THE PRADO. Hast thou seen him? said he ought? Is my Juan jealous still? Men are masters but in thought, Ruled by woman's secret will. Lose him? nay, Take my counsel! be more kind! Kind! and spoil a selfish man! Thou may'st live to change thy mind, As I know thy Juan can. Horse-Emancipation; or, the Abolition of the Bearing-Rein, an Address to the Owners and Drivers of Coaches, Omnibuses, and of all other, whether Public or Private, Conveyances throughout the United Kingdom. By λπTOS, D.D. F.R.S.L. F.S.A. 8vo. (Ackermann, Regent Street). This is a well and closely argued essay against an abuse of man's authority over that most noble and most useful of all animals, the horse. Such is the force of habit, and of prejudice, that some will view the attempt as Quixotic, while others may regard it as altogether a jeu d'esprit. They have only to read, and to reflect, and they will find themselves to be mistaken. The author's style is lively indeed, but his arguments and his object are most serious. We have not space to go through the whole discussion; but we will make one extract, in which the evils of the bearing-rein are enumerated, its occasional use admitted, and its general substitute mentioned: “The bearing-rein may, probably, be of some use to a young horse, in breaking him in; and may, perhaps, help to get up his head,' until he has been what is questionably called taught his paces'; but what other ends it can answer (unless display be aimed at) than deadening his mouth, lessening his speed, wasting his strength, hurting his wind, abridging his services, souring his temper, making him jib, reducing his value, shortening his days, throwing him down, breaking his knees, and casting or ejecting (probably killing) his rider or driver, it would puzzle a conjuror to discover; all these, it is fearlessly asserted, proceed from the use of this ingeniously-cruel appendage, which a double-ringed snaffle-bit would entirely supersede." Prevalent as the use of the bearing rein is at present, we do not regard our author's proposition of reform as by any means a hopeless undertaking; and we take this view more decidedly, when we are informed that the bearingrein is peculiar to England, and unknown on the continent. Moreover, we perceive that the same sentiments are held by others, and by one especially, whose name is entitled to no little respect, and we think we cannot more effectually second the object of this pamphlet than by making the following extract from a late Bristol paper. "At the recent annual meeting of the Bath and West of England Society for the Encouragement of Agriculture, Arts, &c. Mr. M'Adam exhibited a set of Scotch harness, which he brought forward with a view to convince the public that want of care in the use of draught horses in this kingdom added considerably to the expence of hauling in general. The price of the harness was only 37. 118. The saddle-tree was constructed with peculiar care, and sat as easy on the horse's back as a riding-saddle, so that the horse scarcely felt the lateral motion of the shafts of the cart. The bridle was distinguished by the absence of a bearing-rein, which he was convinced did no good, but rather harm, and he was glad to find that reason was generally prevailing over custom and prejudice, and driving it out. He had long noticed the disadvantage of the bearing-rein. One was, the elongation of the horse's mouth, by the force he used to get his head out to use the muscles in the way which nature designed. He was coming up a hill from Exeter some time since on a coach, when the horses stood still, refusing to take the load up the hill; by the permission of the coachman, he (Mr. M'Adam) took the bearing reins off the horses, and they then immediately proceeded up the hill with the load.-Mr. G. W. Hall thought that the observations of Mr. M'Adam were far too valuable to be passed lightly over and lost sight of. With regard to the bearingrein, he entirely coincided with that gentleman, and the only thing that reconciled him to it was, that, if it were known how much more a horse could draw without one, it would be taken away, and the additional load put on the cart, instead of allowing him to draw his present load with a little more ease. He had, therefore, great pleasure in moving that Mr. M'Adam be requested to accept the Society's silver medal.-Capt. Scobel seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously." The British Librarian, or Book-Collector's Guide. By W. T. Lowndes. 8vo. Part I. The compiler of this work is already well known as the author of a very useful catalogue called the Bibliographer's Manual, in 4 vols. 8vo. giving an account of all the more important or curious works printed in this country. In the present undertaking he must, we presume, go over much of the same ground again; but he proposes to extend his range to the whole field of literature, and to furnish" a catalogue and description of about twenty thousand of the best works of the best authors, English and Foreign, in every branch of knowledge, arranged in the departments of-1. Reli ROYAL ACADEMY. gion and History; 2. Ethics and Morals; 3. Legislation and Politics; 4. Sciences and Arts; 5. History and Antiquities; and 6. Miscellaneous Literature. These departments to be divided and sub-divided into a variety of classes of easy reference, so that each particular subject will be preserved distinct and entire." This is a more difficult task than Mr. Lowndes's former work (which was arranged in an alphabet of the authors' names), and requiring greater judgment and critical skill. However, he cannot greatly err if he takes as his guides the best classed library-catalogues, English and Foreign; and their deficiencies in detail we are sure his own persevering industry will supply. The British Librarian will contain references to other more extended bibliographical works, a feature which cannot fail to be highly useful; and it will also give the average price of old books, and the advertized prices of those published since 1830. The first Part contains the Holy Scriptures and the various Commentaries, &c. &c. thereon. We have examined several articles, and are fully satisfied of the great labour and care with which the compilation is formed. FINE ARTS. Dec. 10. At the anniversary meeting (the seventieth) the following prizes were distributed: To Mr. Henry Nelson O'Neil, for the best copy made in the painting school, the silver medal, and the lectures of the Professors Barry, Opie, and Fuseli; to Mr. William Carpenter, for the next best copy made in the painting school, the silver medal; to Mr. Henry Le Jeune, for the best drawing from the life, the silver medal; to Mr. Henry Bailey, for the best drawing of the principal front of Harcourt House, in Cavendish-square, the silver medal; to Mr. William Baker, for the best drawing from the antique, the silver medal; and to Mr. Joseph Edwards, for the best model from the antique, the silver medal. SHAW's Specimens of Elizabethan Architecture, Part IX.-With this work Mr. Shaw seems to be proceeding but slowly; but all he does is well done. The three plates in this number all relate to Bramshill House in Hampshire, the mansion of him whom Ben Jonson called "the good Lord Zouch." It is a very curious and unaltered specimen, and well deserving of the study of the admirers of this style. The Sporting Almanac for 1839.-We notice this production, which is the first of its kind, under the present head, be- Jan. Skating-The Regent's Park. Dec. Wild fowl shooting--Poole Harbour. We will add, that the various information of the work is, for a first year, very full and correct. story. We need not say they are clever in themselves, but it must be regretted that George Cruikshank's talents had not been employed in illustrating some history more worthy of them. Nor can we be persuaded that his invention has been exhausted in illustrating the Months three times; we are sure he could do it for three dozen. There are always various events in each month, various eras for costume, &c. besides an endless variety of scene, of incident, and mode of treatment. Let him for 1840 return to the charge. The minute silhouettes, &c. which adorn the Calendar, redolent as they are of fun and satire, are the redeeming features of this year's Comic Almanac. The political hieroglyphic, representing the boiling of the State Kettle, has more than ordinary merit. The Heads of the People: by Quizzfizz. 8vo. We suppose the popularity of certain characteristic wood-blocks which have appeared in the Observer and other weekly newspapers, has led to the formation of this gallery of Heads, which are also cut on wood, though with a pretension of greater finish and beauty of engraving. Whether the artist is the same we know not. They are hardly superior in merit; for in the series referred to many of the low characters of London have been well hit off; and so much we may say for the present production. It is not often that a professional caricaturist has the means of observing the higher classes of society, unless perhaps in their out-of-door costume. George Cruikshank, whose perception of character has been seldom rivalled, except perhaps by H. B., bas shown that he knows something of the aspect of polished society, though perhaps even he is most successful without doors. But our present draughtsman knows it only from the prints in the Magazine of Fashion, or the shop-windows of the hair-dressers, and he has evidently mistaken the meaning of a " Diner-out." Instead of the experienced parasite, (well described in the accompanying article by Mr. Brownrigg,) who lives on the bounty of his friends, and repays them by his wit and conversational talents, the print represents an insipid dandy, who, wrapt wholly in himself, has gone down to Greenwich in the steam-boat, and is evidently "dining-out" alone, at a tavern table, where the glasses are turned down bottom upwards. Again, "The Lion of a Party" is certainly not a lion, but a poodle. Our artist is happiest in the Lawyer's Clerk and the Maid of all Work, and we therefore advise him to take but a moderate flight. The Stockbroker is not amiss; but then, in everything but the features, it is the copy of Dighton's whole length of Mr. Rothschild. LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC NEW PUBLICATIONS. History and Biography. The Life and Times of Washington, his Diaries, &c. By JARED SPARKS. post 8vo. 288. The Religions of Profane Antiquity. By JONATHAN DUNCAN, Esq. B.D. fcap. 178. History of the Reformation in Poland. By Count VALERIAN KRASINSKI. vol. I. 8vo. 18s. Elizabethan Religious History. By the Rev. HENRY SOAMES, M.A. 8vo. 16s. The Life and Times of Archbishop Sharp. By T. STEPHENS. 8vo. 14s. Memoirs of Charles Mathews, Comedian. By Mrs. MATHEWS. 2 vols. 8vo. 288. Music and Friends: or, Pleasant Recollections of a Dilettante. By W. GARDINER. 2 vols. 8vo. 248. Travels in Town. By the Author of Random Recollections. 2 vols. 8vo. 21s. Travels, &c. Incidents of Travels in Russia and Turkey. By J. L. STEPHENS, Esq. 2 vols. 8vo. 14s. INTELLIGENCE. South Australia in 1837, in a series of Letters with a Postscript as to 1838. By ROBERT GOUGER. Winter Studies and Summer Rambles in Canada. By Mrs. JAMESON. 3 vols. 8vo. 31s. 6d. Politics. The State, in its relations with the Church. By W. E. GLADSTONE, Esq. M.P. 8vo. 9s. 6d. Poetry. Poems, Original and Selected. By J. H. MERIVALE. 2 vols. fcap. 14s. Hours of Solitude: a collection of Poems. By H. T. DANIEL. Minstrel Melodies. By the author of "Field Flowers." 18mo. 5s. The Demons of the Wind, and other Poems. By H. L. MANSEL. fcap. 5s. John Noakes and Mary Styles, a Poem. By C. CLARK, Esq. post 8vo. 2s. Leaves of Poesy. By SARAH FRANKLAND. fcap. 78. Novels and Tales. Eve Effingham; or, Home. By J. F. COOPER. 3 vols. 8vo. 248. The Huguenots; a Tale of the French Protestants. By G. P. R. JAMES, Esq. 3 vols. 8vo. 31s. 6d. Pictures of the World. By the Author of Tremaine. 3 vols. 8vo. 31s. 6d. The Vision of Rubeta; an Epic Story of the Island of Manchattan. 8vo. 128. The Roman Lovers. post 8vo. 88. 6d. The Reclaimed Family. By Lady TUITE. 18mo. 2s. 6d. Divinity. Sermons. By the Rev. J. K. Newman. vol. IV. 8vo. 10s. 6d. The Works of Robert Hall. Edited by O. GREGORY. (Six vols.) vol. I. fcap. 5s. The Law of Christ respecting Civil Obedience. By J. BROWN, D.D. 8vo. 108. 6d. Notes on the Books of Joshua and Judges. By GEORGE BUSH. 12mo. 68. The Missionary Convention at Jerusalem. By D. ABEEL. post 8vo. 6s. Sermons on the Seven Penitential Psalms. By the Rev. C. OXENDEN. 12mo. 58. The Christology of the Old and New Testament. By the Rev. J. A. STEPHEN2 vols. 8vo. 21s. SON. Medicine. Principles of General and Comparative Physiology. By W. B. CARPENTER. 8vo. 158. Practical Synopsis of the Diseases of the Skin. By R. HUNT. fcap. 58. The Text-book of Human Anatomy. By R. HUNTER, M.D. 12mo. 5s. Considerations on Phrenology. By the Rev. J. S. HODGSON. post 8vo. 5s. 6d. The Student's Guide to the Hospitals of Paris. By J. WIBLIN. 18mo. 38. The Philosophy of Disease. By J. B. HARRISON. 12mo. 4s. 6d. An Exposition of Quackery and Imposture in Medicine. By the Author of the Philosophy of Living. post 8vo. 7s. 6d. Natural History. Memoirs of the Wernerian Natural History Society, vol. VII. 188. An Introduction to the Modern Classi. fication of Insects. By J. O. WESTWOOD, F.L.S. (2 vols. 8vo.) Vol. I. 218. The Entomologist's Text Book. By J. O. WESTWOOD, F.L.S. 12mo. 68. 6d. Coloured 8s. 6d. The Natural History of Fishes, Amphibians, and Reptiles. By W. SWAINSON, F.R.S. (Cabinet Cyclopedia, vol. CIX.) 6s. The Naturalist's Album; or, Diary of the Seasons. 16mo. 2s. 6d. The London Flora. By B. IRVINE. 12mo. 10s. Preparing for Publication. A History of Ireland, from the raising of the Siege of Derry in 1689 to the Treaty of Limerick in 1691. By the Rev. JOHN GRAHAM. A Reprnt of that scarce poem, The Dove, or Passages of Cosmography, by Richard Zouche, Civilian of New Col lege in Oxford, afterwards Professor of Civil Law in the above-named University, and Judge of the High Court of Admiralty, &c. temp. Charles I. and II.; with an engraved Portrait of Dr. Zouche, from an original painting; and a brief account of his life and family by his descendant RICHARD WALKER, B.D., Fellow of Magdalene College, Oxford. PRIZE ESSAYS. The premium for the best Historical Memoir of Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond, has been awarded to Miss C. B. Halsted. The subject announced for November 1839 is an Essay on the Obligations of Literature to the Mothers of England; and that for November 1840, a Memoir of Mary Sydney, Countess of Pembroke. The conditions will appear in a subsequent Number of our Magazine. THE COPTIC SCRIPTURES. The Rev. Henry Tattam, of Bedford, has proceeded on a mission to Egypt, in order to examine and collate all accessible manuscripts in the monasteries of that country (and afterwards in Italy), to perfect the Coptic Bible he has long been preparing for publication. He sailed from Marseilles on the 1st of October, and was to leave Cairo on the 13th November, on his way to Upper Egypt, where many such MSS. as he is desirous to consult are believed to be preserved in the religious houses of long-past ages. In Cairo itself Mr. T.'s zeal has been rewarded by the discovery of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the Lamentations, in the Coptic language; and we have no doubt but that the treasures of the upper provinces will amply reward his labours. It is with pleasure we add, that government has given 3007. towards the expense of this holy undertaking, and that the voluntary subscription in aid of it shews the names of the Archbishop of Canterbury for 10. 10s., the Bishops of Lincoln and London, the Duke of Bedford, Lord Tavistock, Granville Penn, &c. &c. for 51. each. To this the council of the Royal Society of Literature, at a late meeting, added 101. 10s. UNIVERSITIES. Cambridge. The following are the prize subjects for 1839. Chancellor's Gold Medal, Bannockburn. Members' Prizes, For the Bachelors, Quænam commoda Britannia percipiat ex Coloniis Transatlanticis; For the Undergraduates, Inter Antiquorum et Recentiorum Eloquentiam, comparatione facta, utri palma sit deferenda. Sir William Browne's gold medals, Greek Ode in imitation of Sappho, Zenobia. Latin Ode in imitation of Horace, Curia Britannica flammis deperdita. For the Greek Epigram, after the model of the Anthologia, Ουχ ελκοποιά, For the Latin Epigram, after the model of Martial, Γίνεται τὰ σήματα. For the Porson prize, Shakspeare, Henry VI. Act ii. sc. 5, beginning "The battle fares," and ending" How many years a mortal man may live." For the Seatonian prize, Gideon. The prize of 10 guineas for the best English Essay on "The Influence of Works of Art upon the Developement of the Mind," is assigned to the Rev. James Watson Hick, B. A. Dublin. Philip Bury Duncan, esq. M.A. the senior Fellow of New College, Oxford, and Keeper of the Ashmolean Museum, has presented thirty pounds to Trinity College, Dublin, to be given to the author (being a Graduate of that University) of the best Essay on "The impediments to knowledge created by Logomachy, or the abuse of Words." KING'S COLLEGE, LONDON. Mr. William Darby has been elected a Scholar under the endowment founded by Sir Henry Worsley in this institution, in the room of Mr. H. Von Dadelszen, who has been appointed a missionary in the diocese of Madras, by the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts. Mr. James Tennant, F. G. S., has been appointed Teacher of Geological Mineralogy in the Civil Engineering and Mining Department of the College, LONDON INSTITUTION. The following Courses of Lectures are arranged for the ensuing Season:-Experimental Chemistry, by W. T. Brande, Esq. F. R. S. Nov. 5. 12, 19, 26, Dec. 3 and 10.-Comparative Physiology, by Samuel Solly, Esq. F. R. S. Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28, Dec. 5 and 12,-Astronomy, by John Wallis, Esq. Dec. 17, 20, 24, 27, 31, Jan. 3, 7, and 10, 1839.-Organisation and Life, by Southwood Smith, Esq. M.D. Jan. 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5, 12, and 19.-Engraving, by William Rider, Esq. Jan. 17, 21, and 31.-The Drama, by Thomas James Serle, Esq. Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28, March 7 and 14.-The Musical Composers of Italy in the Sixteenth Century, by Edward Taylor, Esq. Gresham Professor of Music, Feb. 25, March 5, 12, 19, 26, and April 2. Geology, by Professor John Phillips, F. R. S. March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and April 5.-Early British Poets, by Charles Cowden Clarke, Esq. March 21, 28, April 4 and 11.-On Acoustics, by Robert Addams, Esq. April 8, 15, 22, 29, May 6 and 13. ROYAL KENSINGTON LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION. The Second Division of Lectures for this season is arranged as follows: A Comparative View of the State of Society in France and England during the age of Louis XIV. by the Rev. Professor Vaughan, D.D. Feb. 5; The Vocal Music of Italy in the 16th Century, 1st Division, The Vocal School of Rome, by E. Taylor, esq. Gresham Professor of Music, Feb. 12, 19, 26; On the Old Ballads, by Cowden Clarke, esq. March 5; On the Life and Genius of Molière, by Mons. Lambert, March 12; On Natural History, by Rymer Jones, esq. March 19 and 26; On Bacon and his Predecessors, by the Rev. H. Arnold, M. A. April 9; On Mechanics, by R. Addams, esq. April 16; On Ancient Persia, illustrated by the Ruins of Persepolis, by the Rev. Professor Vaughan, D. D. April 23; On Astronomy, by A. Wallis, esq. April 30, May 7 and 13. HULL LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, AND HULL SUBSCRIPTION LIBRARY. The winter session of this institution commenced on Tuesday evening, the 6th of November. Dr. Fielding, one of the Vice-Presidents, was in the chair, and the meeting was numerously attended by members and visitors, among the latter of whom were several ladies. A list of the donations to the Museum having been laid before the Society, a paper "On the Bayeux Tapestry," was read by the President, Charles Frost, esq. F.S.A. The author entered into a critical examination of the conjectures of antiquaries as to the history of this curious piece of needlework, from the learned dissertations of Lancelot and Montfaucon down to the recent publication of Mr. Bolton Corney, which led him to draw the inference that, whether it were the work of Queen Matilda or not, it is at all events coeval with the reign of the Conqueror. He next gave a minute description of the historical contents of this interesting monument, which he compared with the accounts of the Conquest given by the Saxon and Norman historians of that period. This part |
