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1823.

Foreign Publications, with Critical Remarks.

lar amalgamation of epithets. His Ipsiboé, however, is not quite so extravagant, nor difficult to peruse, as his former productions. There are some gleams of common sense, and some approaches to a mundane manner of writing to be discovered here and there in it. The scene of action is at Carcassone, in the 13th century. But we omit the details, as the English public will be, if they are not already, favoured with a translation of this worthy successor of the Solitaire and the Renegut. In choosing the scene and epoch of his story, the author chanced upon the true scent of an interesting romance; but, owing to his not being well trained, or of the proper breed, he was soon at, fault, and has remained so. Carcassone, the seat of a Roman colony, was, during the middle ages, and down as late as the year 1329, the capital of Provencal civilization; and were it not for the Albigenses, the Popes, and Simon de Montfort, the civilization of Carcassone would have spread over France, and at present the graceful, sonorous, and picturesque Languedocian tongue would be spoken at Paris. The interval between 1200 and 1328 was a period of happiness and refined pleasure, at least for the upper classes of society. Similar to the inhabitants of Poland before 1780, the people were plunged in thraldom and ignorance, while their lords and masters were surrounded with all the blandishments of luxury and voluptuousness, refined by poetry and gallantry. Of the value of such a state of society, to a romance-writer, M. D'Arlincourt seemed unconscious; he was "playing in the plighted clouds" of his imagination with thoughts and beings not of this world, when he should have been walking the earth, and conversing with "human mortals." We are happy to understand that this interesting period has attracted the attention of a distinguished literary character, who is preparing a historical sketch of the origin and progress of Provencal civilization.

Vie et Miracles du Bienheureux Heleye, Aumonier de St. Louis, accompagnée des preuves irrécusables de la saintété du dit Aumonier, preuves qui confondent les impies, &c. &c.

The title alone of this curious book would fill a page. We have chosen this work from amongst eight or ten others of a similar holy and mystical description, that have been published within the last month. This species of book is in high repute amongst publishers at present. An edition is soon carried off by the noble and the ambitious; almost every peer, even including many of those of the opposition, becomes a purchaser; for, as they say, without religion amongst the people "il n'y a pas de Pairie. But although the life of the bienheureux Thomas Heleye may put money in the pocket of the bookseller, yet it is not so sure that it will put religion in the hearts of the people, who appear to entertain a perverse prefer. ence for the Romans of Voltaire, and other simi. lar prophane, but amusing productions, that were published during the Revolution, at 12 sous the volume.

Memoires de Catinat, publiés par son arrière Neveu. 3 vols. in 8vo.

Catinat was a philosopher in the midst of the court of Louis XIV. and what is still, if possible,

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worse, a bourgeois. ferred upon Catinat and Vauban, one of the minor nobility, almost as much despised as the bourgeoisie, serve in some measure to explain the grandeur of Louis XIV. who, notwithstanding all his foolish pride and demigod foolery, was not altogether insensible to the claims of merit, even in a roturier. If this latter quality had descended to his illfated successor Louis XVI. his career might have heen a less melancholy one. The Memoires of Catinat are not certainly so entertaining as those of St. Simon; but they are still valuable, as exhibiting a faithful sketch of the opinions and habits of the army of his time. The character of Catinat himself is worthy of observation: he was a sage a little too much given to pleasure, but displaying a most unaffected contempt for vanity and all her allurements. This trait alone renders him a remarkable and original figure in French annals. He was born in 1637, wrote about 1700, and died in 1712.

The fortune and rank con

Collection des Théatres Etrangers. vols. 8vo.

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This was a publication much wanted in France, where, till within a very late period, a most deplorable ignorance of the dramatic literature of other countries prevailed. Racine, who died in 1699, was as totally unconscious of the existence of Shakspeare, as the French of the present day were of the existence of M. Leopold, a Swedish poet, until the last published volume of this collection presented them with two of his tragedies. M. Leopold, like the poets of those nations whose civilization has been factitious, or modelled upon that of their neighbours, has servilely copied Racine and the French playwrights in the two tragedies now before us, Odin, and Virginia. Odin is made the contemporary of Pompey, which offers rather a fine contrast between the rude magnificence and unshackled energy of this barbarian monarch, venerated as a God by his wild subjects, and the elegant simplicity and calm grandeur of the Roman general Pompey, who in this tragedy appears as the representative of civi lization. In the tragedy of Virginia, M. Leopold has absurdly enough supposed Virginia to be secretly enamoured of the decemvir Appius.-This translation of foreign theatrical productions will hasten the revolution in the French drama, which is near at hand. Before many years, we shall sec tragedies in prose, and modelled upon those of Shakspeare, played upon the French stage. is remarkable, that at the public libraries here they have found it necessary to have several additional copies of the late translation of Shakspeare, so numerous and repeated are the applications for it. And less than a century back, Voltaire, after having imitated Othello in his Zaire, let the Parisian public into the secret (in his Lettres sur les Anglois) that there was such a barbarian as Shakspeare, whose writings might be compared to a heap of rubbish with a few diamond sparks scattered through it.

It

Des Canaux Navigables de France. Par M. de Pomeuse. 1 vol. 4to.

This book may excite some curiosity in England, where navigable canals form so important a part of the public wealth. Napoleon did much for France in this way, considering the multipli

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city of affairs he had on his hands, and the shortness of his career. The moment the construction of a canal was finished, he sold it to a company, and with the produce commenced another. a very short period he laid out in the construction of canals, from twenty-five to thirty millions of francs, a sun far exceeding the expenditure of Louis XVI. for the same purpose during a reign of nineteen years. M. Pomeuse has made himself the historian of those great and useful works. He seems to have collected and arranged his materials with scrupulous exactitude; and though his book may not be amusing, it will certainly be found instructive. If we mistake not, he describes some contrivances in the construction of canals that have not as yet been practised in England.

Nouveaux Contes, par Madame Guizot. 4 vols. 12mo.

This is a charming collection of tales, which, though written expressly for the perusal of young

ladies, yet may be turned over not unpleasurably, nor unprofitably, by persons of maturer age. The fair authoress, Madame Guizot, has shewn herself possessed of a good heart, as well as a sound and cultivated mind. Before her marriage, she gave considerable celebrity to the name of Pauline de Meulan, under which signature she published several articles of no ordinary merit in the periodi. cals of the day. She and her two sisters were left with but little fortune; Pauline made over her share to them, got them advantageously married, and then declared that she herself would never marry unless she found a man generous enough to take her without a portion. M. Guizot, under-secretary of state during the ad. ministration of M. Decazes, and distinguished by his talents and literary acquirements, had the good taste and good feeling to marry Pauline de Meulan on these terms; and she has more than recompensed him for the want of fortune, by the very efficient assistance she gives him in his numerous literary enterprises.

LITERARY

Mr. BARRY CORNWALL'S new Poem may be expected to appear in a few days.

The Editorship of the Memoirs of the late Mr. Hayley, the friend and biographer of COWPER, has been confided to the care of the Rev. Dr. JOHNSON, one of the most intimate friends of the deceased Poet.

"The Hermit Abroad," by the author of the "Hermit in London" and "Hermit in the Country," the publication of which has been unavoidedly delayed, will appear in a few days; and at the same time, a new and improved edition of the "Hermit in the Country." 3 vols.

The Memoirs of the celebrated and eccentric General Rapp, the first Aide-deCamp of Napoleon, written by himself, are preparing for publication, in French and English.

Miss AIKIN is preparing for publication, a Memoir of her Father, the late John Aikin, M.D., together with a Selection of such of his Critical Essays and Miscellaneous Pieces as have not been before printed in a collective form. Improved editions of the most popular of Dr. Aikin's works are also preparing for the press, under the care of his family.

Mr. JOPLIN has in the press a work entitled Outlines of a System of Political Economy,' written with a view to prove to Government and the Country, that the cause of the present Agricultural Distress is entirely artificial; and to suggest a plan for the management of the currency, by which it may be remedied now, and by which a recurrence of similar evils may be prevented in future.

REPORT.

A Second Edition of the first two Volumes of NAPOLEON'S Own Memoirs will appear in a few days.

M. RoscoE has nearly completed his Translation of Sismondi's History of the Literature of the South of Europe.

Mr. WILLIAM DANIELL is preparing for publication the seventh volume of his "Picturesque Voyage round Great Britain," which will comprise the range of coast from the Nore to Weymouth. In the course of the ensuing summer he purposes to prosecute his voyage along the coast of Dorset, Devon, and Cornwall, to the Land's End, where, in the year 1813, he commenced his laborious periplus of Britain.

The First Number of "Architectural Illustrations of the Public Buildings of London," will appear on the first of April, and will contain seven engravings of St. Paul's Cathedral; the new entrance to the House of Lords; the Temple Church; and the Custom House, with two sheets of letter-press.

A new edition of " The Etonian" is just ready for publication, in 3 vols. post

octavo.

A Treatise on Mental Derangement. By Dr. WILLIS, is in the press.

The Author of the Cavalier, &c. has a new Novel in the Press, entitled The King of the Peak. In 3 vols. 12mo.

Sir EVERARD HOME, Bart. will shortly publish a Third Volume of Lectures on Comparative Anatomy.

A Gentleman long known to the Literary World is engaged on the Lives of Corregio and Parmegiano.

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Preparing for publication, in 2 vols. 12mo. Wine and Walnuts; or, After Dinner Chit-Chat. By a Cockney Greybeard. These papers, it will be recollected, originally appeared in the Literary Gazette, where they attracted much attention.

The third volume of the Transactions of the Literary Society of Bombay is just ready for publication.

A Poem, entitled the Judgment of Hubert, is about to make its appearance.

The Edinburgh Annual Register for the years 1819 and 1820, are nearly ready for publication.

In the course of a few weeks will appear, in 1 vol. Fables for the Holy Alliance; with other Poems, &c. By THOMAS BROWN, the younger.

Proposals are issued by Mr. R. Baynes, for the publication of an uniform edition of the Works of Dr. John Owen. To be edited by THOMAS CLOUTT, M. A.

Mr. SCORESBY, who is already favourably known to the public, by his Description of the Arctic Regions, and by various scientific papers, has now in the press an Account of his Voyage to Greenland, in the summer of 1822. In the course of this voyage he explored the Eastern Coast of West Greenland, to the extent of between 700 and 800 geographical miles.

MUSIC.-Proposals are circulated for publishing by subscription, in two folio volumes, a Selection from the most admired Works of that eminent Composer, the late Dr. CALLCOTT, including several Manuscript Pieces never before presented to the public, and a Memoir of the Author, written by Mr. Horsley. As it is to be published for the benefit of the Doctor's family, we are sure the friends of musical genius will not be slow in giving it their support.

Mr. N. L. KENTISH, of Winchester, civil engineer and surveyor, purposes publishing, in periodical numbers or sheets, Kentish's Hampshire, which will be dedicated to his Grace the Duke of Wellington, &c. &c. the Lord Lieutenant. To consist of a plan made from actual Trigonometrical Survey of the county on forty sheets, each 4ft. by 2ft. 6in. or upwards, in 1 volume, 2ft. by 2ft. 6in. on the im mense scale of five inches to one mile.

Mr. FREDERIC CLISSOLD, who made the next Aseent of Mont Blanc, after the fatal

WORKS IN Poems, Dramatic and Miscellaneous. By HENRY NEELE.

A Tragic Drama, entitled " Clemenza, or the Tuscan Orphan." By WHITELAW AINSLIE, M. D. author of the "Materia VOL. IX. NO. XXVII.

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Accident that befel the Guides of Dr. Hamel, in 1820, by the fall of anAvalanche, is about to publish an Account of his Journey, for the benefit of the Guides of Chamouni.

J. M. TUNCAN, A.B., of the University Press, Glasgow, author of "A Sabbath among the Tuscarora Indians," is preparing for publication an account of Travels through part of the United States and Canada, in 1818 and 1819, intended chiefly to illustrate subjects connected with the Moral, Literary, and Religious condition of the country.

Mr. Richardson has in the press an English Translation of the Gulistan, with an Essay on the Life and Genius of Sadi, the author, dedicated, with special permission, to the Chairman, Deputy Chairman, and Directors of the Hon. East India Company, and chiefly intended for the use of their Colleges, from the Persian text of Gentius, by JAMES Ross, esq. well known as an Oriental Scholar by his Persian Anthology, and other translations, under the name of Gulchin.

Preparing for Publication, by subscription, "Bibliotheca Gloucestrensis;" being a reprint of scarce and curious Tracts relating to the County and City of Gloucester; illustrative of, and published during, the Civil War; with biographical and historical remarks. To be published in parts.

Mr. BRITTON's "History and Antiquities of Canterbury Cathedral," in 1 vol. 4to. is just completed. It contains 26 engravings, with history and description of the building, account of the monuments, anecdotes of the Archbishops, &c.

The same author's "Illustrations, graphic and literary, of Fonthill Abbey," is announced for publication early in April; and will contain 11 engravings, instead of 9, as originally promised.

Early in the spring will be published, in 1 vol. 12mo. with a Plate, "The Art of Valuing Rents and Tillages." By J. S. BAYLDON.

Mr. BIRD, author of the "Vale of Slaughden," &c. has a volume in the press, entitled "Poetical Memoirs."

Mr. MEYER has nearly ready for publication, a fine Engraving in the Line and Chalk manner, from the greatly admired Painting by Kidd, of the "Stolen Kiss."

THE PRESS.

Medica of the Hindoos." To which are added, Lithographic Impressions of the Music of the various Songs; the chief scene, and the costume of the Swiss peasants, with explanatory notes.

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THE last month was one of rather unusual severity; still no very serious injury is anticipated from its effects. The white turnips, it is true, were somewhat affected by the intensity of the frost, unaccompanied as it was in many places by the protection which a timely covering of snow would have afforded them; and the probability is, that the whole are deteriorated in their quality, and a portion so far injured that the decay will be more apparent and extensive as the spring advances. The Swedish turnips are wholly uninjured; and as the quantity in reserve is large, when compared with the number of grazing beasts now in hand (which may be fairly estimated at one third less than former years would produce in the months of March and April), there is no apprehension of a scarcity of cattle food at the spring of the year, even 'should the season turn out unpropitious, which, however, there is at present no reason to anticipate. The wheats maintain a healthy and vigorous appearance, and the check which the plant experienced from the late severe weather, will, no doubt, prove much more serviceable than otherwise. We observe no preparations which indicate an intention of putting spring-wheat upon the turnip lands this year-the practice is

at all times improper, and unprofitable in the end; but the disproportion in the relative value of wheat and barley at the present moment, perhaps, is the only inducement for the advocates of the system not to persevere against the evidence of sound policy.

Should dry weather set in during the month of March, the lands which are mellowed by frost will be in fine order for the reception of spring corn and pulse; the planting of the latter has already commenced under favourable circumstances.

Layers are strong-hay is plentifulstock is improved in value-prices in general are looking upwards-labour is cheap, yet the poor not dissatisfiedNature smiles-the legislature is candid and considerate; and, taken as a whole, the situation of the landed interest is altogether better than heretofore, although much in need of further amendment. Manufactures are said to be in a flourishing state: we rejoice at the circumstance; but let it not be at the expense of agriculture-for alterum alterus auxilio eget; therefore, it is far better to seek a timely remedy for the one, than to suffer reaction to produce that which would be decidedly injurious to both.

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Aggregate Average Prices of Corn, Jan. 11th, 40, 5d-18th, 40s 10d-25th, 40s 3d-Feb. 1st, 40s Od Corn Exchange, Mark-Lane.-Quantities and Prices of British Corn sold and delivered.

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Lloyd's Coffee-House, Feb. 24, 1823. THE Confusions in the political world have produced such intense interest throughout the mercantile community, that every day, and almost every hour, is marked by fluctuations of opinion, of speculation, of purchase and sale, and of real or conjectural profit and loss. Whether to continue to hold a commodity, or to part with it at the price offered, depends on a breath ;-on some expression said to have fallen from the well-informed Mr. Such-an-one-on some phrase in a letter received by the latest mail, or on some echo of what has been surmised to have formed the subject of the last Cabinet Council. It may be stated, generally, that most articles are rising in price,-but, that the Public Funds are declining. The Foreign Loans are prominent instances of such decline; and the incautious have sufficient cause for regret if not for remorse. It is evident, that, besides other inconveniences attending a state of war, should war unhappily prove to be inevitable, imports of all kinds will be charged with additional expenses,-higher freight, higher wages, &c. &c.-which have not attached to articles already in the warehouse. Take that bulky article COTTON as an instance ;-to say nothing of war duties, convoy duties, &c. the mere hire of ships, and of sailors, loss of time,

higher insurance, disappointment, &c. must be met by an advance in price.-The article, therefore, is at this moment in general request; every dealer is desirous of securing as large a portion of stock as he can; the holders feel their advantage, and obtain improved prices. It is conjectured, that almost the whole of what was bought at the last sale at the India House has changed hands at an advance : and most other kinds have felt the benefit of an enlarged enquiry, much exceeding what has been common of late.

The same, and, indeed, more than the same is the state of the SUGAR market; at an early hour, on more than one day last week, the houses of the principal brokers were filled with buyers eager to obtain the first offers and choice;—and in various places the sales continued two hours later than the usual time of closing business. To say that the commodity rose in price, is merely to report the natural course of things; but, we might almost add, that the rise did not deter purchasers; which is saying much more.

Sugars bought two months ago are now sold freely at an advance of six or seven shillings per cwt. and those sold a week or ten days back, may now realize a profit of two shillings, or three shillings, or more. Refined goods follow the market; and five shillings per cwt. advance is

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