of an English education. One Impey, a London lawyer, Farquhar's correspondent, takes charge of the boys and places them at the Minerva House, a shool kept by his brother-inlaw Dr. Vyse. The boys grow up, and Walter Farquhar, a bold youth, takes into his head to run away. Impey deems it proper to conceal the circumstance, and afterwards carries the deceit so far as to represent to the Farquhars that their son is an articled clerk in his own office.

Suddenly it is announced that the Farquhars are in England, and Impey finds no better means of getting out of the scrape than to persuade Hugh Burgoyne, the Major's son, who is still at shool, to personate Walter Farquhar. The plan is accordingly adopted, and Hugh is presented to his new parents, who declare him with one accord to be the very "image of his father." A short time elapses; Impey deems himself safe; Hugh makes himself at home with his supposed parents, the lazy old Brigadier and his masculine consort, who talks of nothing but Indian battles and Indian affairs. But a new incident occurs: Major Burgoyne, in ill health, arrives from India with his pretty daughter, Nelly; great consternation on the part of Dr. Vyse; Hugh's filial attachment being monopolized by the the Farquhars, where are they to find a son for Major Burgoyne? But Impey is never at fault. graceless scamp in the lawyer's office, yclept Dando, a real gamin de London, is hastily trained and instructed to perform the part, and the young monkey is presented to the Major as his own flesh and blood, is voted unanimously to be the "image of his father," and revels for a while in the old gentleman's tin, and the caresses of his supposed sister

Matters become more and more complicated. It appears that the ship which brought home the major and his pretty daughter, bad for one of its officers a handsome young man, who courted Nelly, and represented himself as Walter Farquhar. But the major treated the pretender as an impostor, well knowing, as he thought, that the son of his friend, Brigadier Farquhar, was a clerk in the office of one Impey, a lawyer of London, aforesaid. Nelly, however, true to her woman's instinct, clings to her faith, and feels persuaded that the handsome young sailor is the real Walter, never suspecting, however, that the coarse, vulgar little scamp whom she kisses and caresses every day is not her brother.

When these circumstances transpire, the conspirators are differently affected. Dr. Vyse is scared almost out of his wits; young Hugh Burgoyne begins to repent, and wishes to see his real "pa;" but Impey, dauntless to the last, talks his brother-in-law out of his fears, terrifies young Hugh into holding his tongue, and even attempts to bully Walter Farquhar himself, when the latter calls at his office and inquires the address of his father. Walter, however, is not to be brow-beaten in this way. He meets Hugh in the street one night, and makes him promise to call with him at the major's house on the following day. Hugh breaks his appointment, and Walter is once more spurned as an impostor by the wrathful veteran. He spies young Dando, who has been personating his friend Hugh, and seizing that graceless "monkey" by the collar, insists upon his directing him to the house of Brigadier Farquhar. Dando resolved to have a long ride, leads the unsuspecting sailor through the streets and suburbs of London, gets him to knock at the door of the Duke of Wellington, and finally gives him the slip at the Zoological Gardens.

We copy the passage which treats of the last mentioned performance, as giving a fair specimen of the coarse humor which distinguishes this work.

"Dando saw that his companion was intent upon finding out the Farquhars' residence, and that he would have great difficulty in giving him the slip. So he thought to himself for a momant how he he could possibly manage it, and at last he burst out crying, saying, 'I'm sure I'd tell you directly, sir, if I only know'd where they was a stayin' ou-boo-00! I never was at the house you see, but I heer'd old Half-a-liver, you know, say it was somewhere about here; only where it was I can't call to mind just now you see—you've flurried a cove so, you have-boo-00-00,' Then suddenly leaving off crying, he looked up and said, as another trick flashed across his mind, but I thinks we can hear on 'em at the 'Logical Gardens, Regency Park.'

"Zoological Gardens, Regent's Park!' exclaimed Walter, suspicious of another hoax, and looking intently at the boy, who stared as hard at him.

"Yes, the 'Logical Gardens, please sir!' replied Dando, sticking to the place-for he knew the quarter well, having often held horses there on Sundays. Old Farquhar, I heerd tell, brought over with him some curious hanimal as he's very fond on-either a pet snake, or a sacred bull, or a fancy helephant-and he's been and put it there to board and lodge with the kimpany.'

"This sounded quite peculiar enough to Walter to look true, so he patted the lad on the head, and told the cabman to drive as hard he could to the gardens.

"Once there, and the admission money paid, Dando led the credulous Walter through the gardens, under the tunnel to the menagerie on the other side of the road. Pretending to be looking about for some particular keeper, he seduced Walter on to the patent

iron round-about gate, which Dando well knew would only turn one way, and was arranged so as to let visitors out of, but not into, the gardens.

"The young monkey' having got the artless sailor thus far, said, with a look of great simplicity, I can't see the keeper I wants, anywhere, sir; I think we had better ax over at the lodge arter him, 'cos I knows he can tell us all about your guv'nor directly.'

664

Very well," said Walter, standing still for the boy to lead the way.

"Harter you, please sir; hage afore honesty,' answered Dando, pulling his head into a bow by means of his frout hair. Through this here gate, please sir,' he continued, turning the tall iron turnstile for Walter to pass through the cage-like outlet.

And when the sailor had done so, he stood in the road waiting for Dando to follow him. Finding, however, that the young monkey' remained on the other side, he said, impatiently, Well, come along!' come along! But the boy only leaned his forehead against the rails, and answered, 'No, I thankee, old Stick-in-the-mud, I likes this side o' the 'edge the best-it's so werry safe, you see,'

"Walter, suspicious of another trick, tried to get back through the gate again, and pushed and pushed at the iron twirl-about, but all in vain, while the lad, with a half-leer, said, 'It ain't no use shoven' at this here gate, old Buttons. You won't get it back agin, no more nor a suvran from Joseph Handy. Her Majesty's guv her letters patent for this here dodge.'

"If you don't come through, you young scamp, I'll half-murder you, I will! roared Walter.

"Ah, that's werry kind on you to say as much,' replied Dando, quickly. You couldn't step in here and do it, could you, please sir? Don't stand on no ceremony, I beg on you,

old cock.'

"Ah, you've done me, you young scoundrel!' returned Walter, but I'll have you yet;' and running across the road, he dashed through the gates on the other side of the way, and rushing past the lodges, scampered down the broad path by which they had entered.

“Dando no sooner saw the coast clear, than he passed through the gate, and taking to his heels, was soon safe at MOTHER RED CAP's,' in Camden Town, waiting for the next 'bus to take him home."

Impey, however, knowing very well that matters must soon come to a crisis, makes a partial confession to Nelly, informing her at the same time that the conspiracy has originated with her own brother, who fusisted upon being allowed to personate Walter in order to conceal his flight from his parents. The confiding girl, persuaded that her brother must be hung if discovered, is induced to use her influence upon her lover, and the latter weakly enough, consents to be silent for a time, lest by speaking he should expose his old friend and playmate. We reget that the young couple should have exhibited so much improbable candor and ignorance of human affairs. Any lawyer in London could have given them better information in the premises, for the small consideration of five shillings sterling.

Since we have touched upon this topic, we might as well express our opinion, that the entire plot is as improbable as the circumstance just mentioned.

For instance, Impey is represented as a shrewd lawyer, an adept in legal craft, gifted with all the cunning and ingenuity of his profession. But his conduct throughout the story is the very reverse of cunning-it is foolish. We might say of his scheming, what a French orator, (Mr. Thiers, we believe,) once said of a ministerial measure: C'est plus qu'un crime! cest une bévue! It is worse than a crime; it is a blunder. It occurs to us that we have never seen the legal character fairly delineated in any novel. We know, in real life, many lawyers as unprincipled as the lawyers of Dickens or the Impey of this story; we have heard of conspiracies organized by shrewd and reckless members of the profession; but we have never known them guilty of any such oversights as these novel lawyers are constantly committing; the truth is, that the minds of these writers are not equal to the task of inventing such a plot as a skilful lawyer might construct; and if they were, such a plot would never suit their views, because it could never be unravelled and brought to a proper catastrophe, within the limits of a novel.

We must refer to the novel itself such of our readers as may feel desirous to discover how the truth at last comes out; how the Major and Brigadier finally recognize their respective offspring; how Impey and Vyse depart to avoid the punishment of their misdeeds; how Walter marries Nelly. The plot, of which we have sketched the outlines, is certainly flimsy and improbable; but it would be hyporcritical to judge it by the standard of art, when it is professedly a mere canvass, whereon the authors have wrought their embroidery of light fun and entertaining incident. The eccentricities of the lazy brigadier-the peculiarities of his masculine wife-the terrors of that pattern of propriety, Dr. Vyse-the bustling housewifery of Mrs. Vyse-but, above all, the pranks and tricks of the young monkey, Dando, furnish sufficient matter for laughter and amusement, and the book evidently purports to aim at nothing higher.

If there be any serious object sought, to be established in the pages we have just perused-and we confess, that in all our reading, we seek something of that sort-it would seem to be to controvert the popular belief, that there exists such a thing as a natural instinct, which, aside from habit and education, prompts the mutual love of parents and children. Perhaps that belief is erroneous, yet it is consoling; and if the work before us were of sufficient consequence, we would here attempt to argue the point. But the strictures of novel writers are ephemeral, while the popular opinion we have alluded to, is deeply rooted in the hearts of men, and will endure long after the book in question, and its authors, together with this review and the reviewer, are lost sight of and forgotten.

THE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS; or THE ARABIAN NIGHTS' ENTERTAINMENTS. Translated and arranged for family reading; with explanatory notes. By E. W. Lane, Esq. From the second London edition. Illustrated with six hundred wood-cuts by Harvey, and illuminated title by our Jones. 2 vols. Harper Brothers.

It is probable that these world-renowned romances have, in their effect upon the imagination, produced more influence directly and indirectly upon the fortunes of the world than almost any other work of fiction. The ideas imbibed by the youthful mind in rela tion to the splendor of the East are with difficulty thrown off in after life, and the imagi nation is with reference to the Asiatic world always tinged with the fictitious wealth and supernatural agency which has enchained the youthful mind and enchanted the senses. Much of English enterprize in Asia may be traced to a stimulus from this source, and the ideas of eastern glory that beset the early career of Napoleon were doubless consequent upon the strong impress his mind had received. Certain it is that declining age loves fondly, after disappointed hopes and crushing reverses, to recur to the gorgeousness which the Arabian Nights lent to his early thoughts. The new edition of the Messrs. Harpers is superb, and illustrated in characteristic style, forming altogether the most beautiful as well as the cheapest edition.

THE REPUBLIC OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; Its duties to itself, and its responsible relations to other countries. Embracing also a review of the late war between the United States and Mexico, its causes and results; and those measures of government which have characterized the Democracy of the Union. D. Appleton & Co., 200 Broadway, N. Y.

This is an important work, and should be in the hands of every citizen. It is in duodecimo form, of 332 pages, and is a most clear and able exposition of democratic principles as identified with the welfare and progress of the country as a nation, and of its inhabitants as citizens of the first Republic of the world. It gives a most succinct and clear account of the late war, its causes and origin, and of the great principles involved in free trade and constitutional currency.

DUFF'S NORTH AMERICAN ACCOUNTANT; Embracing single and double entry Book-keeping, practically adapted to the inland and maritime commerce of the United States. By P. Duff, merchant. Harper Brothers.

This is a very able and practical work, and has the advantage of most works of the kind in clearness of diction.

LAYS AND BALLADS. By Thomas Buchanan Read. D. Appleton & Co., 200 Broadway. This is a beautiful collection of considerable merit; we purpose at a future time a longer notice, more in accordance with its worth.

It

THE FIRST OF THE KNICKERBOCKERS. A Tale of 1673. George P. Putnam, 155 Broadway. This work is, by the author, as befits its name, dedicated to Washington Irving, Esq. is a well-conducted and lively tale of the first settlers, the scene being laid on Manhattan Island in the time of Charles II., when the province was about passing into English possession, and the interest is well sustained.

A HISTORY OF VIRGINIA from its discovery to its settlement by Europeans to the present time. By Robert R. Howison. 2 vols. Drinker & Morris, Richmond, Va.

The early history of the several states that formed, in their independent character, our glorious Union, has been much neglected both by writers and students, and the material for forming correct and ample details of their early progress is fast slipping into oblivion. It is with the greatest gratification, therefore, that we encounter works like this of Mr. Howison, which combines much valuable information, embodied from sources becoming daily less accessible to the mauy, in relation to the early times of Virginia, a state which has acted so important a part in our national career, and whose sons have given tone and character to federal institutions, as well as to those of the several new states into which many of them have migrated. The history of that noble state, as set forth by Mr. Howison, is a key to the working of our institutions in other sectious, and is one of those works which ought to receive more attention from our collegiate youth than the details of bygone republics in the old world, the examples of which must have far less applicability to our future progress than the condition and movements of the founders of this Republic. We shall take occasion to make a more extensive review of this deserving work.

THE SHIPMASTER'S ASSISTANT AND COMMERCIAL DIGEST; Containing information necessary for merchants, owners and masters of ships. By Joseph Blunt, Counsellor at Law. Harper Brothers.

Although this is a work necessary to the business of those engaged in navigation, it is no less so to the statesinan and the lawyer. It contains a variety of information in relation to commercial matters, of use as matter of reference to all who engage in public life, and it should form a part of every library.

THE WORKS OF WASHINGTON IRVING.-Life and Voyages of Columbus. New edition revised. George P. Putnam, 155 Broadway.

In accordance with the design previously announced, Mr. Putnam has already issued the third volume of this standard edition of Irving's works. The present publication forms the third of the set, and first of the Life of Columbus. The second of the Life is announced for January 1, with the maps. It is singular what a charm the style of Irving throws around the dryest details, and when it becomes the medium of developing the workings of that wonderful mind of Columbus in its progress towards the discovery of a world, the interest becomes intense, even to those familiar with the story. This edition is, we are pleased to learn, sought after with an avidity that indicates the still spreading popularity of the gifted author.

OLIVER CROMWELL'S LETTERS AND SPEECHES; Including the supplement to the first edition; with elucidations. By Thomas Carlyle. 2 vols. Harper Brothers.

These are indeed welcome volumes, in spite of all the floods of matter that have been printed in relation to that man and his times. It is not a little gratifying to American Republicans to be able to coincide with Mr. Carlyle, who repudiates the charge of hypocrisy, when he states, "For, in spite of the stupor of histories, it is beautiful once more, to see how the memory of Cromwell, in its huge inarticulate significance-not able to speak a wise word for itself to any one, has nevertheless been steadily growing clearer and clearer in the popular English mind; how, from the day when high dignitaries and pampleteers of the carrion species did their ever-memorable feat at Tyburn, (exhuming to insult the bodies of Cromwell and his mother,) onwards to this day, the progress does not stop." The volumes will be in the hands of every one. The edition is a fine one, aud embellished with a portrait of the Protector.

POEMS BY WILLIAM COWPER. With a biographical and critical introduction, by the Rev. Thomas Dale, and seventy-five illustrations from drawings by John Gilbert. Harper Brothers.

This is a beautiful edition of Harper's Illustrated Works, being uniform in style with the works of others of the standard English poets published by them. The set forms one of the most appropriate and desirable presents at this season of compliments, and it is pleasing to see in the demand for such publications that the public taste is not only improving, but that there is a disposition to improve it still further.

THE SALAMANDER. A Legend for Christmas, found amongst the papers of the late Earnest Helfenstein. Edited by E. Oakes Smith. George P. Putman, 155 Broadway. This is a beautifully got up and highly interesting Christmas tale, by one with whose reputation the public is favorably acquainted. The beauty of description in many passages is peculiarly striking.

THE AMERICAN ALMANAC and Repository of Useful Knowledge, for the year 1849. Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown.

This work, invaluable for statistical reference, has now reached its 20th volume, being the 10th of the second series, and is in the hands of new publishers, Messrs. Little & Brown. As a work for prompt reference for national events and statistics, it stands almost alone in the country; canuot be dispensed with by any well-informed person, and its accuracy cannot be impeached. The present number contains a general index to the past 10 volumes.

THE LAW OF DEBTOR AND CREDITOR in the United States and Canada. By James P. Halcombe, author of " A Digest of the Decisions of the Supreme Courts of the United States." D. Appleton & Co., 200 Broadway.

This is a most valuable work for business men. In our country where there are no internal restrictious upon trade, and railroads, canals, and natural avenues open up every section of a mighty continent to mercantile intercourse, promoted and consolidated by an intelligent system of individual credit, next to a universal law in relation to the rights and remedies of creditors in all the 30 independent sovereignties that compose our glori ous union, a perfect knowledge of the existing laws in all the states is desirable. This is furnished by Mr. Holcombe; and no person in business ought to be without this volume.

THE SACRED POETS OF ENGLAND AND AMERICA, for three centuries. Edited by Rufus W. Griswold. Illustrated with steel engravings. D. Appleton & Co., 200 Broadway

Mr. Griswold is already favorably known to the public, for his labors in the direction which has produced this valuable collection of the choice productions of English poets. In addition to the British authors, he has given us many American names, now for the first time collected in this form. The whole is got up in a style which qualifies the volume, both in matter and manner to form one of the choicest gifts for this season of compliments.

POEMS BY OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES. New and enlarged edition. William D. Ticknor & Co., Boston.

A beautiful collection of choice poetry.