only to diffuse happiness, to leave behind her a rich memorial of her virtues, causing an emotion to be felt that she so soon has passed away. What a striking contrast the tulip presents, which, dressed in gaudy drapery, flaunting her head to the breeze, and attracting the summer flies that skim around her; apt emblems of those careless daughters who live at ease, apparently forgetful that they are reasonable beings, accountable for their conduct while in this probationary state, and formed for an endless progression in perfection and felicity. In the nightblowing stock, which emits its perfume only in the gloom of the evening or the darkness of the night, do we not recognise that generous attachment which sheds around us the fragrance of affection when the sun of prosperity is succeeded by the night of adversity. Look at the forget-me-not, with its modest unassuming flower, fit emblem of friendship, peeping forth from its green mantle, seeming to shun the notice of the world, and delighting in retirement. How admirably does the mignonette represent a benevolent and unassuming individual, who, with modest exterior, hides his value from a casual observer. How much there is in a flower corresponding with the nature of man. The root, like his infancy, contains the whole of the future being, the gradual unfolding of the leaves resembles his youth, the flower manhood, and its gradual decay old age and death. Look at the gum-cistus: its blossoms are spread forth with an air of openness, and apparently it stands lastingly and firmly upon its stem. Alas! it is the emblem of fickleness; the first cold breeze dashes it to the ground. The humble violet, with its beautiful flower, hardly raising its head from the ground, and scenting the air with its delicious fragrance, aptly resembles the sensitive female, who, with modest unassuming loveliness, is formed to be a blessing to man; but if one unkind word is uttered, her happiness is gone-she droops and dies. Regard the jasmine, with its small white flower, its delicious odours, wafted by the breeze, climbing o'er some ruined wall, with its graceful foliage, and grateful for the support it receives, adds to its beauty, and conceals the ravages that time has madeis it not the emblem of gratitude? The poppy, with its gaudy flower, may he cited as an emblem of pride, as it hides, with a gay exterior, the baneful passion that it conceals within. The orange flower is an emblem of marriage. It has been customary, from the earliest times, to dedicate certain flowers to the honour of distinguished individuals. They are also frequently affixed, as symbols, to their portraits: thus, to instance a familiar example, the lily is introduced in the oldest paintings of the Madonna, and in pictures of the Annunciation it is placed in the hands of the Archangel, thereby denoting the advent of the Messiah. In the Song of Solomon, it is mentioned with the rose as an emblem of the church" I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valley." Hence, illuminated missals are often beautifully decorated with these distinguished flowers; and the scientific botanists of ancient and modern times have preserved the memory of the friends and enemies of their science by associating them with flowers of various descriptions. It is delightful thus to connect persons with shrubs and flowers; they bring to mind that happy land, where the names of the great and virtuous are fabled to be engraven on the blossoms of the trees.

J. B. B.

REVIEWS OF BOOKS.

"Nothing extenuate, nor aught set down in malice."

A Sketch of the Life and Character of Joan D'Arc. Churton, Holles

street.

NOTWITHSTANDING the great interest which must, of necessity, be felt by the reader of English and French history, in every particular relating to this extraordinary woman, we are not aware that there exists any sketch of her life beyond the mere brief notice found in most English histories. Such a work as the one now before us was, therefore, a desideratum. The author of this little volume appears to us to have collected, with great care and assiduity, all the information respecting the life and character of Joan D'Arc which the barren histories of the period afford, and we are confident that all our readers will feel gratified by its perusal. The work is embellished with a good and accurate map of the seat of war in the time of Joan D'Arc, and which, we think, will render the work doubly interesting.

Aphorisms of Junius. By G. J. FISHER. Hookham, Old Bond-street.

THIS little volume consists of "Constitutional Maxims, Civil and Political Precepts, and Moral Axioms and Propositions," selected with great judgment and impartiality from the Letters of Junius, and we recommend it cordially to all our readers.

Meetings for Amusing Knowledge. By Miss H. J. WOOD. Second Edition. Effingham Wilson, Royal Exchange.

THE easiest, and consequently the best, method of imparting knowledge to children, is by combining instruction with amusement. The truth of this has long been acknowledged by all who have paid the slightest attention to the subject, and it has given rise to the appearance of a vast number of works, which have been issued avowedly with such an intention. Of this class of books is the volume of Miss H. Wood now before us; and, we have no hesitation in saying that, from its intrinsic worth and elegant appearance, it deserves, and will obtain, an extensive circulation. Amongst the articles contained in it which merit more particular notice, is that entitled, "A Lecture on Shells," which explains in a clear and familiar manner as much as is required to be known of the interesting science of Conchology. We must not omit to notice the accurate coloured drawings of many of the most important shells, which certainly adds to the value and the interest of the work.

Historical Recollections of Hyde Park. By T. SMITH. Hogg, 25, Edgware-road.

LITTLE does the idle lounger in this fashionable place of resort imagine it to have been the scene of such a multiplicity of events as Mr. Smith's little work enumerates. It contains a full history of the Park, and of the numerous public buildings, &c., which are contained in it; an account of the various keepers; the ancient and modern amusements; military spectacles; executions, &c. We think that every one who has visited this spot should not fail to make himself acquainted with its history, which may be readily done by consulting Mr. Smith's work.

The Parterre; a Journal of Fiction, Poetry, History, and General Literature. Effingham Wilson, jun., 16, King William-street, London Bridge.

THIS elegant periodical has just completed its fifth volume. Numerous as are the publications, which the rage for cheap reading has ushered into existence, we think that there is not one which presents more powerful claims to patronage than "The Parterre," and the extensive circulation which it has obtained fully bears us out in our opinion. The tales, essays, &c., of which it consists are of the first order, and would shine in works of far higher pretensions. The wood-cuts (one of which illustrates every weekly number) are extremely well executed, and display an accurate knowledge of costume. This may, perhaps, be thought an unnecessary remark, but we can assure our readers that it is not so. Thus, for instance, we remember to have seen, some short time siuce, an embellishment of the siege of Acre by the Crusaders, in which a column of troops, clothed in the uniform of the present Coldstream Guards, are driving a host of Saracens before them. "The Parterre" is issued in weekly numbers, or monthly parts.

Russia, in Answer to a Manchester Manufacturer. Ridgway, Piccadilly. THIS is a very ably-written pamphlet.

Small Streams from the Ocean of Truth. By the Author of "Dying Hours." Darton and Sons.

THE contents of the little production before us are evidently the flowings of a sincere Christian's heart, warmed by the pure flame of devotion. It consists of detached pieces, both in prose and verse, paraphrases on some of the most important texts of Scripture, all of which are treated in a manner so elegant and pleasing, as cannot fail to be productive of delightful interest to all who despise not the language of truth, which here presents itself, decked in simplicity's sweetest garb. The verse is sweet and flowing, and the rhymes are never forced. We regret that our limits will not allow us to make an extract; and we are reluctantly compelled to take leave of this unassuming little volume, with a sincere wish that it may meet with the success which it so richly merits.

The Golden Almanack for 1837.-The Victoria Almanack for 1837. London: Howlett and Son, 10, Frith Street.

Of the numerous Almanacks which are now in existence, we may, without the fear of contradiction, affirm, that there are none present greater claims to admiration and to public patronage than those now before us. The former, as its name implies, is printed in Golden, the latter in Silver Letters; and altogether they present a very unique and elegant appearance. No drawing-room table should be without them.

MUSIC.

Lament on the Death of Amy Claude, Written, Composed, and Inscribed to her Memory, by her Friend and Instructor, EDWARD CRUSE. D'Almaine and Co.

THIS is a simple and unpretending composition, to the memory of an interesting child of extraordinary musical genius, a pupil of Mr. Cruse. The sombre and lamenting key of F minor is judiciously selected to express the deep feeling which the subject conveys. A pleasing contrast is afforded in that portion which modulates into its relative major of A flat, the tonic and dominant notes being simultaneously employed through eight consecutive bars, imitative of the funeral knell, which is ingenious, as it is happily and impressively conceived. The diatonic progression of the base from the fifth to the sixth bar, has a good effect, and is in strict keeping with the dirge-like character of its simple strains.

THE DRAMA.

DRURY LANE.-Mr. Sheridan Khowles' play of the Wrecker's Daughter, and Mr. Forrest's impersonations of some of the finest characters of our immortal bard, have been alternated here during the past month. In speaking of the former, we can only echo the opinion of our contemporaries, who have all written so much and so ably in its praise. With one exception alone, Mr. Knowles may be considered as the only living dramatist who can at all be compared with those of bygone days. It is such plays as the one now under consideration, that tend to fulfil the noblest purposes of the drama, by shewing that, however the virtuous may be cast down, and the wicked flourish, yet, that eventually, the one must triumph, and the other received the punishment which sooner or later, never fails to wait on crime. The principal character, Marian, (which, by the bye, was excellently played by Miss Huddart)—is placed in a series of the most trying and desperate situatious, and from which, throughout the drama, she has numerous opportunities of escape, if she will only consent to do wrong, and in the end as a reward for her refusal to quit the paths of virtue and of truth, Mr. Knowles has shewn that there is a protecting Providence above her, through which alone she escapes from the dangers which surround her. The dialogue throughout is interspersed with passages of the greatest beauty-and the drama itself will add much to the reputation of its talented author-Our space forbids our making any lengthy remarks on the performance; suffice it to say, that the whole of the characters were most ably sustained, and the drama itself has met with that unequivocal success it so justly merits. Of Mr. Forrest's performances, we regret that we cannot speak in terms of praise. In our opinion he is but little calculated for the arduous characters he has undertaken-His impersonation of Macbeth, is, 'tis true, in some parts excellent; but in those characters where the finer passions of human nature require to be pourtrayed, such for instance, as Othello, King Lear, &c.—his performance is a complete and most lamentable failure.-On Monday, the 19th of December, he played the character of Virginius in Mr. Sheridan Knowles' beautiful drama of that name, and in this he was more successful.-A new grand ballet, entitled the Devil on Two Sticks, has been likewise produced with tolerable success-We do not however think, that it is a piece at all fitted for either of our national theatres.

COVENT GARDEN.-The performances at this theatre, have, during the past month, been distinguished for their classical character-King John, Julius Cæsar, Othello, Hamlet, The Stranger, Romeo and Juliet, &c. have been brought out in succession, and with a cast of characters, and an attention to seenery and costume, which these noble productions so justly merit.-The house has, every evening, been literally crammed to the ceiling, at this, however, we are not in the least surprised, for the lovers of the legitimate drama, will never, perhaps, have such an opportunity of witnessing such performances as those which have of late graced these classic boards. This is certainly the best answer that can be given to those who would affirm that all taste for legitimate drama hss passed away from among us—and that spectacle alone will produce overflowing audiences.

On the 23rd ultimo, Mr. Charles Kemble took his final leave of the stage, in the character of Benedict in Shakspeare's Comedy of "Much ado about uothing." It is with feelings of the greatest regret, that we have thus witnessed the departure of the last of the Kembles from those boards which they have so long graced; and that too in the possession of all his vigour and faculties-It is true that we have many who shine in the higher walks of the drama still among us-but where in future, shall we look for a Charles Surface, a Cassio, a Felix, or a Benedic!.

THE ST. JAMES' The spirited Manager of this splendid Theatre, appears determined to deserve the support of the public, by the production of a succession of novelties, which are in the highest degree, creditable to his taste. The best, and consequently the first of which we thall speak, is the operatic burletta of the Village Coquettes," which was performed for the first time, on the 8th of December. The drama is written by Mr. Charles Dickens, more

VOL. I.

D

generally known by the title of "Boz"-and is certainly one of the most agreeable pieces that we have witnessed for a very long time. The comic portions of the dialogue, possess that degree of sprightliness and vivacity, for which this gentleman has become so celebrated; the serious scenes are likewise written with a simple and forcible pathos that cannot fail to please.Mr. Dickens has been long favourably known to the public, as one of the best comic writers, and if we may be allowed to augur from his suceess in the "Village Coquettes," we should say, that he is destined likewise to shine as a dramatist.

The music of the "Village Coquettes," is by Mr. John Hullah, a gentleman hitherto unknown in the musical world. Judging by the sweet and graceful music in this exquisite little opera, we venture to assert, that Mr. Hullah will rise to eminence in his profession. The melodies throughout are in true keeping with the subject, and the accompaniments are uniformly judicious. One of the most striking songs in the whole piece, is the one beginning." There's a charm in spring," sung by Mr. Braham, in his very best style, which nightly produces a rapturous encore. "Autumn Leaves,' sung by Mr. Bennett, is also a most charming melody. Mr. Parry Jun. sings, My fair home is no longer mine"-in the very purest taste, and correct intonation. But were we to name all the beauties in this Opera, we should be compelled to give a list of the music. We will therefore, for the present content ourselves with saying, that we have derived the greatest gratification in listening to the music of the "Village Coquettes" and to all our readers we would say, "Go and do likewise."

66

We have written so much on the Opera, that in our limited space, we have but little left to notice the other pieces. Mr. Barnett continues to delight the frequenters of this Theatre, in the character of M. Jacques. There is a truth and force in his acting, which never fails to draw tears from the female portion of his auditory. Mr. Strickland's performance in the farce of "Delicate Attentions"-in a manner so excellent, as at once to place him in a high rank in our estimation.

ADELPHI.—Mr. Rice has been performing here during the past month, and he continues as attractive as at the Surrey. We recommend our readers to witness the drama of Paulina, in which Mr. Gomersal performs the part of Napoleon.

MEETING OF SOCIETIES DURING THE MONTH.

LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC.

December 6th. The ordinary meeting of the HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY was held this evening, H. M. Dyer, Esq., V.P, in the chair.-Several presents were announced, and amongst them the Flora Batava from the King of Holland. The secretary read a report of some experiments on the culture of the potato, by planting it so as to leave space for the free action of light. The month of March was found the most beneficial for planting, and it was also ascertained that the greatest quantity of potatoes was produced, when the tubes were planted at a depth of six inches, and the least when at three inches.

December 7th. The ordinary meeting of the LINNEAN SOCIETY, was held this evening, A. B. Lambert, Esq. M. P. in the chair' A communication was read from the chairman on the culture of the Peruvian grain, called quirrod, which is grown to a considerable extent in Upper Peru, as a substitute for corn, there being at an elevation of thirteen thousand feet, very extensive fields of this plant. Two species were exhibited from the gardens of the chairman, the stems of which exceeded twelve feet in height. A paper was also read from Professor Don on two species of the natural orde conifera, one of them, the pinus frutia, from Calabria, was nearly related to the maritime pine of Greece, attaining a considerable size, and yielding timber, of a very superior quality.-The other was a native of New Holland, and was disccovered by Banks and Sollander in the first voyage of Captain Cook.