and this is the portion of the volume that we have read with most pleasure. But we doubt not that the whole of it will be popular. Jennings's Landscape Annual. Edited by W. H. HARRISON, Author of "Tales of a Physician." This volume is devoted to the glories of Portugal, and the illustrations, generally speaking, are worthy of the subject. They are all taken from drawings by James Holland, an artist of great merit and remarkable fidelity. The views of Oporto, of the Serra Convent, the Bar of the Douro, Coimbra, the old cathedral of Coimbra, the street of Misericordia in Leiria, and, above all, the four views taken at or in the great Abbey of Batalha—that wonderful monument of Portuguese wealth, and taste, and superstition-are of surpassing beauty and interest. Indeed, these four last plates have given us as much pleasure as all the plates of all the Annuals put together. The letter-press, by Mr. Harrison, affords some pleasant, light reading; but, as a bonne bouche, as something the most exquisite and perfect of its kind, we would direct our readers' attention to Mr. Beckford's description of Alcobaça and Batalha, which was written nearly half a century ago, but published only some three years since, by Mr. Bentley, in a small volume that may be devoured in the course of one winter evening. Tranquil Hours. Poems. By Mrs. EDWARD THOMAS. Mrs. Thomas has printed, in this elegant little volume, some very touching poems. Several are lyrical, one of which has already been set to music by Mr. Willis. As a first production, which we take it to be, it is certainly very creditable to the fair authoress. Did our limits permit, we could easily support our commendation by extracts; but must content ourselves with the following specimen, which will, we trust, procure for these "Tranquil Hours a place in many a tranquil home. "There is a word that must be spoke, On which affection's tones will dwell, Yet throbs my breast with anxious pain; Unpitying thoughts prophetic tell Perchance we ne'er may meet again,- Ah me! whatever grief awaits, On thee shall tend'rest memory dwell; While hope's bright ray irradiates The gloom of this farewell! Sweet girl! could I thy fate divine, 'Twould hush the sighs my bosom swell; Assured felicity were thine, Tho' brought by our farewell! The pensive woe it gives to part, The fond regret the tear may tell, That sparkles from my sorrowing heart To gem our sad farewell! Could I decree thy future lot, Pleasure and love should with thee dwell; The Lost Evidence. By HANNAH BURDON, Author of "Seymour of Sudley." In 3 vols. Miss Burdon is already advantageously known to the public by her former work, "Seymour of Sudley ;" and her present production will, we have no doubt, carry her still further on the tide of favour. She possesses, in a high degree, the talent of graphic delineation, as well as of vivid conception of character-those two qualifications so essential to the novelist, especially in the path of history. We shall quote a passage or two, which, to those not familiar with Miss Burdon's writings, will give an idea of the style of the work. 'Deeply impressed with one of those dark presentiments of evil from which, like the shadow of an unseen thing, reason frequently struggles vainly to escape, Lady Dacres lingered, after all the congregation had dispersed, gazing, with sad feelings, upon the stone-sculptured tombs of her predecessors, where cross-legged knights and pious dames lay, with their up-turned fingers, like cold corpses, on a bier, decked in the harness and their robes of state. "Last type of human vanity,' she murmured, 'a little while, and you shall crumble like the dust below, and not a relic of that graven legend will remain more than if writ on water. Fame, honour, wealth, 'tis thus you pass away, poisoning the life that's spent in winning you, and won but to be buried in the grave. So frail are all things built on men's opinion, and wretched he who labours for mankind's applause, who rather far would blame him! Too late I learn there is a nobler end of being, which even those who crave mere peace of mind should ever hold in viewfor, in God's service, they will win that bliss which mingles not in the intoxicating draught of criminal or passionate delight the young heart doth too often miscall happiness. Too late I learn to doubt my sinful nature-too late I learn the secrets of the chain which links our passions and our griefs together! Alas, too late! For, though the body perishes, the spirit's deeds have no annihilation, and, by ourselves created, will exist to be our curse or blessing through eternity! Now, even now, my punishment begins!' "For a moment she laid her hand upon the icy marble, for a moment she gazed around her like one who saw not matter, but the ideal images of thought, and then awakening, as from a trance, to the ordinary realities of life, she pressed her clasped hands on her heart, and exclaimed, 'Come what may come, I henceforth am prepared ;' and, with a lofty and steady carriage, walked slowly from the sacred edifice. "She crossed the grass-grown burying-ground, where mossy and rough hewn stones were the only memorials of the humble dead who had gone to the grave in peace, and the redbreast, as it flew from mound to mound, was chirping its cheerful note. The peasants had all passed away, and no one was to be seen but the lady's own attendants, who stood with the horses, awaiting her coming, on the road without the enclosure. She mounted her quiet jennet, and turned its head towards the castle, though with even more than her usual aversion she thought of returning to its walls." "Witherington and his companion had no sooner reached the ground in safety than they hurried with the utmost anxiety from the castle walls across the deep ravine which skirted them to the south; and, turning abruptly to the right, made all speed to gain the Stobb Hill, where it was their intention to purchase horses. But when they had climbed the steep bank, on which the farm-house was situated, they found, with no little dismay, but only as might reasonably have been expected, that all its inhabitants were fast asleep. It was in vain they battered at the doors, no one answered their summons; and, afraid of losing time, Luke proposed they should at once proceed to the stable, and take such cattle as pleased them. "We are out of reach of the Stannington watch and ward, and your name, Maister, at the worst, wad be security enough, or I should na relish being caught horse-stealing,' said the trusty fellow, as he led forth two stout geldings, which the gentleman had assisted him to saddle, and, without running further risk by needless delay, they vaulted on their backs, and were nearly out of hearing when the farmer at length aroused, and, discovering his loss, came out, and bawled after them as loud as he was able; but, as he had no four-footed creature left to assist him in pursuing the thieves, he was fain, before long, to desist from this useless exercise of his lungs, and to return with many curses and lamentations to his bed. "The anxiety of poor Luke on his brother's account quite equalled that of Witherington, who perhaps, during that ride, thought more of Edith Ogle than either of his mother or Leonard Dacres. But such was the speed with which they both urged on their horses, that in less than an hour they stood before the gates of Bothal Castle, and challenged the warder for admission. No sooner had Witherington announced his name than the drawbridge was immediately lowered, and Lord Ogle, having been made acquainted with the pressing nature of his business, not many minutes elapsed before the nobleman joined him. "By the Queen, God bless her, I thought you were lost, Mr. Witherington,' he exclaimed; we were a-foot last night till twelve, in hopes of your return, and my men have orders to be under arms at sunrise, to go with me in search of you.' "I have been made prisoner, and escaped with difficulty from the clutches of that arch traitor, Leonard Dacres,' he replied. "Ha! matters then with him are drawing to a head, if he presumes thus far.' "I trust they are, my lord,' said the young man, in hurried accents, for we have proof that it was he who shed my father's blood, and not Mr. Ogle.' "You astonish me!' "I do but speak the truth, my lord, as time will quickly prove; and come to seek my servants, who are lodged beneath your roof, and such light troopers as you will please to grant me-twelve in all, if you are so inclined, to intercept a party of his men who are this morning to convey a worthy man and most material evidence of all his villanies to his stronghold at Naworth.' "Take as many of my people as it likes you, the service is a good one,' was the nobleman's reply. "And, moreover, I will venture to propose,' continued Witherington,' that you should march against Morpeth without delay, where I trust, on my return, to join you about about nine o'clock, and thus at once arrest the traitor Dacres, or force him to stand a siege.' "I have orders from the Court to keep an eye on him,' was Lord Ogle's reply, 'for he is solely mistrusted; but many of my men have but newly come in, and lack rest for a day or two to refresh their horses, and to fit their armour, before they can much avail in such hard service.' "The march will not be long,' returned Witherington, and I pray you to remember, my lord, how much honour to yourself, how much good service to her blessed majesty the Queen, and quiet to this harassed country, will result from your arrest. ing this dark plotting traitor, before he has again lighted the firebrand of rebellion through the land.' "You say truly,' replied his listener, and if my forces are sufficient, it might do me much credit to succeed in such a stroke before Lord Hunsdon or Lord Scroope came to take all the praise.' "His men are but new levies, and at most five hundred,' answered Witherington. And there is without doubt sufficient evidence of his treasons to justify me in such a proceeding,' returned the slow-headed peer. 66 6 You gave me strong proof of his guilt ere we parted,' said the young man, ' and every hour has but confirmed it.' "Well, well, the plan is feasible, and, after the instructions I have received, cannot, I believe, bring me into any trouble with the Court; so I comply, Mr. Witherington, and will strike without warrant for once. At nine I must be before the walls, did you say ?' "At nine, my lord.' "At nine, then, I will meet you.'" Here we must close, recommending "The Lost Evidence" to the attentive perusal of those of our readers who delight to find themselves transported by the efforts of genius to scenes and circumstances which have left no trace behind them but such as is to be found in the page of the chronicler, or as often more vividly illustrated by the pen of the novelist. Summary of Works that we have received, of which we have no space to make a lengthened notice. Wild Sports in the West.-This is a cheap reprint, in one volume, of an exceedingly amusing and popular work. The embellishments are not very good-not such as we are now accustomed to, even in very cheap works -and the paper is not of the best: but the type is excellent. The Wisdom and Genius of Shakspeare, &c. By the Rev. THOMAS PRICE, Chaplain to her Majesty's Convict Establishment at Woolwich.— We have as great a dislike to "beauties and selections in general” as ever Coleridge had; but the present little pocket volume is compiled with unusual care and judgment, and will be of use even to those most conversant with the works of the greatest of all poets and philosophers. We anticipate for it an extensive sale, which it assuredly deserves. Edwin and Morcar, a Tragedy in Five Acts.—A mistake, but not without talent and high feeling. Deafness, its Causes, Prevention, and Cure, &c. By JOHN STEVENSON, Esq.-This is a cheap and revised edition of the excellent treatise we noticed some time ago, interspersed with additional practical hints, cases, and illustrations, which add greatly to its value. LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. Crombie's Gymnasium, sive Symbola Critica. Sixth edition. 2 vols. 8vo. 21s. Physical Geography. By T. S. Traill, M.D. Crown 8vo. 6s. Rudiments of English Composition. By Alexander Reid. 12mo. 6s. First series. Mahon's History of England. Vol. III. 8vo. 18s. New edition. Royal 12mo. 7s. 6d. 2 vols. 8vo. 24s. By the Rev. Charles James's Book of the Passions. Royal 8vo. plates, 31s. 6d. Powerscourt's Letters. By Rev. R. Daly. Second edition. Fcap. 5s. Conolly's Overland Journey to the North of India. Second edition. 2 vols. 8vo. Tales for my Nieces. By Mrs. Lenient. 18mo. 2s. Mudie's Mental Philosophy. 12mo. 7s. Baylee's Institutions of the Church of England. 12mo. 3s. 6d. Milne's (Richard M.) Poems. 2 vols. 8vo. 14s. Cutch, or Sketches of Western India. By Mrs. Postans. 8vo. 14s. The Edinburgh Scripture Biography. Royal 8vo, 18s. Hugo Read's Catechism of Heat. 18mo. 9d. Whewell's Mechanical Euclid. Third Edition.. 12mo. 5s. 6d. Peter Parley's Universal History. New Edition. Fcap. 7s. 6d. Fragments in Verse. Fcap. 5s. Essays and Selections. By Basil Montagu. Fcap. 5s. Bacon's Advancement of Learning. Edited by B: Montagu. Fcap. 5s. 18mo. 1s. 6d. Wilkinson's Sketches and Music of the Basque Provinces in Spain. Imperial 4to. School Houses. By Horace Mann. Hunter's Livy, Book XXI. to XXV. Fifth edition. 12mo. 4s. The Philosophy of Acquisitiveness. By D. G. Goyder. Second Edition. 2s. 6d. Clavis Gymnasii. By Rev. A. Crombie. Fourth Edition. 8vo. 6s. Transactions of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Vol. II. 4to. 28s. Gorle's Fables from the Ancients and Moderns Versified. 3s. French Extracts for Beginners, with a Vocabulary. By F. A. Wolski. 12mo. 2s. A Sequel to the Essays on Covetousness. 8vo. 1s. The Law relating to the Recovery of Tenements. 8vo. 1s. Bowring's Observations on the Oriental Plague. 8vo. 1s. 6d. Pereira's Materia Medica. Part I. 8vo. 16s. LITERARY NEWS.-WORKS IN PROGRESS. We have great pleasure in stating that Mrs. Jameson's long-expected work, "WINTER STUDIES AND SUMMER RAMBLES IN CANADA," will be in the hands of the public on the 3rd instant. The new work, "TRAVELS IN TOWN," by the Author of "Random Recollections of the Lords and Commons," will also appear in the same week. The Hon. Mrs. Sayers has nearly completed the printing of her new work, "HENRY ACTON, AND OTHER TALES." The first number of the new Quarterly Magazine, entitled "THE ISIS," is to be published on the 1st of January. A lively volume, entitled "WAKING DREAMS," from the pen of a Lady, is in the press, and intended for speedy publication. A poem, entitled "THE GAZELLA," is also nearly ready. Mrs. Gore has nearly ready an entirely new translation of the complete works of Madame de Sévigné, many of which have never yet appeared in English; illustrated by copious notes, biographical and historical, in the manner of Croker's Boswell. The letters will be preceded by an original Essay upon the Life and Manners of Madame de Sévigné and her great contemporaries. Mrs. Gore has availed herself largely of the valuable collections in the Royal Library of Paris. Blackstone's Commentaries, by Coleridge: a new edition, with Notes explanatory of all the Changes in the Law since the last edition; together with a Life of Blackstone, a Preliminary Essay, and a greatly improved Index. By Samuel Warren, F.R.S., Barrister-at-Law. A History of the Fishes of Madeira, by the Rev. R. T. Lowe, with original Figures from Nature of all the Species, by the Hon. C. E. C. Norton and Miss Young. The Cathedral Bell, a Tragedy, in Five Acts. By Jacob Jones, Barrister-at-Law, Author of "The Stepmother;" "Longinus, or the Fall of Palmyra ;" and "Spartacus, or the Roman Gladiators ;" Tragedies in five acts. THE COMMERCIAL RELATIONS OF THE COUNTRY. THE cotton trade at Liverpool continues exceedingly active, and all the letters received from thence describe the market as tending very strongly to a further advance in price. The stock has lately been very considerably reduced in consequence of the prevalence of easterly winds, by which no cargoes have been received for nearly three weeks, and also by the increasing demand for cotton which has been experienced in Manchester, and in consequence of the orders received for the American and general export trade. Trade in general is, we believe, gradually improving. As a proof of the success of railways, we see it stated that since the opening of that between Liverpool and Manchester, (little more than eight years,) five millions of passengers have passed along the line. Out of this immense number only two passengers are said to have lost their lives by accident. |