largest kind, and the most elaborate structure, in every department of learning, abound among us; Cyclopedias without measure, compilations without number, besides original treatises, which equally show the industry, talent, and acquirements of authors in all ranks of society, and of every gradation of intellect. Nor are there wanting works of history, voyages and travels, divinity, law, and physic, of sterling value, and worthy of the British nation, which in arts and arms is second to none in the world. The majority of these publications exhibit the same characteristic features as the more fashionable and fugitive ones previously delineated; namely, strong excitement in profession, ambitious display in execution, and excessive gratification in the entertainment which they provide. The books of every era must resemble those who wrote, and those who read them. Great expectation must be met with proportionate effect; and, (unreasonable as it may appear, and as it is,) if the effect be not beyond both, a degree of disappointment is experienced on the one hand, and a measure of failure on the other.

Such, according to the best judgment of the writer of these imperfect remarks, is the present state of literature in this country, especially of popular literature, including poetry, the drama, works of imagination, and the periodical press. Of its future progress or decline it is unnecessary to offer any conjecture. It does, however, seem to have approached a crisis, when some considerable change

for the better or the worse may be anticipated; when literature in England will return to the love of nature and simplicity, or degenerate into bombast and frivolity.

BRITISH

MUSEUM

THE END.

LONDON:

Printed by A. & R. Spottiswoode,
New-Street-Square.

395

VALUABLE STANDARD WORKS,

PRINTED FOR

LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, & LONGMAN.

THE PELICAN ISLAND, in nine Cantos; and other Poems. By J. MONTGOMERY. Third edition, in foolscap 8vo. price 8s. bds.

By the same Author,

THE WANDERER of SWITZERLAND.

Tenth edit. 6s.

SONGS of ZION, being IMITATIONS of PSALMS. Third edit. foolscap 8vo.

Price 5s.

Eighth edit. 9s.

THE WORLD BEFORE THE FLOOD.
THE WEST INDIES, and other POEMS. Seventh edit. 6s.
GREENLAND, and other POEMS. Third edit. 8s. bds. Also
VERSES to the MEMORY of R. REYNOLDS. Price 2s.

LALLA ROOKH. An Oriental Romance. By T. MOORE, Esq.
New edit. with four Engravings, from Paintings by R. WESTALL, R. A.
Foolscap 8vo. 14s. bds. Another edition in 8vo. 14s.; Westall's
Illustrations, 8vo. 12s.

By the same Author,

THE LOVES of the ANGELS. Fifth edition. 8vo. 9s. bds. WESTALL'S Illustrations of the same, 5s.

THE EPICUREAN. A Tale. Foolscap 8vo.
9s. bds.

RODERICK, the LAST of the GOTHS.
ROBERT SOUTHEY, LL.D. &c. Two vols. 16s.

By the same Author,

Fifth edition.

A Poem. By

THALABA, 2 vols. 16s.; Madoc, 2 vols. 16s.; Curse of Kehama, 2 vols. 14s.; Minor Poems, 3 vols. 18s.; Pilgrimage to Waterloo, 10s. 6d. ; Tale of Paraguay, 10s. 6d. ; Carmen Triumphale; and Carmen Aulica, for 1814, 5s.

POETICAL WORKS of W. WORDSWORTH, Esq. New edition, complete in 4 vols. foolscap 8vo. including the contents of the former edition in 5 vols., and some additional Pieces. 24s. bds.

THE EXCURSION may be had separately. 7s. bds.

REMAINS of HENRY KIRKE WHITE, selected, with prefatory Remarks, by ROBERT SOUTHEY, Esq. The only complete editions. In 2 vols. 8vo. price 17. 4s. ; and in 1 vol. 24mo. with engraved Title and Vignettes, price 5s. bds.

N. B. The property of the Family having been invaded, it is necessary to state that these are the only editions which contain the Life by Mr. Southey, and the whole of the Third Volume.

PSYCHE; or the Legend of Love; and other Poems. By the late Mrs. HENRY TIGHE. In 8vo. 12s. bds.; Fifth edit. with a portrait of the Author.

FAMILY SHAKSPEARE; in which nothing is added to the Original Text; but those Words and Expressions are omitted, which cannot with propriety be read aloud in a Family. By T. BOWDLER, Esq. F.R.S. New edition. In 1 large vol. 8vo. with 36 Illustra tions after Smirke, Howard, &c. 30s. in cloth; or, with gilt edges,

31s. 6d.

The same work, without Illustrations, in 10 vols. royal 18mo. 31. 3s. bds. ; and in 8 vols. 8vo. 41. 14s. 6d.

By the same Editor,

GIBBON'S ROMAN EMPIRE; for the Use of Families and Young Persons. With the careful Omission of all Passages of an Irreligious or Immoral Tendency. In 5 vols. 8vo. 31. 3s. bds.

By

PEN TAMAR; or the HISTORY of an OLD MAID. the late Mrs. H. M. BOWDLER. Post 8vo, Second edit. 10s. 6d. bds. SELECT WORKS of the BRITISH POETS, from CHAUCER to JONSON. By ROBERT SOUTHEY, LL.D. 8vo., uniform with "Aikin's Poets." 30s. in cloth; or, with gilt edges, 31s. 6d.

SELECT WORKS of the BRITISH POETS, with Biographical and Critical Prefaces. By DR. AIKIN. 10 vols. post 18mo. 21.; royal 18mo., to match the British Essayists and Novelists, 37.; and complete, in 1 vol. 8vo., for Schools, &c. 18s. in cloth; or, with gilt edges, 20s.

THE VENETIAN BRACELET; the LOST PLEIAD; a HISTORY of the LYRE; and other Poems. By L. E. L. Foolscap 8vo. with a Frontispiece, 10s. 6d. bds.

"It is impossible to read a page in the volume before us, that does not bear the stamp of originality, and of high poetical talents.”. Gent. Mag.

By the same Author,

THE GOLDEN VIOLET, and other Poems. Foolscap 8vo. 10s. 6d. bds.

THE TROUBADOUR. Fourth edit. Foolscap 8vo. 10s. 6d. bè. THE IMPROVISATRICE. Sixth edition. Foolscap 8vo. 10s. 6d. bds.

POETICAL WORKS of L.E.L. including the Venetian Bracelet, the Lost Pleiad, a History of the Lyre, the Improvisatrice, Troubadour, Golden Violet, and Miscellaneous Poems. With uniform Titles and Vignettes. 4 vols. foolscap 8vo. 21. 2s. extra bds.