festivities, by which you would make it appear that I associate you with me only in gout and head-ache, and refuse to admit you as an accomplice in the delight of eating and drinking, while the truth is, that you share with me all the pleasures of a banquet, and cannot deny that I impart to you the flavour of wine as frankly as I communicate a pang of gout. You are never excluded from my palate, nor is there a taste or sensation in it which is kept a secret from you. I am not therefore to be persuaded that you have less pleasure from our enjoyments than I have; but so unreasonable are you, that while you never fail to demand from me your full share of enjoyment, you wish me to keep all the pain for myself. If you had not your part of the delight, I think you would not so easily acquiesce in our pleasures; for when any pernicious food is to be devoured, or a few supernumerary goblets are to be drained, I always find you a willing associate. "Mind. That I deny; I never fail to remonstrate against your vices.

"Body. Yes; when there is no banquet ready, you pass the time in admiring temperance, and sometimes you tell me that we will certainly begin to practise it; but when the opportunity arrives, when the table is before us, and we sit down to be temperate,-you forget all our plans, and suffer us to be undone without the least expostulation.

"That you may not seem to authorise our irregularities, you pretend to be careless and forgetful, while in truth you heartily enjoy what we are doing. When I stretch out my hand to the goblet, you seem to be thinking of something else; when I help myself to a luxurious dish, though you know how perniciously it is composed, you wink at the ingredients, and give me no warning against it. Nor is this all, but you frequently labour even to corroborate my imprudence; and when, from a regard to health, we hesitate to partake of something that we both love, you can instantly find some casuistry to justify the dish, affirming that it has not all the malice imputed to it, or we have tried it before, and survived, or perhaps, this once it may do no harm, with many such evasions, which I never should have had genius to invent. But if you really disapprove of intemperance, why do not you positively forbid it?

"Mind. If I sometimes want the firmness to control you, I ought not to be reproached with it by you, who betray me into every frailty. All my base appetites I receive from you; the immortal soul has no love of wine or rich viands. It is by your means only that plausible dishes ever prevail against me. Without your persuasion, the most urgent meats would fail to move me; but you give them a specious flavour, and misrepresent them to me in such a variety of tastes that I am deceived.

"You are always contriving to mislead me, and it is impossible that I should defend myself against a perpetual intrigue of the five senses. You incessantly instigate me to evil, and molest me with a thousand vile desires, which never permit me to enjoy that state of reason and tranquillity which is natural to me. By your arts I am enfeebled and

debased, so that even the blandishments of a goblet of wine overcome me, and then you upbraid me with my compliance.

"Body. Nothing can be more unjust than to charge me with these evil suggestions. My volup tuousness takes place only while a meal lasts: you have enjoyment also in recollecting past pleasures, and looking forward to new. It is your own fancies that solicit you, and not my entreaties. I have no pleasure in a goblet of wine, except at the moment of commission; you expect it for hours before, revolve it in your thoughts, consider the flavour of it, and then when the peril arrives, you accuse me of your not being able to refuse the draught.

"I have certainly given you the first hint of our pleasures, but you have improved upon my suggestions, and pursued them till they became luxury.

"Real appetite is too dilatory for you, and you therefore practise a thousand artifices to be hungry. Often, too, when I have been quite disabled by excess, you make use of variety and persuasive dishes to give me new resolution for a debauch; and in all our other pleasures you endeavour to revive me in the same manner. My inclinations are slow to be provoked, and soon satisfied. You are indefatigably voluptuous."

We regret that our limits will not allow us to give the whole of this beautiful dialogue, the rest of which relates to the passion of love, avarice, &c., &c.

The Andalusian Annual. Coloured Plates.

Macrone.

A NEW Annual is, apart from all play upon the word, an actual novelty. Year after year, altered only in its phrases, the same venerable body has been presented to our notice; the same entertainment, in fact, but with new scenery, dresses, and decorations. At length, however, a real change has been effected; it is no longer a mere modifica tion of the old genus, Annual, that is brought before us, but we see the discovery of an entirely new species. Beautiful as were the portraits of this Duchess, or the other Countess; or a child with a pitcher; or a Landscape with the setting Sun; the subjects become every year less susceptible of variation. We are far from denying, also, the surpassing splendour of those architectural recollections of foreign countries which have of late been resorted to as the means of variety. But mere architectural beauty, whether the splendid result of Grecian taste, Gothic elaboration, or Moorish fancy, did, and could, only tell a melancholy tale of bygone days; there was wanting the charm that never fails to be found in the representation of living manners.

The Andalusian Annual appears to us to fill up this chasm in our lighter periodical literature. We are placed on a scene, necessarily new to the greater part of our countrymen; the dark-eyed beauties of the South, still glowing from their own sunny clime, move before us with all the life and reality of nature; and we see that strange com

pound of romance and robbery-of a life of occasional violence with a leisure of habitual laziness which forms the characteristic distinction of the Spanish peasant. We have the music and the song, in which the lawless pursuits of the one sex, and the scarcely less dangerous coquetry of the other, find a common relaxation; and sketches and anecdotes fill up, and complete the picture of Andalusian life. With respect to the manner in which the literary department of this elegant work has been executed, it is perhaps enough to say that, to our eye at least, the fine Spanish hand of the Author of "the Court and Camp of Don Carlos," is distinctly visible through the whole of it. The very excusable morceau of Milesian modesty, which talks in the title-page, of that Gentleman as the Editor of the annual, can only blind the very inexperienced reader. But there was no occasion for disguise; the man who can write history at one moment, and disport himself among the pleasures of rural life in the next, may take our word for it, that he needs wear no mask.

The illustrations, carefully, and we should think very expensively, coloured after original drawings by a Native Artist, to whom the objects are familiar from his youth, and from whose pencil they come with all the warmth of a Spanish sunshine-for he never saw any other are, in themselves, the best guarantee of their fidelity. We should suggest, however, that if a little pains had been taken, in colouring the prints, to subdue the rosy hue which is too prononcé for Spanish complexions, the general effect would have been improved.

Upon the whole, we are much pleased with the Andalusian Annual; and the " Editor," (if he be resolved to persist in his incognito) is justly entitled to the public thanks, as the discoverer of a new source of pleasure.

examination of his Lordship's claims, but we heartily wish that his endeavours to establish them may prove as successful as they are just. His case must be considered one of the most extraordinary of les Causes célèbres recorded in the legal annals of Britain. The statement, which with the appendix, forms a quarto volume, of about two hundred and fifty pages, is published in the French language as well as in English. Two thousand five hundred practical recipes in Family Cookery;

In which the whole art of preparing food and drink for the human stomach is simplified and explained, in accordance to the best knowledge of the age and most conducive to the health and happiness of our species; with an INTRODUCTION on the duties of Cooks and other Servants; observations on the implements employed in cooking; instructions for marketing, for trussing, and for performing the honours of the table with grace and propriety in the whole art of carving. By James Jennings, author of the Family Cyclopædia. Sherwood and Co.

This volume exhibits great literary as well as culinary research. The title-page, comprehensive as it is, omits to mention the most attractive, if not the most useful portion of the work,-" outlines of the history of the art of Cookery," in which the progress of this important pursuit is traced from the creation of the world to the present time. We have often thought that a "Culinary Annual" would be a most profitable speculation. Mr. Jennings's admirable production splendidly bound, with gilt edges, would rival the most elegant of those holiday publications. To single ladies, it would afford decisive proof of a dangler's intentions.

Souvenirs and Keepsakes are equivocal tokens of attachments, but a present of "Two thousand five hundred practical recipes in Family Cookery "

ings;

And other measures, resorted to by the British Government, and numerous private Individuals, to overpower the Earl of Stirling, and subvert his lawful rights, written by himself. Also a Genealogical account of the Family of Alexander, Earls of Stirling, &c., compiled from MSS. in the possession of the family. Followed by an historical view of their hereditary possessions in Nova Scotia, Canada, &c., by Ephraim Lockart, Esq., with a copious appendix of royal charters and other docu

ments.

There are few books more interesting and instructive than those which relate to the romance of real life, yet the perusal of them is too often considered a task rather than a recreation. Like the lady, who was delighted with Plutarch's Lives till she was told they were not novels-readers in search of amusement prefer fiction to truth. We are not exempt from this failing; and confess we were somewhat surprised to find ourselves not less interested and amused by the Earl of Stirling's statement than we have been by any novel of the It is not our province to enter into an

season.

loin, the part above (sur) the loins: and this seems the most probable etymology of the word.

"PORRIDGE-Leeks mixed tolerably fine were employed in the west in almost all the broth, which was taken in the morning instead of tea; such broth was generally called by the name of porridge, from the Latin name porrum for the leek; hence there was a vessel called porringer, a sort of basin with handles, out of which the porridge was eaten. It was sometimes made of pewter, and sometimes of some coarse earthenware."

A History of British Quadrupeds, by Thomas Bell, F. R. S., F. L. S. Illustrated by a wood-cut of each species and numerous vignettes.

THE fifth and sixth numbers of this popular history are at least equal, if not superior, to the excellent specimens of the work which preceded them. They are chiefly occupied with descriptions and cuts of the faithful servant, companion, and friend of man, the dog. Little that is new could be offered on this familiar subject, but both Author and Artist have exerted themselves strenuously and successfully in its illustration. The history of the varieties of the Seal family is less trite, and is executed with equal fidelity and talent.

Cabinet of Art, and Literary Souvenir. Edited by Alaric A. Watts. Whitaker and Co.

Ir is painful to confess, that amidst the superabundance of Annuals we feel ourselves, like holiday children, surfeited with good things. The most luxurious viands fail to revive our sated appetite. This splendid Cabinet is filled with choice articles of a novel description, yet, tempting as they are, they do not obtain the favour in our sight that was bestowed on their predecessors. The literary contents of the present series are unexceptionable. The subjects of art are happily chosen, and the engravings highly finished; to withhold our tribute of praise to the Editor, the Authors, and Artists, would be the height of injustice. We have no doubt their exertions will be rewarded with a more than common proportion of public patronage; but the share they receive must be great indeed to repay the lavish, expense incurred in the production of the work.

66

which this paramount object has been effected, will ensure a longer career to this production than is usually enjoyed by light sketches of fashionable life, which, like the beings they depict, come like shadows, so depart." Mr. Lionel Wakefield's negociation with an eminent publisher to produce a work of this description, will give a fair specimen of the style in which his adventures are written :—

"Pemberton procured me an early interview with Mr. Dickers, who signified his willingness to do business with me, provided I could accede to his terms. Accordingly, on the appointed day, I presented myself at his shop or warehouse, not without some share of that trepidation which I believe most young authors experience when about to submit their modest pretensions, for the first time, to the

calculating scrutiny of a bookseller.

"After having patiently endured for some time the supercilious glances of the clerks and hangerson in the outer office, to whom my visage was a stranger, I was ushered into the presence of the bibliopole himself. He was a little elderly man,

with a countenance in which not one trace of bene

volence could be discovered, nor indeed any passion, except that of acquiring can be so termed. His face, indeed, might have been taken by a painter as the emblem of hard commercial shrewdness. After a short greeting, he drew two chairs to a table, desired me to be seated in one, and himself took possession of the other.

"I understand, Mr. Wakefield,' said he, 'that you are desirous of writing a work upon the manners and customs of the different savage nations?'

"I stared with surprise at such a question, and assured Mr. Dickers that I had never entertained an idea of undertaking such a task.

"True, true,' said the publisher, recollecting himself. Wakeley is the name of the savage author;-Wakefield, I believe, is the name of the gentleman I have the pleasure of speaking to. You are a friend of Mr. Pemberton's ?'

"I answered in the affirmative. "Ay, ay, exactly so you propose, Sir, I think, to write upon the manners of the day?'

"I assented, and Mr. Dickers begged to know in what form I intended to treat the subject. I replied, that I should be glad of his advice upon that point.

"'Hum, hum,' said the bookseller, rubbing his chin musingly: you've lived in the fashionable

Sydenham. Bentley.

CREDIT for the possession of a superior degree of talent and tact, has been universally given to the author of these amusing volumes. In confirming the justice of this award, we feel imperatively called upon to add a farther tribute of praise to the constant -endeavour that has been evinced to render the work instructive as well as entertaining. While reading the adventures of the versatile hero, we are never for a moment allowed to lose sight of the evil consequences which follow the slightest deviation from the path of integrity. The unostentatious style in

"I acknowledged that I had had that advantage. "Yes, yes, very good ;-something in the novel line. Perhaps you could give us a few genuine anecdotes of high life, and introduce some portraits of leading fashionables; then, for interest, you could throw in a love affair-a crim. con. we'll say, to make it piquant, eh ?—just something clever and off-hand like that, eh?"

"I said that I should be happy to adopt his hints, but I doubted whether I should be quite au fait at the plot and arrangement indispensable to a

work of fiction.

"Oh yes! plot and arrangement, to be sure.

we'll send you a person to manage all that,- -3 very clever man, whom we employ for that express purpose; yes, yes. He made the plot of Lord Mazarine's last novel, and that thing of the Honourable Captain Rosemary's which had such a run,-I forget the name. You shall see him and settle about it now, if you please.' So saying, he rang the bell, and desired the attendance of Mr. Jem

mett.

"The contriver of plots presently made his appearance in the form of a tall, bulky, middleaged man, to whom Mr. Dickers named me as a gentleman who was going to write a fashionable novel, well stored with point and personality, for

which he was required to furnish a suitable vehicle in the shape of a plot. Mr. Jemmett, without changing a muscle of his unmeaning countenance, intimated that he comprehended my wants, and asked when he should wait upon me for the purpose of submitting the stores of his inventive capacity to my selection. I named the following day; and Mr. Jemmett having made a note of the engagement, bowed and withdrew.

"It remained only to come to a specific agreement. The worthy publisher had either not formed a very high idea of the magnitude of the task which he set me, or he was endowed with authors possessed of wonderful activity; for he expected me to produce him two volumes containing a certain quantity of letter-press-a novel of high life, interspersed with highly-wrought portraits, anecdotes, &c., all within the short space of one little month ! However, that I might not disgust him by any appearance of want of capacity or energy, I undertook to do it. The terms offered and accepted were a division of profits a bargain by which I could lose nothing beyond time and labour, and might gain to an indefinite amount. I took my leave of Mr. Dickers with spirits greatly elated, congratulating myself upon my adversity, which had taught me, as I verily flattered myself, a sure and easy access to the temple of fame and fortune.

"The next morning I was closeted with Mr. Jemmett, by whom I was amply supplied with what he was modestly pleased to term the mechanical part of my undertaking. The scene which took place between me and this gentleman might have afforded considerable amusement to a spectator: but I will not betray the most sacred mysteries of book making, let it suffice to say, that the aids and instructions of Mr. Jemmett were of essential importance."

ziner be dull upon the Spanish War, he soon has us up again with the Ghost in Cock Lane; if the reader begins to doze upon that, he quickly roused by an Eastern tale; tales prepare as for poetry, and poetry for the meteorological history of the weather." In fine, said the worthy Doctor, "it is the life and soul of a Magazine never to be long dull upon one subject; and the reader, like the sailor's horse, has at least the comfortable refreshment of having the spur often changed." In our utilitarian time, variety is not always the characteristic of such publications. A class of periodicals has arisen, each of which is devoted to

a separate branch of art or science, and it must be confessed that, if the monological Magazines are less amusing than their miscellaneous rivals, they have the advantage of being more useful.

The Professors and Amateurs of Gardening may at a small expense, obtain from the Horticultural Magazine, all the current information that can be gathered concerning their delightful pursuit; while the subscribers to the Magazines of Health and Domestic Economy, are cheaply instructed in the best means of gaining the most invaluable of earthly blessings,—EASE AND COMFORT. The Economy of Health.

Johnson.-S. Highley.

By Dr. James

THIS is a work, as may be guessed from its title, intended more for the general reader than the Author's professional brethren, and to such we can with confidence recommend it. In considering his subject, the Author has divided life into septenniads, and has endeavoured to point out the various ways in which the mind and body are influenced in each of these periods by the modes of life and systems of education in use at the present time, and to suggest remedies for their defects. The third and fourth septenniads in particular, cannot but be highly interesting to all mothers. The style is original and pleasing, occasionally perhaps a little eccentric; we very much regret that our space will not allow us to give any extract, but we feel confident that, on the score of amusement alone, no one will regret looking through these pages. Of course the realization of the Author's views, on the improvement of the Physique and Morale, the preservation of a 66 mens sana in corpore sano," will depend on the attention paid to his suggestions.

Quadrilles composed by Frederick Antonio Weber. Dean, Bond Street.

THESE delicious morceaux might furnish a dramatic composer with more than the usual quantity of melody for a grand opera. Weippart should adopt them forthwith. They will be the most popular things of the season.

WE feel great pleasure in stating that strong symptoms of a reviving taste for the most rational amusement that human ingenuity has devised, have lately been shown. In spite of the enmity of some well meaning persons, and the indifference of many, that beautiful art, "which poetry, music, and painting have vied to adorn," seems likely once more to receive the share of public favour its importance as a powerful agent of moral improvement demands. Its moral tendency may, indeed, be disputed (to use the language of Sir Walter Scott)" by those who entertain a holy horror of the very name of a Theatre, and who imagine impiety and blasphemy are inseparable from the drama. We have no room to argue with such persons; or we might endeavour to prove that the dramatic art is in itself as capable of being directed

either to right or wrong purposes, as the art of printing. It is true, that even after a play has been formed upon the most virtuous model, the man who is engaged in the duties of religion will be better employed than he who is seated in a Theatre, and listening to it. To those abstracted and enwrapt spirits who feel, or suppose, themselves capable of remaining constantly involved in heavenly thoughts, any sublunary amusement may justly seem frivolous. But the mass of mankind are not so framed. The Supreme Being, who claimed the seventh day as his own, allotted the six days of the week to purposes merely human. When the necessity of daily labour is removed, and the call of social duty fulfilled, that of moderate and timely amusement claims its place, as a want inherent in our nature. To relieve this want, and fill up the mental vacancy, games are devised, books are written, music is composed, spectacles and plays are invented and exhibited. And if these last have a moral and virtuous tendency; if the sentiments expressed tend to rouse our love of what is noble, and our contempt of what is mean; if they unite hundreds in a sympathetic admiration of virtue, abhorrence of vice, or derision of folly, it will remain to be shown how far the spectator is more criminally engaged, than if he had passed the evening in the idle gossip of society; in the feverish pursuits of ambition; or in the unsated and insatiable struggle after gain-"the graver employments of the present life, but equally unconnected with our existence hereafter." As we wish to divert the attention of our readers to the necessity which exists for some amelioration of the laws for the government of the stage, we have quoted the favourable opinion of its tendency held by one of the greatest and best of men; such testimony cannot fail to prove, even to the most rigid puritan, how worthy the subject is of serious consideration.

There are at present twelve Theatres open in the Metropolis and its immediate vicinity :DRURY LANE, COVENT GARDEN, ADELPHI,

OLYMPIC,

ST. JAMES'S, QUEEN'S, SURREY,

VICTORIA,

SADLER'S WELLS,

PAVILION,

GARRICK,

and the LYCEUM, with an Italian Company.

According to Dr. Drake, there was in the sixteenth century no fewer than fourteen distinct companies of players, with very considerable privi

leges and remunerations; they acted under licences, which appear to have been granted for the purpose of police alone, not of exclusive privilege or monopoly. Even when we include our Theatres which are now closed, the

KING'S, ITALIAN OPERA HOUSE,
HAY-MARKET,

STRAND,

ASTLEY'S, and

NORTON-FOLGATE,

a newly licensed minor theatre, the number appears greatly disproportioned to the increase of population which has taken place since the above mentioned period. It is true that this seeming disproportion will be somewhat diminished when we reflect on the great increase of size in the Theatres and of the number of performers in the Companies; but there is still something to be added on the other side in consequence of a proportionate increase in the number of auditors caused by the improvement which has taken place in the education of the middle and lower classes of society. These particulars are worthy of remark in consequence of the discontent manifested by the proprietors of the large houses at the privileges which have been tardily granted for the extension and improvement of the dramatic art, and for the accommodation of the public.

That the recently granted licences will ultimately tend to the improvement of the art will be readily confessed by all who have witnessed the superior style in which many excellent dramas have been produced at the three chief Minor Theatres, the Adelphi, the Olympic, and St. James's.

The sticklers for exclusive rights must admit that the brief season hitherto allowed to these theatres has been encroached upon by the permission lately obtained for foreign performance at the Lyceum;