ANTIQUITIES.

Sabæan Researches, in a Series of Essays addressed to distinguished Antiquaries, and including the substance of a Series of Lectures delivered at the Royal Institution of Great Britain, on the Engraved Hieroglyphics of Chaldea, Egypt, and Canaan. By John Landseer, Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, Member of the London Royal Academy of Arts, and Engraver to the King. Illustrated with engravings.

Many years ago, Mr. Landseer informs us in his preface to these Researches, accident threw in his way some of the cylinders which were then denominated and generally believed to be Persepolitan ; this word seeming to restrict them to Persepolis, the place of their original production: "but Capt. Lockett, Mr. Rich, and other travellers, having since brought engraved gems of this description from the site of the metropolis of Ninus and Sardanapalus, and from the very mounds of rain where the Queen of Nations formerly sat enthroned-and astronomical science having beamed on them from above-something of a character superior to mere antiquarian curiosity, as those words are generally understood, was thus engendered and quickened into life-I became attached to the study of these hitherto neglected monuments," "Notwithstanding (our author continues) that the subjects of these cylindrical gems are here severally treated, and that each of my epistolary essays may be consi dered as an independent archæological dissertation, they are not altogether unconnected; and some. thing like orderly sequence will be found to have been observed, in as far as I have felt or fancied that such order coutributed to facilitate my researches, and was likely to conduce to the ready arrangement, in the mind of the reader, of the information which it was my purpose to convey. Hence the first essay will be found to contain evidence that the engraved cylinders of Western and of Southern Asia are the signets mentioned and alluded to in our early Scriptures, and by the more ancient of the profane historians. The sccond shows that signets were not merely matrices of seals, but were ocular mystic signs. Having cleared these two points to the best of my information and ability, I have next proceeded to show that some of these mystic signs had reference to the periodical religious festivals of the starworshiping nations of remote antiquity, and others to their judicial astrology, producing, in the engraved contents of such cylinders as I exhibit, examples of each." These exhibited examples were the ostensible, and in truth the real subjects, of a course of lectures delivered at the Royal Institution; the essays being substantially the lectures amplified and more copiously illustrated.

Mr. Landseer has evinced great research and ingenuity in the composition of this work, and we trust its merit will not be overlooked by the public.

VOL. XII. NO. XXXVII.

REMARKS.

BIOGRAPHY.

Memoirs of the Public and Private Life of John Howard, the Philanthropist; compiled from his own Diary in the possession of his family, his confidential Letters, the Communications of his surviving relatives and friends, and other authentic sources of information. By James Baldwin Brown, Esq. LL.D. of the Inner Temple, Barrister-at-law. Second edition. 8vo.

The public have already had an opportunity of forming their judgment upon this work, which, whatever may be thought of the peculiar views and representations of the author upon religious topics, is certainly a very full and accurate memoir. As far as its information extends, we prefer Dr. Aikin's Life of Howard; but the present biographer has enjoyed many advantages over his predecessor. Many of the philanthropist's journals and other papers fell into his hands, and important communications were made to him by various individuals who had enjoyed the friendship of that extraordinary man. In the present edition some of the details relative to the state of the prisons visited by Howard have been abridged, and a few additions and corrections have been made, founded upon recent communications. If the author had likewise abridged some of his own speculations upon the religious views of Howard, the work would perhaps have sustained no injury. Life of Lady Jane Grey, and Lord Guildford Dudley her husband. By E. Baldwin, Esq. 8vo. 4s. 6d.

FINE ARTS.

Illustrations of the Public Buildings of London, with historical and descriptive accounts of each edifice. By J. Britton and A. Pugin. No. IV. 5s.

We are glad to find that this amusing and interesting little work continues to be published. The present number is behind none of its predecessors in neatness. It contains a plan of the Diorama in Marylebone Park; Mr. Burton's villa; the Haymarket Theatre; Westminster Church, the North side; Church of St. Mary Woolnoth; interior of ditto; and view of the King's staircase to the House of Lords. The letter press relates to the British Museum, the Diorama, Opera-house, Uxbridge-house, an essay on villas, and notice of that of Mr. Burton.

Beauties of the Dulwich Picture Gallery. 12mo.

Every one who has visited a large collection of pictures, particularly a public gallery, has felt the want of a guide to the beauties of the most cele brated masters; and as few persons have time or patience to examine every picture, it is very important that their attention should be directed to the best. In the Dulwich Gallery there are more than 350 pictures, to discover the merits of a tenth part of which would demand more time

E

and study than a great majority of its visitors can afford to bestow, even supposing that their habits have qualified them for the task. To this class of persons, then, as well as to the amateur, we cordially recommend the little, unassuming work before us, as a pleasant, instructive, and indispensable companion to every visitor of the gallery whose beauties it so ably and so elegantly pourtrays.

A Treatise on the Principles of Landscape, in 8 Parts; A concise Treatise on Perspective, in 2 Parts; and Studies of Trees, and Precepts for Landscape-Painting. By J. Varley. Royal folio.

An Engraved Representation of the Anatomy of the Human Ear, &c. By T. Buchanan. 12s. 6d.

HISTORY.

Memoirs of the Reign of George III. and Great Britain, from the Treaty of Amiens, 1802, to the Termination of the Regency, 1820. By W. Belsham. 2 vols. 8vo. ll. ls.

HORTICULTURE.

A Treatise on the Culture and Management of Fruit-trees. By Charles Harrison, F. H. S. and gardener to J. A. Stuart Wortley, Esq. M. P.

This is a work of great utility, in which the planting, pruning, training, spurring, nailing, &c. of fruit-trees in general, are treated of in a plain and sensible manner by a practical gardener, who has elucidated his method of pruning and train. ing by wood-cuts. This renders the book a most desirable assistant to young gardeners and those gentlemen who take delight in being their own pruners. The nature of the soil most congenial to each species of fruit-trees, and the best inode of renovating old or decayed trees, are noticed; also the means of protecting them from the ravages of insects.

If there be any thing to regret in the publication before us, it is that Mr. Harrison has not dwelt at greater length on the treatment of the trees in the orchard. What renders observations on this point more requisite is, that orchard trees are so generally neglected. Even where wall trees and espaliers are regularly attended to, the orchard is frequently overlooked, or at most has only the decayed branches removed, as though it were beneath the attention of the gardener. In our own country many plantations of apple and pear trees are suffered to run wild, without receiv ing the benefit of a well-directed pruning-knife, whilst in Germany and most other parts of the Continent, the orchard has as regular a pruuing as the wall trees of the English garden, and profits by it in an equal degree. In a second edition we hope Mr. Harrison will add equally judicious directions for pruning and thinning the trees of the orchard, as he has already given for those of the wall.

We recommend this useful book to the notice of the horticulturist, feeling satisfied that he cannot peruse it without receiving very advan tageous information,

London and Paris; or Comparative Sketches. By the Marquis de Vermont and Sir Charles Darnley, Bart. 8vo.

Although many attempts have been made to represent the ideas of a foreigner upon English society and manners, yet we do not remember any instance in which England and France have been compared and viewed respectively, through the medium of foreign notions and prepossessions.

This has been achieved in the present volume, upon the whole, with considerable success. The national peculiarities and prejudices of each country are fairly balanced against those of the other with much liveliness and good feeling. The pictures of society are, of course, rather highly coloured, though they may be esteemed not unfaithful delineations. The style of the letters is pleasing, and the volume will, in short, be found an agreeable lounging-book.

Illustrations, Historical, Biographical, and Miscellaneous, of the Novels of the Author of Waverley, with criticisms, &c. By the Rev. R. Warner. 12mo. 8s.

This little work, which endeavours to separate some part of the truth from the fiction contained in the novels of the author of Waverley, is written by a divine who is already known to the public. Its object is praiseworthy and useful, and if carried to the utmost practicable extent, would prevent the evil which some have not without reason apprehended, arising from blending truth and fiction so closely together as the author of the Scotch novels has done, thereby tending to give a wrong colouring to the characters of history. But a very small part of this object is achieved in the present volume, which, however, is well worthy perusal. When we consider the importance of correct views of points relative to history, and how much the present is involved in the past in respect to many important objects, we must apportion a due share of praise to those who labour to place things in the right point of view. far as Mr. Warner has gone, he has executed his task with success; and we hope we are to consider the present undertaking merely as the herald of a more extended work, having this highly praiscworthy end in view.

Time's Telescope for 1824.

As

This useful and agreeable little work, which is at once an annual and a perennial in the garden of periodical literature, has now reached the eleventh year of its revival, and yet still appears under a new aspect. It is "another, yet the same"-" an old friend with a new face"-and yet the better instead of the worse on that account. The chief novelties of this volume are a

pleasing introductory poem on Flowers, by Bernard Barton; and a very useful Essay, in two parts, on Historical and Physical Geography. Besides these, there is the usual illustrative guide and companion to the almanack-which is interspersed with numerous chronological and biographical sketches; and also the naturalist's diary, which records the various appearances and events of the animal and vegetable kingdoms: and both these departments are pleasantly varied and lightened by a new selection of poetical illustrations.

If the author of this work cannot claim the merit of having chosen a path which shoots up flowers spontaneously, he is at least entitled to the credit of having strewed them upon an otherwise dry and unproductive one, and thus made the passage over it no less agreeable than it is useful and instructive.

The Edinburgh Review, No. LXXVII. 6s.

Bibliotheca Britannica, Part X. 4to. 1. 1s.

A Letter to Sir E. Knatchbull, Bart. on his accepting the office of President of a Church Missionary Meeting, &c. By the Rev. G. R. Gleig. 8vo. 3s. 6d.

An Essay on the Inventions and Customs of ancient and modern Nations in the use of Wine and other Liquors, &c. By S. Marewood. 1 vol. 8vo. 12s.

L. Annæi Senecæ Tragœdiæ, recensuit et accuravit Johannes Carey, LL.D. 24mo. 6s.

The Captivity, Sufferings, and Escape of James Scurry, under Hyder Ali and Tippoo Saib. 12mo.

A new series of The Investigator, or Quarterly Magazine. 3s.

A Guide to Practical Farriery, &c. By J. Pursglove, sen. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

A Treatise upon Breeding, Rearing, and Feeding Cheviot and Black-faced Sheep in High Districts, &c. By J. Fairbairn. 8vo.

58.

A Treatise on the Game of Ecarté, &c. By an Amateur. 18mo. 2s. 6d.

The Elements of a new Arithmetical Notation, and of a new Series of Infinities, &c. By T. Taylor. 8vo. 8s.

A complete Exposure of the late Irish Miracles. By a rational Christian. 8vo. 2s. 6d.

NOVELS, TALES, &c. Percy Mallory. By the author of " Pen Owen.' In 3 vols. 8vo.

It has been objected as a fault to various novelists, that their readers too easily penetrate the mystery of their plots, and discern the conclusion of the story almost before they have well commenced it. No such error, however, can be imputed to the author of Percy Mallory, who has woven so intricate and inexplicable a plot, that, when the reader lays down the last volume, he still seems to be lost in its mazes. Children are changed and rechanged till all chance of ascer taining their paternity appears to vanish, and

scarcely a single personage in the work is without an alias. We have Percy Rycott, alias Percy Mallory, alias Lord Brandon: Mr. Leveson Rycott, alias Lord Harwedon; Judith Mallory, alias Mrs. Wigram; Loo Bellenden, alias Lady Louisa Clarendon. In short, it requires a vast exertion of ingenuity and attention to follow and comprebend the intricacies of the plot-a task which we can compare to nothing but the examination of an involved genealogical table. Should the reader, however, be fortunate enough to make himself acquainted with the plot (for which purpose we would recommend him to commence his labours with the perusal of the last volume) he will find much to repay him. There is considerable liveliness and spirit exhibited throughout the whole novel, and the characters are in general sketched with an able hand. Some of the scenes are, indeed, carelessly put together, and not a little outrage probability. Such are the scenes at the smuggler's rendezvous, and the trial at Carlisle. Were it not that the reader is puzzled and irritated with the complete mystification of the plot, he would pronounce Percy Mallory to be an amusing and clever novel.

Italian Tales. Tales of Humour, Gallantry, and Romance, selected and translated from the Italian, with sixteen illus. trative drawings, by George Cruikshank. 8vo. India paper, 14s.

Although the literature of Italy is exceedingly rich in its collections of novelle, yet little has hitherto been done to make the English reader acquainted with a class of writers, who, from the amusement they afford, and the insight which they give into the manuers of their times, must always be esteemed highly valuable. This may be attributed to several causes, and very princi. pally to the free nature of the Italian novels, which prohibits them from becoming popular amongst the mixed classes of our English readers. Another reason is the ascendancy which, for upwards of a century, the French novel has ob. tained in this country. In the reign of Henry VIII. and Elizabeth, the Italians were our models in works of fiction; but from the commencement of the seventeenth century, till the establishment of what may be called the English style of novelwriting, the spirit of the French novels evidently preponderated. With the exception of Boccacio, of whom there are three or four translations, very few attempts have been made since the time of Elizabeth to naturalize the Italian novelle. We apprehend, however, that it would be very possi. ble to make such a selection as might present a good idea of this school of writers, without in any degree offending the delicacy of modern eyes and ears. In the present publication, something has been effected towards the accomplishment of this object; though from the omission of the names of the authors, and from the confined nature of the work, it does not, in a literary point of view, fully satisfy our wishes, As a volume of light entertainment it possesses considerable merit, and its embellishments are of the best kind. The ability of Mr. George Cruikshank is so well known, that to say he does not in the present volume fall short of his former excellence, is sufficient praise. Many of his de

drew: to which are added, Parga, the Iphigenia of Timanthes, Palmyra, Emineh's Death, and other Poems. By Jacob Jones, jun. of the Inner Temple, and late of Brazennose College, Oxford. 8vo.

We notice the present volume principally on account of the preface it contains; in which Mr.

Jacob Jones has made what Capt. Dugald Dalgettie would call “an onslaught" upon the Royal Society of Literature. It appears that Mr. J. J., allured by the costly prizes promised by the R.S.L. "studied laboriously, and to the exclusion of his ordinary pursuits, for more than a quarter of a year;" and in this period, "by severe exertion," labouring "between thirteen and fourteen hours daily," produced "two hundred and forty-four pages of manuscript" on the subject of Homer's age, &c. to say nothing of his "penning verses on the Fall of Constantinople." The dissertation and the poem were tendered in due form to the Society, and Mr. J. J. waited for four additional months in " daily increasing anxiety, and all the fever of expectation," for the decision of the very learned body. At length, to the consterna. tion of Mr. J. J. and the other expectants, the R.S.L. determined that the promised gold was better bestowed in their own treasury than in the pockets of the applicants; and a cool notification was given of "the non-adjudgement of the prizes." Now, it certainly appears to us that if the R.S.L. will offer prizes, they ought to be content with the best aspirants who will condescend to claim them-and so thought Mr. J. J. That gentleman, disappointed in his literary views, and belonging, as appears from the titlepage, to one of our Inns of Court, resolved to try what the law could do in the way of redress, "and applied to a very eminent chamber counsel for his opinion, whether or not the Society had involved itself in an actionable frand!!" The lawyer, however, discovered that the agreement was a nudum pactum, and Mr. J. J.'s hopes vanished for ever. Still, however, the pleasures of vituperation were left him; and many are the hard names which he has unsparingly heaped upon the unfortunate R.S.L. "Awkward, unfeeling, and cool impudence"-" impudent cheat"— " unmannerly and impertinent"—" swindling transaction"—"flagrant and downright falsebood," &c. &c. Such are some of the first-fruits of the labours of the R.S.L. towards "purifying and fixing their native language."

With regard to the merits of Mr. Jones's poems we shall only observe, that they might have been worse. A few of the pieces at the conclusion of the volume are pleasingly written.

Clara Chester; a Poem. By the author of " Rome, "and "The Vale of Chamouni." 8vo. 7s. 6d.

THEOLOGY.

A new Edition of the Sermons of the Rev. James Saurin, Pastor of the French Church at the Hague. 6 vols. 8vo. 31. 3s.

A Monitor to Families; or Discourses on some of the Duties and Scenes of Domestic Life. By H. Belfrage, Minister of the Gospel. 12mo. 7s. 6d.

VOYAGES AND TRAVELS.

Memoirs of a Captivity amongst the Indians of North America, from Childhood to the age of Nineteen; with Anecdotes descriptive of their Manners and Customs: to which is added, some Account of the

Soil, Climate, and Vegetable Productions of the Territory Westward of the Mississippi. By John D. Hunter. 8vo.

The benevolent and ingenious author of the present memoirs has attracted considerable attention during his residence in this country, by the manly simplicity of his character, and the phi lanthropic views which he entertains. The avowed object of his visit to England is to collect such information as may enable him, with the greatest chance of success, to attempt the civilization of the Indian tribes, with whose character and manners he is so well acquainted. The mode in which he proposes to accomplish this beneficent design is by leading the natives.to adopt a more tranquil life, and to seek their sub. sistence by agriculture instead of the chase. views upon this subject are detailed in a little pamphlet printed for the use of the New England Company.

His

Mr.

The volume before us presents a mass of highly curious and authentic information relative to the present condition of the North American Indians, and we regret that our limits will not allow us to extract any part of its interesting contents. Hunter's personal history is, however, of so singular a nature, that we cannot forbear giving some slight account of it. He was captured by a party of Indians at so early a period of his life, that his memory only retains very imperfect traces of events which had previously occurred. Of the place of his nativity, and of his parentage, he is altogether ignorant. He can still call to mind the rush of the Indians, their warwhoop and yells, the massacre of his friends, and the burning of their dwellings. Two other white children, a boy and a girl, were also made prisoners at the same time with himself. The little girl beginning to cry, was despatched with a tomahawk, and he was himself threatened with a similar punishment. By degrees the young captive became ac. customed to an Indian life, and acquired a high reputation for the possession of those qualities most valued amongst his companions, more espe cially for his skill in the chase; whence he derived his name of the Hunter, an appellation which he still retains. At length a circumstance occurred, which in its results led him back to civilized life. The Indians with whom he was white traders, resolved to murder a Colonel Wat associated, being greatly exasperated against the kins and his party. Hunter appeared to ac quiesce in the project, but in the night removed the flints from the guns of the Indians, and mounting a swift horse, reached the Colonel's camp and informed him of his danger. Colonel Watkins escaped; and Hunter, finding it impossible to return to his former friends, soon afterwards entered the United States, where, by the kiudness of several gentlemen, he enjoyed the first advantages of education. From this period he has never ceased to thirst after useful knowledge,