nor have been received by him. As little was that result of the note anticipated by Mr Tait, who was, not unnaturally, alarmed at such testimony to Richmond's merits, from so important a quarter.

Messrs FINLAY and REDDIE to Mr TAIT. In answer to Mr Tait's Letter of the 20th November, and the above queries.

In reply to Mr Tait's letter, dated the 20th November last, but only delivered at Mr Reddie's office on the 5th December instant, Mr Kirkman Finlay and Mr Reddie have merely to state, that, although the summons was only left at the counting-house of James Finlay and Co. in Glasgow, while Mr Kirkman Finlay resided at Castle Toward, upwards of thirty miles distant, and at Mr Reddie's dwelling-house in Glasgow, on Monday the 10th November last, both to appear next day, at eleven o'clock, they did not decline to give evidence as witnesses in the suit at the instance of Richmond v. Marshall & Miles, on the ground of any informality of cita. tion, or want of jurisdiction in the English Court or Scotch

Commissioner; but were advised they could not do so, consistently with the due discharge of their public legal duty; and, therefore, explained to the Court, through the Commissioner, the circumstances in which they were placed, leaving it to the Court to determine whether they ought to give evidence, as witnesses, or not. In their explanatory note, Mr Finlay and Mr Reddie gave no statement beyond what was necessary to convey to the Court the knowledge of their situation, as now called upon to bear testimony; and they neither intended to give, nor have given, any evidence in favour of either party. Indeed, it does not require much knowledge of law to perceive, that their statement, in such circumstances, cannot be received, and will not he received, or admitted, as evidence between the parties, by any court of law, whether English or Scotch. The requisition for various explanations, transmitted by Mr Tait, on the 5th December inst, is quite unwarranted, and, he must be aware, cannot be complied with.

Glasgow, 9th December 1834.

For, and as authorized by Mr Finlay, and for myself,
JAS. REDDIE.

NEW POEMS.

The Exiles of Chamouni, a Drama; and the Rose of Cashmere, an Oriental Opera. By Charles Doyne Sillery, Esq.

Mr SILLERY gallops his Pegasus at such a fiery-footed pace, and makes so many strange gambades, curvets, and caracoles, that we fairly give up all hope of being able to keep up with him, although the haze of the Brocken and the cloud-capt Alps, among which he chooses to disport, did not wrap him from mortal sight. The "Exiles of Chamouni," is a drama, written for the purpose of "exhibiting the dreadful nature of sin." In it the devil, though in face of the proverb, scarcely gets his due.

The Riches of Chaucer.

A selection, in two close-printed volumes, from the voluminous writings of the Father of English Poetry." We consider this, after all, the chief poetical trophy of the month. The Editor, Mr Charles Clarke, has modernized the spelling, explained the obsolete words, expunged the antique grossnesses and simplicities-for we will not adopt his word, "impurities"-and, in short, restored this delightful and most truly English old author to popular acceptance. In this he has done excellent service, which, we trust, the public will duly appreciate. Selections of the English Poets, from Spenser to Beattie. London: Scott and Webster. Right glad are we to find that the sterling English Poets of former generations are not yet quite forgotten. This volume is one of the most pleasant remembrancers of this agreeable fact that we have lately seen. In exterior, it is as handsome and more substantial than any of the Annuals. Its contents are the amaranthine flowers and the rare gems of English verse; and it is studded with appropriate engravings, sufficient to furnish several Annuals. A boldly engraved portrait of Goldsmith, instead of some mawkish specimen of fashion, forms the frontispiece; and the work is enriched with beautiful vignettes; a style of embellishment for which we have an especial predilection. To ladies and young persons, or those who select for them, we recommend this volume upon even a higher principle than that on which the Vicar of Wakefield's wife chose her wedding gown,It will not only wear well, but it is beautiful from the first.

From a CORNUBIAN, we have RECREATIONS IN RHYME-sprightly humorous stories and sketches in easy jingling verse, one of which is worth a whole shelfful of "woful ballads to a mistresses' eye-brow."

We may notice here that Mr Ryan of Huddersfield, and Mr Parke of Glasgow, has each produced a volume of verses. Mr Parke is already favourably known to the literary world-Mr Ryan deserves to be so.

Songs of the Months.

The poetry and music published during the last year in the Monthly Repository, are here gathered into a garland for "the hoary head of Time." They form an elegant, as we have no doubt they will an acceptable volume, and welcome token in social and friendly circles.

WORKS IN SERIES.

The Architectural Director. Nos. 8, 9, 10. By John Billington, Architect.

We understand there are some generous individuals, Great Unknowns, who at present send gratuitously to the Artisans' Reading Rooms the Standard and such other journals as may keep the subscribers sound and orthodox in their political faith and opinions. We have no objection to this; but still would suggest that to such gifts works like the Architectural Director were added, or, if need be, that they should be substituted for the Tory journals.

Allan Cuningham has brought his edition of Burns to a prosperous conclusion, and crowned his labours by a few appropriate and felicitous stanzas. Other Scottish bards have woven flowers in the crowning garland; and among them we would distinguish the verses of Mr David Vedder, which are in the true spirit of Burns. This edition may not be without its faults. The text is sometimes overloaded with mere make-weight commentary, and the criticism is occasionally bald enough; but, take it as a whole, the Burns of Allan Cuningham will long remain a favourite edition of the works of the NATIONAL BARD, with all who possess a spark of genuine Scottish feeling.

VALPY'S HUME goes on with business-like punctuality; and so do those cheap and valuable reprints, entitled the SACRED CLASSICS. They have now reached twelve neat volumes; forming a Body of Divinity of the highest value, and selling at £2: 23. This we pronounce a good work; one whose value time will not soon depreciate.

The 16TH PART of the POPULAR ENCYCLOPEDIA is before us. It is a business-like Part, and gets over a good deal of ground by judicious condensation. The History of the East India Company, and of Ecclesiastical Establishments, are valuable statistical articles. The Number also comprehends Erectricity.

A third volume of MARTIN'S BRITISH COLONIES bas appeared; and a Life of HANNAH MORE, with her Cor. respondence, which, if more full, is not more accurate, nor nearly so just as that which appeared in this Magazine. This long life exhibits Hannah More as she chose to appear in full dress, or in a careful dishabille in her correspondence; that of the Magazine is the true character shewn in its recesses, and with all its internal actuating motives displayed, whether petty or mixed, benevolent or selfish.

Illustrations of Social Depravity. No. VII.

The Freemasons.

This Number is devoted to the strange history of the murder of William Morgan, in the State of New York, by a conspiracy among the Freemasons. This atrocious

crime made a great sensation a few years back. The narrative possesses much of the interest which usually belongs to a tale of "Murder will out," though it is rather overloaded with minute, unimportant circumstances. The moral hinges upon the blood of Morgan crying from the ground unavenged, no individual having been yet called in question by the lodges for taking part in the dark crime of his mysterious murder.

BOOKS OF 1834.

We must close close our account-current with the publishing year, 1834. Many of its more valuable productions we have already noticed. Some, not the least deserving, have been deferred, upon the complimentary understanding that they were good enough to stand over; that they were of a quality that will keep, and yet be neither neglected nor forgotten. Among the more important of those which we must now cursorily notice, is SOUTHEY'S BRITISH ADMIRALS. It is a piece of respectable compilation, and nothing more. The writer had no farther object than to tell distinctly the old stories of Drake and Hawkins in the best fashion of the bookmakers-and this he has accomplished.

Cabinet of Friendship. A Tribute to the Memory of the late John Aitken. Edinburgh. This is a token-volume, amiable in the motive of publication, and interesting in its varied contents. We are informed in the preface, that those who loved Mr Aitken living, determined to honour his memory when a premature death snatched him from a young family, in the way he would most have approved, namely, by contributing to a publication, designed to be a tribute to himself, and a benefit to his children. The contributors are chiefly the writers for Constable's Miscellany, of which Mr Aitken was the editor. We hope the work may largely fulfil the reverential and affectionate purpose for which it is brought out. It is graced with many familiar and some attractive names in modern ephemeral literature, and contains both tales and poems that enable it to compete with the best of the annuals.

The Comic Almanac.

The removal of the duty has this season been the cause of the appearance of a whole host of almanacs, of all sizes, characters, and conditions. The "Comic Almanac," by George Cruikshank, is, however, an Unique among the tribe. His ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE MONTHS are purely Hogarthiau. The subordinate department of the Almanac shews humour and sprightliness, though not always the best taste. We could have spared the plate at page 28. The "Comic Almanac" gives a list of his Majesty's Ministers, of which Lord Melbourne is the head. The Cabinet this year baffles the almanac makers. It is a singular fact, that this year some of the Edinburgh Almanacs are published without any Ministry at all! The nation might be compelled to wait the return, or the pleasure of Sir Robert Peel; but the press could notand the Edinburgh Almanacs ominously appear without any Government.

Fisher's Gage d'Amitié.

This is the second appearance of this national annual. It is devoted to the picturesque scenery of the North of England, to the mountains and lakes, the castles, ruins, cathedrals, and border-holds of the counties of Westmoreland, Cumberland, Northumberland, and Durham. It presents views of celebrated places that one longs to see if they have never been beheld, and of which, once seen, it is pleasant to possess some agreeable memorial. The letterpress descriptions abound in historical and traditional tales of border scenery and Loider chivalry. To those who can afford, in a moderate way, to gratify a sound and rational taste for the arts, we recommend this cheap, handson e, desirable, and not expensive volume.

Archery and Archness.

This is a little work composed of puns and conceits, burlesques and travesties, in prose and verse-some of them lively, and others heavy and flat enough; yet, one with another, fat and lean, they form a rather amusing melange to those who are not attic in taste, nor fastidious about the quality of the wit, which serves its purpose with them, if it excite a temporary laugh.

Tough Yarns. By the Old Sailor.

This work has the true, ancient, fishy, sea-weedy smell. It is, in short, a very clever log-book: yet the plates, by George Cruikshank, are twice as clever, and, in his brilliant short-hand, tell much better stories.

MEDWIN'S ANGLER IN WALES, is a pleasant, gossiping, sketchy, anecdotal, dramatic, and descriptive work, upon which the author has poured forth the choice parts of his portfolio and of his diary. The work is fully as Welsh in its charming woodcuts, as in the letterpress, which rambles pleasantly over India, Italy, and all the world. The author-Byron's Medwin-does severe justice upon his capricious friend.

THE ANGLER IN IRELAND.-The Green Isle of the West is not just at present a country for a man to disport himself in pleasant fancies, or to pursue amusement and recreation, and believe the public will sympathize in light pleasures gathered in so sad a scene. We accordingly think the "Angler in Ireland" shews bad judgment and defective taste, with a mixture of agreeable description.

BENNET'S WANDERINGS IN NEW SOUTH WALES, is another of the many modern works of this kind: extensions of journals and memorandums made by sea and land, which take the place of late of the more formal travels. Much of the work is dedicated to natural history, and objects interesting to men of science. The work contains many curious notices of the manners of the aborigines of New Holland, and of the New Zealanders.

THE LITERARY SOUVENIR. This is almost the oldest of the Annuals. It is, therefore, entitled to take precedence in setting out upon a new and better tack. The hopeless attempt of resting any strong or permanent claim upon literary merit is surrendered, and the editor has taken the prudent course of getting up a highly embellished work; a volume to be turned over again and again; looked at admiringly, and not read critically. For this purpose the size is enlarged, and the numerous engravings are of a kind which entitles the Souvenir to take a distinguished place as a work of Art among the productions of the season.

THE EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY ANNUAL, is the name assumed for a small volume, containing several prose sketches and poetical pieces, which, at a glance, we can perceive to possess merit of no ordinary kind. We regret that our limits preclude quotation at this particular time, when our literary register, already far in arrear, is full to overflow; but we promise ourselves the pleasure of looking back upon it, and, in the meantime, recommend the new aspirant after literary honours to the attention of the public.

Translation of the Abbe De la Mennais' Words of a Believer.

A translation of this celebrated work, which has been denounced from the Vatican-excommunicated" by book and bell," has just appeared in London. The Holy Alliance is as likely to denounce it as the Holy Father. In France it has made a great sensation. In Britain it will be regarded as a curiosity, though many people will wonder for what does the Pope disquiet himself. Discoveries in Asia Minor, By the Rev. F. J.

Arundel, British Chaplain at Smyrna.

This is an extremely entertaining memorial of travels and discoveries in an exhaustless field. In it living manners vie in interest with classic and sacred antiquities and recollections; and learning is made the handmaid of discovery and observation.

Dr John Young, Professor of Philosophy in

the College of Belfast.

and School. By John Smith. Simpkin and Marshall.

This is a good little book for teachers; but especially for maiden aunts and grandmothers who assume the office. It is, however, liable to the objections made against all works of this kind that are arranged in the interrogative form.

publication of his lectures will add to his fame, we are not yet prepared to say. They are nearly limited to the history of intellectual science, and contain less original speculation or disquisition than we looked for. We mean to say that they are of more value as a text-book for students in the philosophy of mind, than as a system aspiring to originality.

The Autobiography of a Dissenting Minister.

Gooch, Esq. London: Baily.

Let no elector be without this book, unless he has himself noted, in every instance, and upon every division, the vote of the representative he has chosen. It exhibits, in a synoptical form, and in a small space, the nature of every important question debated, the mover's name, the gross division, and the particular vote. It is a compendious mirror of the Reformed Parliament, and is to be continued at the close of every Session. It does not seem quite accurate; but this can be improved in future years. We do not see the price marked, or we would quote it, but it cannot be above three or four shillings. We heartily recommend it as a companion to the polling

the elective franchise is intrusted.

FINE ARTS.

Finden's Byron's Beauties.

Bagster on the Management of Bees.

MR SAMUEL BAGSTER is by profession far enough removed from apiarian studies. He is a printer, who becoming fond of the study of natural history, concentrated his mind upon this favourite branch, and, accor dingly, produced a complete treatise on the internal economy of the honey-makers, and a system of beneficial bee-management. He has also invented or improved a Ladies' Safety Hive, as an inducement to the fair sex to take interest in the labours of his favourites. We are glad to observe, that he denounces the cruel and ungrateful practice of suffocation, and describes the humane process of fumigation, which better serves the intended purpose; as by it the bees are only stupified, and in a certain time revive again, the honey being in the meanwhile taken away. We find many other ingenious novelties; as bee-unions to strengthen a stock. The work contains many pleasant anecdotes, and is llustrated with numerous wood-cuts explanatory of the author's lessons to apiators. Mr Bagster, who is an enthusiast for bees, has also re-published Spiritual Honey ; an old work by Purchas, the quaint historian of the early English navigators.

The Fruit Cultivator By John Rogers. MR ROGERS is a venerable image of Father Adam, and has reached fourscore and three. In this treatise he lays before the world the fruits of his ripened experience in a plain practical manner. He was formerly of the Royal Gardens, and now dates from Southampton Nursery. We do not feel qualified to pronounce upon the merits of his work, which, we regret the more, as we cannot even afford space to those learned Scotch horticulturists who are entitled to judge.

The First and Second Parts of a series of ideal portraits under the above title has appeared, upon which the respective artists have bestowed great care. The first is Zuleika, a sweet, lovely, innocent creature, Turkish in costume but

painted by Wright, and is finely engraved. Donna Julia: -It is not easy to paint a Donna Julia which can fill up the ideal image to the readers of Byron. He has himself disfigured that character, by giving to the tender, devoted, and impassioned Julia, qualities which never yet met or blended in the same female bosom. She is as womanlydevoted as the Eloise of Abelard, and as flippant and impudent as the chambermaid of a modern farce. The opposite characters are an outrage to nature—a moral impossibility. The portrait is that of a charming woman, and such as Donna Julia may have been. Donna Inez, "the Lady-mother mathematical," is a portrait full of character, but not of the character which imagination assigns to that odious piece of vice, prudery, and hypocrisy. The Second Part contains an enchanting picture of Anah and Aholibamah.

Faust, a Serio-Comic Poem, with Twelve Outline Illustrations. By Alfred Crowquill.

We are not sure that we relish the scoffing and malicious mockery of travesties of this kind. Faust is, however, becoming such a bore to the merely English reader, that one is glad of the relief of seeing him in Harlequin clothes. One may therefore give up Faust, Martha, and Mephistopheles, to the mocking fiend, Caricature; but it is not easy to endure the distortion and disfigurement, into a coarse Moll Flanders, of Margaret, the very spirit of youth, love, trustfulness, and selfdevotion.

Memorials of Oxford

The pictorial work which we have formerly had occasion to notice with high approbation, has now reached the 26th Number. It is continued with the same striking beauty, and spirit in the engravings, which distinguished the early numbers, and the same accuracy of description and elegance of letterpress. It is altogether a work worthy of the first University in the world; and of the gentlemen of England, for whom it is intended.