CRITICAL NOTICES OF THE LITERATURE OF THE LAST THREE MONTHS,

AND OF MATTERS CONNECTED WITH SCIENCE AND ART.

Why should not divers studies, at divers hours, delight, when the variety is alone able to refresh and repair us?"-Ben Jonson's Discoveries.

SIMON WAGSTAFFE, of immortal memory, apologised much in the same manner, for the strange mélange of dishes which he placed before his company, as we are inclined to do for the heterogeneous mass of books which it is our peculiar office and object to introduce to the notice of our readers. "Some," he says, "will perhaps object that, when I bring my company to dinner, I mention too great a variety of dishes, not consistent with the art of cookery, or proper for the season of the year; and part of the first course is mingled with the second; besides a failure in politeness, by introducing a black pudding to a lord's table, and at a great entertainment. But if I had omitted the black pudding, what would have become of that excellent reason given by Miss Notable for not eating it. The world might perhaps have lost it for ever, and I should have been justly answerable. I cannot but hope that such hypercritical readers will please to consider, that my business was to make so full and complete a body of refined sayings as compact as I could; only taking care to produce them in the most natural and probable manner, in order to allure my readers into the very substance and marrow of this most admirable and necessary art."

As it was Simon Wagstaffe's business to make his "work as full and complete" as possible, so is it ours to arrange and notice the current literature of the day, taking as little heed of the vast variety of the subjects, as of the apparent inconsistency of bringing together and noticing under one head so many works of different character, and of degrees of merit and interest. But the fact is, that, like the excellent reason given by Miss Notable for not eating black pudding, many of the works, if we did not notice them, would, it is much to be feared, be in danger of being lost to the world for ever, At no period that we can recollect, in the history of the literature of this country, were there ever so many works published of mere momentary interest, arising out of some peculiar local subject, founded on some grievance or prejudice, or having their origin in some temporary excitement. Doubtless the demand for cheap literature, of some kind or another, has been the moving cause; the supply obeying the laws of social economy, answering the demand. Another, and more gratifying cause, perhaps, is the growing inclination on the part of the masses for intellectual food, or, at any rate, for something which, while affording amusement for a leisure hour, shall increase their stock of knowledge, and render them more at home on the chief subjects which affect their own, and the well-being of the rest of the human race.

Amongst the most valuable, however, and interesting of the historical works of the day, may fairly be ranked “ Farini's Roman State;"* the

"The Roman State from 1815 to 1819." By Luigo Carlo Farini. Vol. IV. Translated under Direction of the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P. for the University of Oxford. By a Lady. Murray.

fourth volume of which, translated by a lady, under the direction and superintendence of Mr. Gladstone, has recently appeared. Independently of the fulness of the book, both as regards matter and style, it is interesting as showing a perfect picture of the mental physiology of an Italian gentleman of education, and of liberal, yet moderate, opinionsone, in fact, as far removed from the Red republicanism of the Ledru Rollin school, as from the ultra Roman Catholicism of the Propaganda. M. Farini, however, strives to demonstrate, that while such a republican form of government as that suggested by Mazzini and his disciples would not, and could not, last a month in Italy, that modifications of it are perhaps possible; and he proceeds to show how a separation of the temporal and spiritual headship of the Romish Church is an essential ingredient in any scheme of liberal government. To a certain extent, however, it must be recollected that Mazzini agrees with this proposition; only in destroying the lay dominion of the pope, the triumvir would banish his holiness from Rome, and elsewhere let him exercise, to the fullest extent of his power, any of the spiritual influence he may claim and chance to possess. Farini, on the contrary, proposes to allow the spiritual claims of the pope and priesthood, even to the absolute direction of the conscience of the laity; to retain both in Rome, but to strip them entirely of all temporal power. The objection to this latter course is, the impossibility of practically limiting the power and influence of the clergy. Those to whom the sole and absolute direction of every conscience in a country is entrusted must necessarily, ere long, claim and exert a sway, unacknowledged perhaps, it is true, but nevertheless felt, over the whole body politic; and thus to every calm reasoner on the lessons taught by history and experience Farini's plan would seem the least attainable of the two. One interesting feature of the work, is an account of the game played by English politicians with respect to, and during the time of, the struggle for liberty in Italy; and most vivid and brilliant are the descriptions of those episodes of that short history which redound so much to the honour of the Roman name.

From the pen of Emeric Izabad we have the history of another country which has lately distinguished itself by its patriotic endeavours to throw off the intolerable burden of a despotic and irresponsible yoke, and to establish a claim to rank among the independent nations of this hemisphere. Hungary, Past and Present," is an able work; although, as might have been expected from the antecedents of its writer, the late secretary of the Hungarian National Government, somewhat tinged with the feelings of the partisan. The first portion is dedicated to a clear and succinct review of the history of Hungary, from the time when the Mongul Tartars crossed the Caucasus and the Carpathian Mountains, in search of lands to people and victories to be won, to the time of the recent struggle in 1848. The latter portion of the work, although equally well written and as carefully compiled, is nevertheless too strongly imbued with the opinions of the author to be implicitly relied on. On the whole, however, we can heartily recommend it to the notice of the public, as offering matter for contemporaneous reading with the edition of Ranke's Servia, which we noticed in our last number.

By

*"Hungary, Past and Present; embracing its History from the Magyar Conquest to the Present Time. With a Sketch of Hungarian Literature." Emeric Izabad, late Secretary under the Hungarian National Government of 1849. Blacks, Edinburgh.

Fancourt's "History of Yucatan " is a work of considerable ability, and of interest to those who feel any curiosity on the subject of the original settlement and growth of our stations on the mainland of the Gulf of Mexico. It describes the discoveries of Columbus and his lieutenants, the colonization of the country by the Spaniards, their endless wars with the Indians, the exertions of their missionaries, and the peculiarities of the government of these their distant dependencies. The present volume is brought down to the close of the seventeenth century, and is complete in itself. We are told, however, that the author means to continue it up to the present time, should he receive the necessary encouragement. Sincerely, we trust he may; as, joined to considerable facilities for the task, he combines extensive capabilities for research, with much painstaking and patient industry.

The first volume of Lamartine's "History of the Constituent Assembly (1789)" appeared at the close of the last year, too late to allow us to notice it in our last number. From whatever cause, it is decidedly inferior to many of the other works of this writer, lacking originality, and distinguished by a melodramatic air beneath the dignity of history, and out of keeping with the fearful records of a time which, we trust, will always stand in the memory of man as a dark page in the history of humanity and civilization.

The second volume of Mr. Alison's "History of Europe, from the Fall of Napoleon in 1815, to the Accession of Louis Napoleon in 1852," more than fulfils the auguries which we had ventured to make on this work, on the appearance of the first volume. In interest it is superior, on account, perhaps, of the now pending questions with reference to Russia, to a description of which country a great portion of the volume is dedicated. The following extract presents a striking picture of national life, if, indeed, it can properly be called otherwise than a living death, under a pure despotism:

"It is not merely that the Czar is despotic, that his will constitutes law, and that he is the master, without control, of the lives, liberties, and fortunes of all his subjects—the same system is continued, as is always the case in such circumstances-through every inferior grade in society. What the emperor is in his council or his palace, every inferior prefect or governor is within the limits of his territory, over his vast dominions. Despotism is the general system, force the constant weapon of authority, fear the universal basis of government.

"Clarke, the celebrated English traveller, says that there is not a second in Russia, during day or night, that a blow is not descending on the back or shoulders of some Russian peasant; corporal chastisement of their slaves is permitted to masters, without any authority but their own; and, except in the classes in the Tchinu, who are exempt from that penalty, it is the greatest engine of authority with all who are invested with judicial power. The punishment of death is abolished by law in all cases except high treason; but such is the severity of the corporal inflictions authorized, that it would be a mercy if it were restored. When a man receives the sentence of above a hundred strokes with the knout, the executioner understands what is meant; by striking at a vital place, he in mercy despatches him at a third or fourth. The police officers lay hold of disorderly

* "The History of Yucatan, from its Discovery to the close of the Seventeenth Century." By Charles St. John Fancourt, Esq., recently H. M. Superintendent of the British Settlements in the Bay of Honduras. With a Map. Murray.

"History of the Constituent Assembly (1789)." By Alphonse de Lamartine, Author of "The History of the Restoration of Monarchy in France." Vol. I. Vizetelly and Co.

persons, or malefactors, in the streets, and beat them, without the formality of a trial, in the severest manner, without their cries exciting any attention amongst those who witness it; who, glad that the tempest has not fallen on their shoulders, quietly pass by without observation or surprise."

This extract will give our readers some idea of the blessings of the Czar's rule, and perhaps suggest to them that the yoke of the infidel, however galling on the conscience, is of far lighter burden than that of the champion of the Orthodox Church of Christ. Well, indeed, may the question be asked, "What is this Christianity of the Russians?" And emphatically true is the answer, "Man-worship, the religion of despotism!" The French traveller Custine thus describes the country :

"Russia is a book, the table of whose contents is magnificent; but beware of going further. If you turn over the leaves, you will find no performance answering to the promise; all the chapters are headed, but all have to be filled up. How many of the Russian forests are only marshes, where you will never cut a faggot! How many distant regiments are there without men; and cities and roads which exist only in project! The nation itself is as yet nothing more than a puff placarded upon Europe, dupe of a diplomatic fiction. I have found here no real life, except that of the emperor's; no constitution, except that of the court.”

Memoirs of individuals, whose lives and actions serve to make up the sum total of political history, furnish a fit and proper connecting link between the historical and the biographical; and of the latter style, Lord Holland's "Memoirs of the Whig Party"* during his time deserve honourable mention. They are not only amusing reading, as furnishing a picture of parliamentary and official life during times of unusual public interest, but they are also attractive as the literary production of a man who, while a sincere partisan, never shrank from the honest and candid avowal of his opinions, who, through a long and honourable life, won for himself the good opinion of men of all parties, and whose sweet temper and good heart made of him a kind friend and an indulgent opponent. The chief interest to be attached to these memoirs consists in the admirable sketches they furnish of the great political celebrities of the day. Besides many a pleasant gossip about Carlton House and the king, and the throes and agonies of ministries, in esse and in posse, we are introduced now and then to the fireside and social conversation of such men as Pitt, Burke, and Sheridan; we laugh at the bigotry of Erskine, applaud the ever dauntless and generous demeanour of Lord Howick, sympathize with the slights offered to Nelson by the court, pity the littleness of the king, and finish by congratulating ourselves that we are not called upon to exist under a régime so full of mischief, and so wholly devoid of political morality.

Yet we must not too hastily assume the credit of having in our own generation formed a class of statesmen wholly without fault. The very next biographical sketch on our list introduces us to one whose indisputable talents only force into stronger relief his political errors. Benjamin Disraeli, as often abused as admired, and even more feared than loved, has found a biographer who, lenient to a fault, has yet failed to hide the chief blemishes in the character of a man whose elevation is as much the consequence of the weakness of his party, as the result of any particular merit due to himself. While, however, no man's rise has, perhaps, ever

"Memoirs of the Whig Party during my Time." By Henry Richard Lord Holland. Edited by his Son, Henry Edward Lord Holland. Vol. II. Longman and Co.

"The Right Hon. Benjamin Disraeli, M.P.; a Literary and Political Biography. Addressed to the New Generation." Bentley.

been more decided and complete, it may safely be said no man's career has ever been more decried. Politicians and litterateurs have made common cause. The former, in actual and real life, have never lost an opportunity to abuse him; and the latter have seldom, if ever, found a single word to say in his praise. We decline, therefore, to join in the general crusade against the late Chancellor of the Exchequer; and while recommending his biography as well worthy of perusal, we warn our readers not to allow their minds to be prejudiced by the reviews which the great leviathan of the press, the Times, and our caustic contemporary the Spectator, put forth, with objects having as little to do with the literary excellence of the work, as they certainly evinced a very decided political object.

Of a more humble character are the memoirs of the Rev. J. Crabb* and John Roby; † the former a preacher of the old Wesley and Whitfield school,- -a man whose great powers of endurance enabled him to perform a vast amount of good amongst that class who mostly need the advice and assistance of such a man as Crabb. At Southampton especially, where he founded several schools, and established a kind of female penitentiary, his name will be long and deservedly remembered. Although belonging to no particular Church, to him was, as it were, tacitly entrusted the task of preparing the fold; for no sooner had Crabb collected around him, with infinite trouble, a vagrant congregation, than a shepherd was appointed, and Crabb moved off to begin his labours elsewhere.

John Roby, the author of " Traditions of Lancashire," and one or two other works, was a banker of Rochdale, whose amiable character and many social accomplishments endeared him to the circle of which he was the oracle. His widow, in publishing his remains, has done a kindly office to the locality and her many friends; for if her husband had not attained any very high position either in literature or the arts (for he was a pleasing painter as well as a writer), he is, at least, entitled to the grateful recollection of those to whom his many excellent qualities worthily endeared

him.

In the miscellaneous department of literature are several works of note and merit. The earliest in point of date is Professor Maurice's "Philo. sophy of the First Six Centuries," re-written from an early work published in the Encyclopædia Metropolitana. It is thus described by an able reviewer :

"On the one hand, the expositor deals with heathen philosophers, from Seneca and Epictetus, in the apostolic times, till Boethius arose to connect the middle age and classical world, and Justinian, in the sixth century, closed the schools of Athens upon the mystic seven; and, on the other hand, with the most eminent fathers, from Ignatius to Gregory the First. He is, therefore, continually ecountering heathen opinions, which the mass of us not only look upon as false but dead, or doctrines which Protestants consider as idle or superstitious; yet Mr. Maurice continually penetrates below the surface to revive the life which the opinions possessed at the time, to rescue from contempt or indifference the truth which they contained, and to show (with less continuous success, perhaps) the bearing they had upon the philosophy of the middle ages, and upon modern

* "Memoir of the Rev. James Crabb, late of Southampton." By John Rudall, of Lincoln's-Inn, Barrister-at-Law. Walton and Maberley.

+"The Legendary and Poetical Remains of John Roby, Author of 'Traditions of Lancashire;' with a Sketch of his Life and Character." By his Widow. Longman and Co.

"Philosophy of the First Six Centuries." By the Rev. Frederick Maurice, Chaplain to Lincoln's Inn; (late) Professor of Ecclesiastical History, King's College, London. Second edition, revised. Griffin and Co.