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butions to polite literatine, and "to the harmless gaiety of nations ?" Do our readers know the powers of the Chameleon,-that of changing its hue at pleasure, (yet there are good reasons for this too,) and of assimilating its colour to suit any particular object and situa tion? Last year, for instance, the Chameleon came forth rich and stately in deep blue and gold. In this it appears in the forest livery, the costume of Titania's court, gold and green. The power of varying its contents is equally remarkable;-prose and verse, gaieties and gravities, puns, and apophthegms, and effusions in that mixed mood which blends smiles with tears, and in which the author is so successful. The diversity of subjects is not more remarkable than the diversity of style. Instead of pictorial embellishment, Mr Atkinson has pressed the Muse of music into his service. Several songs, the music composed by Clarke, the words by the Author and Editor, and very neatly executed in the engraving, adorn the volume; which, reserving its literary merits, which are wonderful, for after and ampler consideration, we recom mend as a most appropriate holyday gift, 66 sweets to the sweet,' and suitable ornament of a drawing-room table. In beauty of typography, size, and getting up altogether, it certainly surpasses many of the Annuals of the year.

THE SUPREME IMPORTANCE OF A RIGHT MORAL TO A RIGHT ECONOMICAL STATE OF THE COMMUNITY. BY DR. CHALMERS.

This pamphlet is a supplement which Dr. Chalmers has made to his late work, "On Morals in connexion with Political Economy." Its principal object is to reply to the Strictures on that work in the last Edinburgh Review The Dr. retains all his early opinions; but the Review has modified, and, in some important points, changed its ideas since the period when they coincided entirely with his. On the points in dispute, we cannot enter here; but we give the Dr. entire praise for one particular of his reply, his triumphant exposure of the fallacy of those statements in the Review, which we saw, with some surprise, copied into all the newspapers, setting forth, and exulting over the happy, and the immensely improved condition of the poor in this country. It suited the reviewer to draw such pictures of the social beatitudes of the labouring poor of Scotland; but Dr. Chalmers knows better, and we thank him for giving truths which should be told the sanction of his name.

The reviewer has chosen to look only at the bright points of the picture. Dr. Chalmers has considered its shadows and its blots, as well as its light and brilliancy.

LETTER OF DR. KAY ON THE STATE OF THE MANUFACTURING POOR OF MANCHESTER. Second Edition.-Dr. Kay's pamphlet, we are glad to find so early in a second edition. It contains fearful pictures of evils that must speedily work a change on the face of our society, either for weal or His expositions and warnings are timely and earnest, and may contribute to the workings of a happy change. We recommend them to yet wider attention than

Wo.

NO. XI. VOL. II.

they have gained; nor can the friends of humanity, and of the best interests of Great Britain, perform a better preliminary service than making the contents of this letter generally known.

THE ELGIN ANNUAL, Edited by Mr Grant of the Elgin Courier.-This is another of those wonderful attempts which characterize our forward age. The literary part is mostly by the Editor; and very creditable to his judgment, taste, and fancy, it is. The drawings are also by the same hand. Of these, Findhorn Suspension Bridge, and Craigellachie are truly beautiful. The other subjects are only recommended by local propriety. Several of our Scottish literati have contributed to this volume, of which the Province of Moray may well be proud.

STATEMENTS RELATIVE TO THE CITY OF EDINBURGH, &c.*The sum and substance of this pamphlet is, that the inhabitants of Edinburgh, for the great tion which our fathers founded with their love they bear to that "beautiful institushould consent not only to continue the blood," viz. the Established Church, present Annuity Tax, and all the other objectionable revenues of the Clergy, but to pay an additional sum of L.6,500 annually, and to build fifteen new churches!!! We have heard of castle-building, but our church-building author seems quite as aerial as the most imaginative of these visionary architects.

HOOD'S COMIC ANNUAL.-The humour, wit, and fancy of Mr. Hood are more alive than ever. "Time cannot wither him; nor custom stale his infinite variety." The letter from a London Serving Maid, exported by Government on a matrimonial speculation to Van Dieter, and twenty other pieces, are in his men's Land, The Shilling, The Fox-hunfirst style; while something about the verses on Niagara makes us regret that the author of the poem of Eugene Aram were not editor of a serious as well as of a comic annual. Why are the singlehanded annuals always so much better than the joint stock ones, even when the editors are far inferior in talent to Hood? We cannot tell; but the fact is established:-and of all co-operative systems, the literary annual is the least successful.

PERIODICALS.

FOR Some months past, a monthly work
has appeared in London, entitled Polo-
nai, published in London, by an associa-
tion of the friends of Poland. We no-

tice the work more from esteem of its ob-
ject than any hope which we indulge of
The whole press of Britain

its success.

Edinburgh: W. Tait.
Tilt, London.

27

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was open to the cause of the Poles; and whoever may have neglected, if not betrayed Poland, the journalists and the people are not of the number. The literary friends of that unfortunate country would, therefore, have been in our idea, more beneficially employed, had their agency quickened and acted upon the whole press, than in establishing an organ, which, from high price and insulation, must have comparatively little effect. IRISH PERIODICALS.-Two have start. ed with the year: the Dublin University Review and the Dublin University Magazine. The former may probably be a ramification of the grand Tory scheme of getting the press, too long neglected by Tories, into Tory hands, or under Tory influence. The Tory organs have of late been filled with exhortations on this subject, and the University Magazine is among the first-fruits.

* We understand, and are not sorry to hear, that the current rumour of Mr James being the author of Otterbourne, is incorrect; and are almost glad we fell into the belief generally propagated, for we know not what reason, since it gives us an opportunity of a direct contradiction, which must set thou: auds to right.

NEW PUBLICATIONS. Coney's Cathedrals and Public Buildings of the Continent, 107. 10s. Batty's Views of European Cities, 47. Landseer's Sketches of Animals in the Zoo.

logical Gardens, 37. 13s. 6d.

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Gd.

Hooper's Physician's Vade Mecum, 78. 6d. Cyclopædia of Practical Medicine, Vol. V, royal 8vo. 11. 158. Gospel Stories, 18mo, 3s. 6d. Garry Owen, &c. 18mo, 2s. 6d. History of the late War, 18mo, 2s. 6d. Derry, a Tale of the Revolution, 68. The Portfolio, 5s. 6d. Architectural Beauties of Continental Europe, No. 2. 18s. Edgeworth's Novels, Vol. IX. 58. Burnett's Lives, Characters, &c. 10s. 6d. Penn's Life of Admiral Sir William Penn, 2 vols. 8vo, 17. 168.

Coventry's Character of a Trimmer, 8vo.

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Ghost Hunter and his Family, 6s.
Twenty-four years in the Rifle Brigade
10s. 6d.

Calvin, and the Swiss Reformation, by the
Rev. F. Scott, 6s.

Scenes in North Wales, with 36 Engrav.
ings, 4s. 6d.

Annual Biography and Obituary, 1832,

158.

Turner's Views of England and Wales, Causes of the French Revolution, 7s. 6d.

Vol. I.

Auldjo's Sketches of Vesuvius, 8vo, 98.
Williams' Vegetable World, 18mo, 4s. 6d. Georgian Era, Vol. 11. 10s. 6d.
The Invisible Gentleman, 3 vols. 31s. 6d. My Village versus Our Village, 18mo, 8s.

American Almanack, 1833, 5s.

Rev. T. Sinclair's Vindication of the
Church, 8vo, 10s. 6d.
Rev. H. Stebbing's Sermons, 12mo, 6s.
Bainford's Scripture Dictionary, 12mo. Recollections of a Chaperon, by Lady

Chronological Chart of Kings of England,
10s.

2s. 6d.

Dacre, 3 vols. 17. 11s. 6d.

Waverley Album, containing 51 Engrav. Kidd's Companion to the Watering Places,

ings, 8vo, 21s.

18mo, 12s. 6d.

The Life of a Sailor, by a Captain in the Domestic Portraiture,-The Richmond

Navy, 3 vols. post 8vo, 31s. 6d. The Catechism of Whist, 1s. 6d.

Family, 8vo, 10s. 6d.

Fergusson's Tour in Canada, 18mo, 6s.

Passion and Reason, or Quintillian Bro- Stuart's Three Years in America, 2 vols.

thers, 4 vols. 30s.

Motherwell's Poems, 12mo, 6s.
Hood's Comic Annual for 1833, 12s.
Figure of Fun, 2 parts, 1s. 6d.
Hall's Art of Divine Meditation,

1s.

32mo,

Halyburton's Works, 8vo. 15s. Mantell's Floriculture, royal 8vo, 5s.

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Brindley's Civil Architecture, 12mo, 58.
Republic of Letters, Vol. IV. 6s. 6d.

Supplement to the Cambridge Mathema- English School of Painting, Vol. IV.

tical Examination Papers, Part I. 68. 6d.

8vo,

18s.

Mornings with Mamma, 2d series, 4s. 6d.

Rev. C. Smith's Letters on Maternal Re- Hopkins' Notions of Political Economy.

ligion, 8vo, 78. 6d.

By Mrs. Marcet, 4s. 6d.

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an exceeding great yearning for the ad vent of that glorious day, when all the nations of the earth, and all the tribes of man, shall be made civilized and happy, and fittel to enjoy the blessings which that divine gift (to be had for the seeking) will impart, are we to be twitted as politicians, or libellep as thick and thin partisans? Partisans we are, to a degree, we confess it; but only for a while, and only of those by whose instramentality we in our conscience think it will be most speedily, thoroughly, and for ever secured. No! It is philanthropy, not polities which urges our pen. We feel for the foolish, and compassionate their condition; and inasmuch as that we are habitually accustomed to see further into millstones than a stupid and ungrateful public, so, and therefore only, do we sometimes dirty our fingers in the mud of politics, that we may instruct, and guide, and improve, and shew them their incorrigible blockheadism in all its deformity, and teach them the ways that lead to rational happiness; howb. it the task is, per se, sore, painful, and disgustingly difficult of achievement. Oh! could the Taitites of this benighted land behold with what eyebeaming delight we rush to our table strewed with the beautiful accumulations of lite: ature and the fine arts-the soul-absorbing interest with which we sit ourselves down thereto-the sun shining gladness which steals glowingly first, and then brightens fervidly in our bosoms-could hear our laugh (half crow, half chuckle) of intense pleasure, as, flinging into oblivion the memory of that dreary Jading journey into the wilderness of politics just accomplished, we now prepire, gloatingly, to peruse, and to contemplate, and to revel in the goodly heap of treasure on which the eye reposcs-nothing human would libel us with the bare supposition that we tolerated politics.

Ir there be one thing we hate more than another, it is politics; and that antipathy, it will readily be admitted, is abundantly manifested in all our numbers. Where circumstances have occurred, we have felt compelled, it is true, to discuss the topics which the events of stirring, if not troublous times, have raised; but it has been with a loathing which few can appreciate, save those whom the stern dictate of duty has goaded into actions contrary to their disposition. We know that the Magazines of Tait and Ebony are considered by many as periodicals especially political; than this, however, nothing can be sillier or further distanced from truth. The able articles, ostens bly on such matters, which now and then appear in the latter, are by shallow-pated Tories, deemed the very alpha and omega of all that is excellent and powerful in the furtherance of their great felonious cause; the blockheads! they cannot see, what to every body else is plain as a pike staff, that they are the effusions of a decently educated brain exercising its powers on simple theses of logic; as clever illustrations, merely, of the noble and sublime art of exposing or of perverting truth, as caprice or winking cajolery happens to determine. None better knows than the writers that their object is the most untoriable in the world. The drolls are radicals to the back. bone-actual ultras; radicals in principle, radicals in hope, and radicals in all the relations of political existence. Did the slavering Conservative clique possess the brains of a reflecting donkey, it would have perceived-the propositions stripped of the balderdash and tinsel of language-how cleverly the clear heads of these laughing banterers were, for its especial bamboozlement, arguing backwards; it would have seen how beautifully they were demonstrating the existence of a mare's nest, and straining their sharp wits to substantiate the veriest shadow of a shade that ever flitted before a muddled cerebrum. So, also, do many-we know it -suppose that we are desperate Whigs, either, or ultra radicals, inveterate politicians at the least-the most palpable possible of all absurdities! The dull of perception may, and do imagine, that the spirited and apparently political papers which continually appear in our pages are concocted out of sheer love of such thankless subjects: -bah we repeat that politics we enthusiastically hate. True, we desire the reign of universal liberty; chaste, sober, holy liberty: but because our bowels yearn with

Indeed, shrewd as we are, and penetrating as is our philosophy, we are altogether un able to account how any man living, not mad, can, from love or choice, be a politician. We do not deny the fact of such an enor mity; we only cannot account for its existence. Well do we remember a train of excellent reasoning that passed through our minds some fifteen or eighteen moons back, which, though it would take several pages to narrate even in outline, we will merely recur to as exemplifying how easily and how disastrously the theoretical convictions of the most brilliant minded may be upset by vulgar fact.

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not for us to fix the climacteric) we are half disposed to condole in very sincerity of sorrow. The eyes of ungenerous man have of late become so familiarized with all that is perfect in loveliness, that no woman whose charms fail to realize the vivid beauty which every month profusely scatters about, in one or other of its varieties, and in such stirring representations, can scarcely hope in these days to captivate his fancy, or fix his wandering eye. What fastidious roysterer, be he of green nonage, or of green old age, now thinks of flirtation or incipient wedlock; meeting as he must daily meet with, damsels under ordinary circumstances, when for a round half crown his eye may luxuriate; monthly on whatever is possible in female beauty, without a thought to vex him of rashness, railing, fault, food, or fecundity. Ladies! we feel for you, because ye cannot chocse but be sad; and can well pardon the execrations which you pour with a libe al and a hearty spirit upon the head of the unhappy Findens. Yet, let us counsel ye to be calm and listen to the language of reason rather than of wrath: They deserve not your anger, dear ones, believe us! Answer us now; are they not contributing to render more admirable your semi-celestial sex, by exhibiting to the gazing admiration of a chaste, enchanting, specimens of it? And stricken, dumb foundered world, such choice, ought ye not to greet their labour with smiles and sparkling eyes, not frowns and

We were seated on a soft and pleasant tuft of earth in the mid-height of majestic Skiddaw, surveying the imposing grandeur of the surrounding scenery; the variform and many-tinted hills; the sparkling foliage of the trees; the blue impenetrable sky, the gorgeous clouds that slowly wandered there; and the beautiful mockery of all their pictured imagery in the bright and quiet Derwentwater beneath; and we reposed our wearied spirit in the sublime and universal silence of the spot. We thought of things mortal and immortal; of reaction, the wide earth, its magnificent mountains, its peaceful plains, its immeasurable waters; this glorious world, still fresh as from God's own hand it sprung- and then of puny man, by whom its fair surface is blemished. We thought of his wars and his struggles, his stormy passions, his busy bunglings, his deadly strifes, his hopes, ambitions, thoughts, writings, ravings; and wished that his race could, one by one, walk through this valley and on those hills, and contemplate the living splendours of nature as they shone around. We wished he were there to survey, to admire, to think "in and in," and be hushed at once into awe or nothingness by the sublimity of the scene upon which we were moralizing in eloquence supernatural. Alas! our eye fell in its rovings habitation within the distance of one little on a living mortal hop-step and-a-jump, and upon the instant this fine-spun superstructure of thought vanished into thin air; for there dwelt our anger-chattering, think ye? Turn, we begifted and misguided Laurcate, SOUTHEY, seech you, to this first part of the Gallery who, for aught we could say to the contrary, and gaze upon that angelic creature, that

was at that very hour, and in the bosom of this soul-subduing solitude, up to his chin in politics and poetry, quod libels and the Quarterly tossing his polished mind on the turbulent sea of party, paltry, pitiful politics; and in the centre of all that was serene and holy, meditating upon those things, possibly, which might stir into agitation the angry wrath of swarming multitudes. Thus were we staggered into the assurance, that politicians do exist; yet still to this hour we deem it a marvel.

pure and holy innocent, whose "soft and
serious eyes," piercing illimitable space, are
fixed on visions of another world,-

"How beautiful she looks!-as flowers
When newly touched with heaven's dew,
Upon her soul the sacred showers
Of truth have fallen anew !"

There she stands,

"quiet as a NunBreathless with adoration!"

Marvellously lovely she is indeed; but is it one of which speich Turn we, however, to the performance of not the loveliness of earth clothed in the ing the eye and delighting the mind, with the beautiful in art, and proclaiming, with a the soul and transfixes the admiration, which willing and far reaching voice, merit where woman's face express? none but a woman can feel, and none but a

merit is due.

FINDEN'S GALLERY OF GRACFS.*-HOW excellent a thing is competition! It may be likened to charity, which blesseth every body,

Turn, again, to Plate 3, and dwell for awhile upon that nameless

"thing to bless, All full of light and loveliness!" Hearken to Mr. Hervey, and, with will

[see Shakspeare,] and to the sweet south, ing and pleased minds, do his bidding!

which stealeth over beds of roses, giving
and taking odour [see same.] "Finden's
Gallery of the Graces!" What an elegant
alliteration! Heath's Book of Beauty was
happy as a title, but the Gallery of the
Graces-Finden's Gallery!-beats the other
all to nothing.

"Look into her laughing eyes,
As bright and blue as summer skies!"

"Gaze upon her rose-red lips;
How beautiful amid their dew!
As never o'er their bloom had passed
The breath of one adieu."
Once more, go forward to Plate 3, and

the very apex of our heart, and with every resting her sweet and placid cheek upon her We could almost pity womankind from feast your eyes upon that melancholy girl female from fifteen to five-and-ty, (it is hand. How mild and guileless is the ex

Charles Tilt.

pression of her fair countenance! How serene her brow! What a little world of

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years;

Or sinks along her heart-like dew-in showers, That draw forth sweetness while they fill with tears."

Now, ladies, pause a little! Do not your bosoms thrill at the thought of having community of sex with creatures so delectable as are these ecstatic originals, (for they are all actually living, or have lived: Oh! that they should ever fade or die!) Does the gleam of gratitude steal into your hearts towards the Findens for thus perpetuating such samples of you? Ought you not, lovely but silly creatures as ye are, to thank your stars and Mr. Tilt, that this just and honourable tribute to female excellence has commenced? Encourage it as you love us. To the lords of the creation we have soberer words to speak.

in

The professed object of the present work is to give a practical demonstration "that female lovelines,-in all the forms in which poets have dreamt, or painters embodied it-lies scattered about the thoroughfares and lonely places of society." Each of the sketches is to be made from living originals, with reference to some familiar passages the works of some distinguished writer; and will "present, in real forms, an illustra tion of the sentiment which such passage conveys." Here, indeed, is a wide field for labour in its most attractive garb; and if this work only continue as it has commenced, it may become one of the most popular of the day. There are three portraits in this first number, (two by Mr. Boxall, the third by Mr. Wright, who have both executed their part of the task most skilfully) each accompanied by a page or two of rming poetry by Mr. T. K. Hervey, unse guidance the Gallery is to be filled. The beauty of the present number is its most eloquent recommendation.

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PORTRAITS OF THe Principal FemALE CHARACTERS IN THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. PART 3.*—It is from no unkindly feelings to the publishers that we express our pleasure at the appearance of the abovenamed work of Finden's Gallery, because we are sure that such a competitor will spur them on to increased exertions in the succeeding numbers of the Waverley Fortraits. Where a spirited rivalry exists there is little chance of degeneracy in either. The present, Part 3, contains those of Lucy Bertram, Effie and Jeanie Deans, and Miss Wardour. To the latter we made allusion in our last. The beauty of Miss Bertram is marred, we think, by the costume and the attitude in which she is drawn; and Effie would look prettier as a living body. Jeannie Deans is decidedly the best of this month's batch; and Mr Leslie is entitled to praise in overcoming the difficulty of giving

Chapman and Hall,

the expression of intense passion to a face which, from its round, chubby, pretty, homely features, (true to the text) would be much better adapted for the indication of good humour and undisturbed serenity. The conception and arrangement of the attire we much like.

LANDSCAPE ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE WAboth good. There are several very pleasVERLEY NOVELS -Nos. 10. & 11.-*Good; ing views in them, among which we particularly like those of the Castle of Ashby, Cattermorle; York Minster, Nash; Jorvaulx Abbey, De Wint; and the Old Bridge of Tweed, Westall. The scenery chasers ought to bear in mind that this in the two latter is very romantic; but purwork is designed less for the publication of pretty pictures than for a faithful representation of the actual scenes commemorated by our great northern novelist. and Lucy Bertram," are prefixed. "The Lily of St. Leonards," (Effie Deans,)

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THE PROCESSION OF THE FLITCH OF BACON. This is one of those beautiful landmarks,' by which we are from time to time enabled to note the progress of the art of engraving in the English School. With the original picture by the classic Stothard the 'initiated' are of course well acquainted; and we hail with pleasure this splendid engrav ing, by means of which its beauties, thus multiplied, will be made manifest to thousands who have not yet beheld the delightful composition of this veteran's chaste pencil. The subject is designed after the plan of the "Pilgrimage to Canterbury," but is less crowded in the grouping, and the arrangeThe murkiness of the sky, and the harsh, ment of the characters more simply devised. unpicturesque back-ground which characterised its great predecessor, are absent here, and the whole composition is lighter in every respect. But an air of mannerism is conspicuously visible, which the other did not possess: this, perhaps, is ascribable to the advanced age of the venerable Stothard We gaze upon it with a melancholy interest, not for itself in truth, but from the conviction that this, most probably, is the last(withering words)-the last production of that accomplished artist, which the triumph of the sister art will serve to make more popular. To the Engraver, Mr James Henry Watt, we would offer our gratulation with an unsparing liberality; for he has executed his task most admirably, and stamped himself as one of our first living artists.

FINDEN'S ILLUSTRATIONS OF BYRON.PART 10. The reputation of respectable houses is, after all, the best guarantee to the public that their confidence will not be misplaced. It was once, not many years ago, too frequently an "accident" upon the publication of works, in numbers, by petty or unprincipled publishers, to adhere to the "decoy-duck" system-namely, that the preliminary issues should be marked by some traits of talent or intrinsic merit, and, af

Chapman and Hall, + Murray, Tilt,

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