightened and sweetened, can the teacher continue without equivalents?

ART. XXX-Bryant's Fountain and other Poems.

A SMALL volume of the well-known American poet, containing, besides miscellaneous pieces, sundry fragments from unfinished works; the whole elegantly written, smooth, and every way skilful, if poetry be confined to an apt choice of diction, to smoothness and fluency of versification, to skilful composition, and an expert use of the thoughts and manner of other authors. But with regard to originality of mind, or even terseness and vigour of style, this transatlantic bard merits but a very limited praise. True, he often sings of subjects that are new to us, and different from any that could have occupied the poets of Britain. But then we look in vain for impressions correspondingly and adequately novel, or evidence of a genius and imagination having been bred in other than the old world. The mere exterior of things appears to have caught the eye; the essence, characteristics, and the images, as well as the language, shaped according to the deeper discovery and appreciation, being wanting. "The Fountain" illustrates Bryant's defect, at the same time that it exhibits his art and skill as a verifier; for while the history,-the past, the present, and the probably future condition,of the theme is described, it is only, we think, as the fancy and the observation of an Englishman, equally skilled in the art of poetic construction, might have done, who had chanced to have his attention directed to the subject and its concomitants. All is graceful to be sure, and much there is that is obviously peculiar to the region, and to the necessities of the case. But where is the truth that is astoundingly or unmistakeably uttered for the first time, or that is so strangely beautiful and unexpectedly imposing, as can never lose its effect, if not upon your heart, at least in your recollections? We extract a sample, which depicts the progress of settlement, and which may serve as a test of Mr. Bryant's powers, taken in an original sense, as well as a test of his polished manner when viewed as an artist.

I look again a hunter's lodge is built,
With poles, and boughs, beside thy crystal well,
While the meek autumn stains the woods with gold,
And sheds his golden sunshine. To the door
The red man slowly drags the enormous bear
Slain in the chesnut thicket, or flings down
The deer from his strong shoulders. Shaggy fells
Of wolf and congar hang upon the walls.

And loud the black-eyed Indian maidens laugh,
That gather, from the rustling heaps of leaves,
The hickory's white nuts, and the dark fruit
That falls from the gray butternut's long boughs.
So centuries passed by, and still the woods,
Blossomed in spring, and reddened when the year
Grew chill, and glistened in the frozen rains
Of winter; till the White man swung the axe
Beside thee-signal of a mighty change.
Then all around was heard the crash of trees,
Trembling awhile and rushing to the ground,
The low of ox, and shouts of men who fired
The brushwood, or who tore the earth with ploughs.
The grain sprang thick and tall, and hid in green
The blackened hill-side; ranks of spiky maize
Rose like a host embattled; the buck-wheat
Whitened broad acres, sweetening with its flowers
The August wind. White cottages were seen
With rose-trees at the windows; barns from which
Swelled loud and shrill the cry of Chanticleer;
Pastures were rolled and neighed the lordly horse,
And white flocks browsed and bleated. A rich turf
Of grasses brought from far o'ercrept thy bank
Spotted with the white clover. Blue-eyed girls
Brought pails, and dipped them in thy crystal pool;
And children, ruddy-cheeked and flaxen-haired,
Gathered the glistening cowslip from thy edge,

THE

MONTHLY REVIEW.

MARCH, 1843.

ART. I.

1. Rambles in Yucatan. By B. M. NORMAN.

2. Life in Mexico, during a Residence of Two
try. By Madame C.
Hall.

DE LA B

3. Letters on South America. By J. P. and W. P. ROBERTSON, 3 vols. Murray.

WE shall not seek to give any very satisfactory explanation of the circumstances which have induced us to club into one paper the three works mentioned above. Something might be said about the identity of the continent to which each and all of these volumes of sketches . relate; and we might also advance a few words about the necessity of dispatching several works in one article, when they happen to have anything in common among them, at the time especially when the influx of books is large and the demands of all pressing. But, without any further preamble, we proceed to introduce those enumerated in the order given, and to back such observations as may have occurred to us, with the specimens that are deemed requisite.

Beginning, then, with the "Rambles in Yucatan," we have to remark, that Stephens's "Travels in Central America," and Bradford's "American Antiquities," have, within these few years, informed the public to a very considerable extent concerning a number of the wonderful monuments which our Rambler went to explore; they having been, in the MONTHLY REVIEW as well as in the other literary journals of the day, made the theme of speculation and description.. Besides, the reading world is aware that Mr. Stephens has renewed his archæological investigations in the province of Yucatan; not merely, it is understood, with the intention to describe the remains, but with a view to the removal of the more interesting and characteristic specimens to the United States, for the formation of a museum. When referring, however, to the purpose and process of removal, NO. III. (1843) VOL. I.

BB