vouring to get its beak, which was then visible, between the roots of its arms, in a position to bite.

Mr. Beale then describes the sensation of horror which he felt when he found that this monstrous animal had affixed itself so firmly upon his arm. Its cold slimy grasp was extremely sickening, and he called loudly to the captain, who was also searching for shells at some distance, to come and release him from his disgusting assailant. He quickly arrived, and taking Mr. Beale down to the boat, during which time he was employed in keeping the beak away from his hand, released him by destroying the animal with the boat-knife, when it was disengaged by portions at a time. measured across its expanded arms about four feet, while its body was not larger than a large clenched hand.

It

History of the Bastille. By R. Davenport (Family Library).—Mr. Davenport says, we believe with truth, that this volume is the only history we possess in English of the Bastille and we think he has done justice to his subject. Owing to the unlimited power of the kings of France, the caprices of their mistresses, and the jealousies of their ministers, half the illustrious men of the kingdom, at some period or another, found themselves in a stone doublet, within the walls of this redoubtable fortress: and thus this History is a gallery of portraits of prisoners, eminent generally in some way, for birth, or bravery, or skill; to which must be added an appendix of those who richly deserved their punishment, either for the enormity of their own crimes, or being the weak tools of their more cunning and clever employers, who, having sucked the orange, threw away the peel. The despotism of a lawless multitude, and the cruelty of its base and selfish leaders, is indeed dreadful; but it is short-lived, and Brissot, and Robespierre, and Danton soon were numbered among their own victims; but the Bastille is the sad history, sometimes overswelling the margin, of an accursed and more cruel despotism, which was endured for centuries; within whose deep and loathsome womb, too often, fidelity and honour, and courage and love, were immured from the sweet light of heaven, and the sweeter society of man, and pined away in cold and hunger and nakedness, till death too slowly let loose the spirit from the still barred and guarded prison. It is a dreadful page in the history of man ;

"These creatures, from the different adaptation of their tentacles, and slight modifications of their bodies, are capable of sailing, flying, swimming, and creeping on the shore, while their senses, if we may judge from the elaborate mechanism of their organs, must possess corresponding acuteness and perfection."

We could pursue this, and many other very interesting subjects in Mr. Beale's work, had we space for them. Amidst the trash of modern publications, it is refreshing to meet with a volume which contains so much information, and information so agreeably related. There is no affectation or conceit; and Mr. Beale tells us what he saw in a manner which many of our travellers would have done well if they had imitated.

probably polluted with as much crime as any one place on earth was ever stained with. Verily, as a race, the kings of France have much to suffer for before a righteous tribunal. What monstrous and unheard of crimes does not the very mention of their names recal! the names of Henry the Third, and Charles the Ninth, and Louis the Eleventh, down to him whose weak ambition exhausted the resources of the wealthiest country in Europe; and him, his son and successor, whose boundless sensuality left virtue nothing but a name; and both of whom expired amid the curses of a people who once adored them.

The hand of Providence seems to have been laid on the third and fourth generation, in that kind of retribution on earth, which shadows to us the more full and perfect one hereafter; and the throne of France seems shaking from its seat the successors of those who had too long endangered its stability by their perfidy, and stained its glory by cruelty and lust. As in righteousness alone should a throne be established, so in the same righteousness alone can it be preserved.

Variations of Popery. By S. Edgar. 2d Edit. It would be in vain to attempt to give an analysis of the contents of this learned, copious, and interesting work, without having a larger space in our pages to spare than we can command; and after all it is so full of authorities, references, and quotations, from which its arguments are drawn, or to which they are referred, that any attentive and anxious reader would have recourse for his satisfac

tion to the original work. The main design of the work is to employ against Popery the arguments which the celebrated Bossuet wielded with ingenuity, but without success, against Protestantism. The Reformers disagreed rather in discipline than in faith and morality. These dissensions Bossuet collected, and supplied what was wanting from his own imagination: the discordancy Bossuet represented as inconsistent with truth. Mr. Edgar's Variations of Popery are intended to rebut Bossuet's argument; and the diversity exhibited in Romanism presents a wide field for retaliation. The work is divided clearly and judiciously into seventeen chapters, each including the discussion of some important subject, detecting the falsehoods and impostures, and laying bare the corruptions, of the Romish Church. The work is at once copious enough for a book of reference, and so well arranged and written as to interest during the continued perusal.

By

Sermons on various Subjects. James J. M. Anderson, Chaplain in Ordinary to the Queen, &c. 8vo.-Mr. Anderson's distinguished reputation as a preacher has long been known; and his eloquence in the pulpit has attracted the attention and respect of all classes of society: kings and queens have sat at his feet, and the nobles of the land have been his hearers. When we received, therefore, this volume, we were prepared to find discourses such as would approve themselves to all enlightened and attentive minds, by soundness of doctrine, accuracy of reasoning, and elegance of illustration. We expected to find zeal without affectation, and energy without violence; nor can we say that we have been disappointed. Mr. Anderson shows in these discourses that he is a sound theological scholar, a rational and sensible expositor of Scripture, and master of a pleasing and harmonious style. The sermons that we most like are, the first, on Conscience, which is well reasoned, and excellently written; that on the Ministerial Office; and the Spirit reproving the World of Sin, &c. ; but we are also bound to say, that there is not one in which there are not passages of considerable merit, and a general vein of pious feeling, with an earnest desire to enforce the doctrines and duties of the Christian faith on the mind and conscience of his hearers. There is at the close an affecting discourse on the death of the late King, written with much feeling, and, considering the delicacy of the subject, with great propriety and judg. ment. Mr. Anderson, we see, is Chap.

lain to two Queens, and consequenlty, as it may be expected, they receive from him great part of their spiritual instruction; he doubtless will avoid the two extremes, in which injudicious preachers have too often fallen; either of too gently touching on the imminent dangers and high responsibilities of the regal situation; or of following the example of the French Cardinal, to whom Louis XIV. after the discourse was ended, said, "Mon père, j'aime à prendre ma part d'un sermon, mais je n'aime pas qu'on me al fasse."

The Authors of England, with Medallic Portraits. London. Tilt. 4to. 1838.The portraits in this work are engraved by Mr. Collins's process, concerning which there is an interesting memorial at the end of the volume. The likenesses of the authors appear in general correct, as they are spirited and striking; and the short biographies contain the general data relating to the chief circumstances in the lives of the Authors, and an account of their works; and on the whole they are fairly estimated.

In Mr. Chorley's account, however, of Charles Lamb, he has made a great mistake in attributing a line of Wordsworth's description of Coleridge,

The rapt-one of the God-like forehead, to Lamb, and from it correcting a sketch of his own person which he had given. This is making a double blunder.

Hora Succisive; or, Spare Hours of Meditations upon our Duty to God, to Others, and to Ourselves. By Joseph Henshaw, D.D. Lord Bishop of Peterborough. Reprinted from the fifth edition of 1640, and edited by William Turnbull, esq. Advocate, F.S.A. Scot. 12mo. This is a series of detached reflections after the manner of the " Thoughts" of Dr. John Fuller; and those who have received gratification from a repair to that fountain of pious reflection, will be glad to taste also of that provided by Bishop Henshaw. It is equally quaint in diction, though Fuller is certainly superior in wit and depth of conceit. However, from the general style of the Bishop, and from his occasional historical allusions, though not to such recent occurrences as Dr. Fuller, we are much inclined to think that the latter must have modelled his "Thoughts" on the former. We give the following specimens in support of their identity of style :

"I read of Augustus, whenever he heard of any that died suddenly, he wished him and his friends the like happiness. He shall not choose for me. Let him and his brother heathens pray for their fool's paradise; our Church hath learned us a better language-From_sudden death, good Lord, deliver us!' I ever thought it not a little blessing to die by degrees. In this case, the farthest way about is the nearest home."

"Favour is a thing to esteem, but not to build on: he that stands upon others' legs knows not how soon they may fail him. Greatness is not eternal. I will never lean so hard upon any man, that if he break he shall give me a fall."

Bishop Henshaw's Meditations were very popular in their day. There were at least seven editions; but we believe they have not been reprinted lately. Our best thanks are due to Mr. Turnbull for restoring to us this religious classic; and we trust that the object he has in view of aid

ing the funds of a new Episcopal chapel (St. Trinity) in Edinburgh will be cordially answered.

The New Army List, by H. C. Hart, Lieut. 49th Regt. 8vo. This is a new undertaking, of such useful biographical character, that it demands our special no. tice. It exhibits not only the present standing of every officer in the army, distinguishing those who served in the Peninsula and at Waterloo, and who have received medals and other distinctions, but also furnishes the successive dates of all their commissions (distinguishing those which have been obtained by purchase), their periods of service both on full and half-pay, and those who have been wounded, and in what actions. The present publication comprises all the officers on full pay, including the Ordnance and Royal Marines. In the next the half-pay will be given.

VACHER'S Parliamentary Companion for 1839 is one of the most useful of our books of reference. With an almanac, &c. it comprises lists and residences of the Members of both Houses, lists of committees, sessional orders, &c. &c. It is the best companion to a Parliamentary pocketbook; and its accuracy is maintained by repeated editions during the session.

The Cicerone of Rank and Fashion of the Metropolis for 1839. By Edward Smallwood.-This is a new Court Guide in a tempting shape, being not too large for a lady's reticule or a gentleman's waistcoat-pocket. The "Rank and Fashion" are scientifically arranged in more than a dozen different classes; but we do not think the publisher will find this answer, as, where a very rapid reference is required, a single alphabetical arrangement always proves itself the most convenient.

Thoughts on the present Crisis of the Canadas. By the Right Hon. Sir R. W. HORTON. Ireland and Canada; supported by local evidence. By the Same. Memoirs of John Bannister, Comedian. By JOHN ADOLPHUS, esq. 2 vols. 8vo. 288.

Travels and Topography.

Pyramids of Gizeh, Part I. The Great

A Winter Journey through Russia, the Caucasian Alps, and Georgia, into Koordistan. By Capt. R. MIGNAN, Bombay Army. 2 vols. post 8vo.

A Tour in Sweden in 1838. By J. LAING, esq. author of a Journal of a Residence in Norway. 8vo. 158.

History of Upper and Lower California. By A. FORBES. 8vo. 148.

Greece, Pictorial, Descriptive, and Historical. By CHRISTOPHER WORDSWORTH, D.D. 4to. Part I. 2s. 6d.

Narrative of a Journey to the site of Babylon in 1811, &c. &c. By CLAUDIUS JAMES RICH, esq. Edited by his Widow. 8vo. 218.

Practical Treatise on Sheriff Law. By G. ATKINSON. 8vo. 18s.

Divinity.

Sermons, Doctrinal and Practical. By the Rev. WILLIAM HOWARTH, M.A. 12mo. 4s. 6d.

Bellingham; or, Narrative of a Christian in search of the Church. By the Rev. WILLIAM PALIN, B.A. 8vo. 38. 6d. Medicine.

A Dictionary of Materia Medica and Practical Pharmacy. By W. T. BRANDE, F.R.S. 8vo. 158.

Prostitution in London. By M. RYAN, M.D. 12mo. 3s. 6d.

Natural History.

A Report on the Geology of Cornwall, Devon, and West Somerset. By HENRY T. DE LA BECHE, F.R.S. Director of the Ordnance Geological Survey. 8vo. 14s.

A Treatise on Geology. By JOHN PHILLIPS, F.R.S. 2 vols. 8vo. 12s. (Cabinet Cyclopædia.)

Vegetable Organography, &c. Part I. By Mr. BOUGHTON KINGDOM.

Bibliography.

A Catalogue of the Syriac MSS. in the British Museum. folio, 128.

A Manual of Biblical Bibliography. By the Rev. THOS. HARTWELL HORNE. 8vo. 12s.

Preparing for Publication.

Sherman's History of Jesus College, Cambridge, written in 1662. Edited from the autograph in the library of Sion College, by J. O. HALLIWELL, esq. of Jesus College, Cambridge.

ROYAL SOCIETY.

Jan. 31. J. W. Lubbock, esq. V.P. and Treas. in the chair. John Wesley Williams, esq. and James Yates, esq. were elected Fellows of the Society.

The paper read was entitled Some account of the Art of Photogenic Drawing,' by H. F. Talbot, esq. F.R.S. In this communication, the author states, that during the last four or five years he has invented and brought to a considerable degree of perfection a process for copying the forms of natural objects by means of solar light, which is received upon paper previously prepared in a particular manner. He observes, that a prior attempt of this kind is recorded in the Journal of the Royal Institution for 1802; by which it appears, that the idea was originally suggested by Mr. Wedgwood, and afterwards experimented on by Sir