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abound in the Bible, and such as we also find thickly sown in the writings of our old essayists and divines. "Dull preaching is the bane of success;" and thus the author justly considers that illustrations are of importance. Indeed, all our great preachers, being men of much fertility of mind and richness of invention, abound with them, in appositeness, in elegance, in variety, scarcely inferior to the poets themselves. The authors who have principally supplied the present volume with materials are, Jeremy Taylor, Reynolds, and Hopkins, besides Baxter and other nonconforming divines. From such authors it may be well supposed that we have abundance of elegant illustrations and forcible figures of speech, the perusal of which we recommend to the younger divines, who will find them, under a judicious selection and use, of great advantage to their compositions.

Memoirs of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough. By Mrs. A. Thomson. 2 vols. 8vo. Biographers are apt to fall into two errors in their works. Either they publish too much, as wishing to do all possible honour to the memory of the deceased, and in many cases, as deeply sympathising with the subject, they presume that their readers will feel an interest equal to their own; this is a common fault in the lives of eminently religious persons, whose friends are anxious to extol them to the utmost, and particularly as their previous reputation has been included in a contracted circle. The other error is to let the stream of biography expand its channel so widely, and draw so much of its strength from history, as to lessen the importance of its subject by surrounding it with so many groups of scarcely inferior interest. This, in a more or less degree, takes place, when the materials for biography are scanty, while the person whose character is drawn filled a large space in contemporaneous history. Mrs. A. Thomson, in the present life, has, we think, in no measure fallen into the former defect, for her narrative seldom flags for want of interest; but we can scarcely think that she has not given too historical a feature to her work. This might have been avoided by forming the plan of the life on a somewhat narrower scale, and making larger extracts from the correspondence of the Duchess. As it is, it is a work executed with taste and good feeling, and as much research as was required. The style is without affectation, plain, easy, and suitable to the subject; the opinions and reflections are just and sound-and the portraits are drawn without spleen or prejudice. Mrs. A. Thomson appears to have been acquainted with

all the usual materials for the formation of her history, and has occasionally introduced a few anecdotes that were not previously known to us.

Digest of Hooker's Ecclesiastical Polity. By Rev. J. B. Smith, D.D.-Dr. Smith has spoken with great reserve and modesty of his own contributions to this work; but all who read it will acknowledge the judgment displayed in the manner in which Hooker's work is abridged, and the advantage to be received from the annotations of the editor. Hooker's is indeed an immortal work, a Kтnμa és aet, and one of immense importance in the present con. stitution of our church and the feelings of the people; and we have no doubt but that this digest of its reasonings, given in language more familiar than the original, will lead many to an acquaintance with it, from which they would otherwise have been repelled. An abridgment of any great work may do much good; it never can do harm, but when it supersedes the original-of which there is no fear in the present case.

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An Examination of the ancient Orthography of the Jews, &c. Part II. By C. N. Wall, D.D.-Of the very learned and elaborate disquisitions in this volume, we should point out that on the Egyptian Hieroglyphics, on the Siro-Syriac Monu. ments, and on the formation of the Sanscrit language, as peculiarly interesting, both from the very accurate reasoning of the arguments, and the variety of learning displayed. The author mentions (p. 126) that it has been urged in favour of Egyptian science, that the pyramids are placed with their sides exactly facing the cardinal points, from which it is inferred that a considerable progress in astronomy must have been made by the Egyptians in very early times. But the engineers employed by Buonaparte in 1798 found the deviation of the sides of the principal pyramid from the direction attributed to them to be nearly the third part of a degree, a quantity that is rendered very sensible by the great length of these sides. But to determine the meridian line only to this degree of correctness, evinces but little skill, and the making of it out with much more exactness is one of the simplest and most elementary problems in the whole range of practical astronomy." The author also considers the paintings published by Mr. Wilkinson, Rossellini, &c. to be less ancient than the edifices in which they are found, and the edifices to fall short by a thousand years of the age attributed to them.

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FINE ARTS.

PANORAMA OF DAMASCUS.

Mr. Burford has opened, in his great circle at Leicester Square, a panorama of the city of Damascus, with its minarets, gardens, tombs, mosques, ancient walls and buildings, gates and khans; its surrounding scenery of deserts, rivers, and mountains; and its enlivening living groups of various Oriental costume, camels, processions, sheiks, priests, Arabs, Christians, and merchants. Of all these, Mr. Burford has made almost more than his usual picturesque and effective illusion. The picture is a splendid production, and would at any time be of great public attraction; but at present, with so vivid an interest attached to the scene-an interest superadded to that which belongs to its Scriptural antiquities, we can imagine no exhibition better calculated to excite and gratify public curiosity.

THE GRANGER SOCIETY.

At the first meeting of the Council of this Society, when the chair was taken by W. R. Hamilton, Esq. it was decided, that the engraving of " Philip and Mary," from a picture by Sir Antonio More, should be delivered to the members in January; and that the fine whole-length of Sir Thomas Meautys, the faithful friend and secretary of Lord Bacon, should be immediately placed in the hands of the engraver.

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ELECTROTYPE PLATES.

At the first meeting for the season of the Graphic Society, two or three impressions were exhibited of prints taken from electrotype plates, both in line and mezzotint, which defied even the eye of knowledge to say which was the original or which the copy. There will be no necessity hereafter to print from wornout plates, or to re-engrave them. A plate fresh from the engraver's hands can be now multiplied, if necessary, into a series of coppers-steel will no longer be of use. This will lower, not their value, but their price, and bring a new class of purchasers into the market.

TINTED LITHOGRAPHY.

Mr. Hullmandel, who has already done much to improve lithography, has taken out patents for a new mode of producing pictorial effects on lithographic stone by GENT. MAG. VOL. XV.

tints washed with a brush, like sepia drawing, which yield impressions so perfectly resembling original sketches, that the difference is not discernible. The painters, we are told, will now have at their command a means of multiplying their own works, which their habitual practice renders available without altering their style of handling; for this new mode of lithography-or rather painting on stone-is just as if the sketch were made on stone instead of on paper. The variety and delicacy of the tints, the freedom and facility with which they are produced, and modified as well, and their durability under the printing process, are among the advantages attributed to this discovery.

PORTRAIT OF DANTE.

An interesting discovery has been made at Florence, in the chapel of the Palazzo del Podestá, now called del Bargello. This is none other than the long-lost portrait of Dante, painted by Giotto-the only other authentic likeness of the poet, which existed in Santa Croce, being irretrievably lost. Besides this, there have also been discovered portraits of Brunetto Latini and Corso Donati, and of other unknown personages. It appears, that a Signor Bezzi, incited by a note of Moreni to the Vita di Dante da Filelfo, where, as well as in Vasari's work, the portrait is mentioned, with some difficulty obtained permission to restore the frescoes in the chapel of the Bargello; some experiments with that object having been already made, but unsuccessfully, about thirty years since, by Dr. Cioni, the eminent Florentine chemist. The figure of Dante is whole-length: the poet holds in the one hand a book, in the other a branch of pomegranate. The wall on which this and the other portraits are painted is that opposite to the entrance. door. It is now proposed to restore the whole chapel.

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dress of wrought silver, leaving the head and hands alone visible. M. Giuseppe Hyzler having been charged with its repair, succeeded in removing the superincumbent coats of paint, and exposing to view the original painting. This picture is painted à tempra on wood, measures 7 feet by 4 feet, and represents the apostle Paul. The figure, which is larger than life, is seated, holding a sword in the right hand, and the volume of the Gospels in the left; the seat or pulpit, representing inlaid work of many colours, is faulty in its perspective. The field, or groundwork of the picture, is a gold brocade, and the glory round the Saint's head is of gold, according to the manner adopted by Giotto and his school. The

upper part of the dress, and the sleeves, are bordered by raised work in gold, as was practised up to the end of the fifteenth century. The dress is of a brownred colour, the cloak blue lined with green: both are ornamented with gold flowers, and bordered with gold fringe.

Lord Eldon has ordered statues, from Sir Francis Chantrey, of his grandfather and his grand-uncle, Lord Eldon and Lord Stowell; and the University of Edinburgh, a statue from the same hand, of James Watt, which will make the sixth erected to the memory of that great man in this country. Even the statues to the Duke of Wellington are fewer in number than those to plain James Watt.

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LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGEN CE.

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NEW PUBLICATIONS.

History and Biography. Retrospect of a Military Life during the most eventful Periods of the last War. By JAMES ARETON. 12mo. 7s.

Letters illustrative of the Reign of

William III. addressed to the Duke of

Shrewsbury. By JAMES VERNON, Esq. Secretary of State. Edited, with Introduction and Notes, by G. P. R. JAMES. 3 vols. 8vo, with Portraits. 42s.

The Life, Journals, and Correspondence of Samuel Pepys, Esq. F.R.S. 2 vols. 8vo. 28s.

Memorials of the Rebellion of 1569, principally from the Bowes Papers and other original sources. Edited by Sir

CUTHBERT SHARP. 8vo. 21s.

Gregory VII.'s Life and Pontificate. By J. W. BowDEN. 2 vols. 8vo. 21s. The great Civil War of Charles I. and the Parliament. By the Rev. RICHARD B.D. 8vo. CATTERMOLE, 21s. Autobiographical Memoir. By S. W.

TILKES. 8vo. 12s.

Travels and Topography.

Cairo Illustrated. By ROBERT HAY. Imp. fol. 41. 4s.

ALLEN'S Picturesque Views on the River Niger. 4to. 258.

Tour to the Sepulchres of Etruria in 1839. By Mrs. HAMILTON GRAY. 8vo.

21s.

Around the World: a Narrative of the Voyage of the East India Squadron of the United States under Commodore G. C. Read. By an Officer of the U. S. Navy. 2 vols. 12mo. 15s.

The Cities and Towns of Scotland, illustrated in a series of Views in Tinted Lithography, with Plans and Topographical details. By J. and D. NICHOL, Montrose. Imp. folio. Part I. The City of

Aberdeen, in 8 sheets, 12s. 6d.-Part II. The City of Perth, in 8 sheets, 12s. 6d. -Parts III. and IV. The City of Glasgow, in 16 sheets, 258.

Voyages and Travels round the World. By the Rev. DANIEL TYERMAN and GEORGE BENNET, Esq. Compiled from Original Documents, by JAMES MONTGOMERY, Esq. With Engravings.

Poetry.

7s.

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Elphinstone; a Novel. 3 vols. 31s. 6d. Mercedes of Castile. By J. F. COOPER. 3 vols. 31s. 6d.

Longbeard, Lord of London; a Romance. By C. MACKAY. 3 vols. 31s. 6d. The Thirst for Gold. By Miss BURDON. 3 vols.

The Three Peers. By LADY STEPNEY. 3 vols. 31s. 6d.

Romance of Jewish History. By the Misses Moss. 3 vols. 31s. 6d.

The Hour and the Man; an Historical Romance. By HARRIET MARTINEAU. 3 vols. 31s. 6d.

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Sermons on the Seven Churches of Asia, and other Subjects. By the late Rev. THOMAS WILLIAM CARR. 12mo. 6s. LE MESURIER'S Garrison Sermons. 12mo. 68.

Sketches of Sermons on Types and Metaphors. 12mo. 4s. 6d.

The Better Prospects of the Church: a Charge to the Clergy of the Archdeaconry of Lewes. By JULIUS CHARLES HARE, M.A. 8vo. 38.

A Sermon preached at Towcester, at the Primary Visitation of the Lord Bishop of Peterborough. By the Rev. A. J. RAM (late Vicar of Towcester), Incumbent of the Minster, Beverley. 8vo.

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Medicine, &c.

A Treatise on the Nervous Diseases of Women; comprising an Inquiry into the Causes, Nature, and Treatment of Spinal and Hysterical Disorders. By THOMAS LAYCOCK, M.D. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

MORTON'S Surgical Anatomy of Hernia, &c. 98.

On the Phenomena of Sensation as connected with the Mental, Physical, and Instinctive Faculties of Man. By J. JOHNSTONE, M.D. 8vo. 88.

Memoranda regarding the Royal Lunatic Asylum, &c. at Montrose. By RICHARD POOLE, M.D. 8vo. 88.

On the New Operation for the Cure of Squinting. By E. W. DUFFIN. 6s. WIGHTMAN on Sympathy of Stomach and Brain. 58. 6d.

An Inquiry into the Efficacy of Digitalis in the Treatment of Idiopathic Epilepsy. By EDMOND SHARKEY, M.D.

8vo. 48.

Natural History.

Sporting Scenes and Country Characters. By MARTINGALE. 8vo. 218.

The History and Natural Arrangement of Insects. By WM. SWAINSON and W. E. SHUCKARD, Esqrs. fcp. 8vo. 6s. MUDIE'S Domestic Animals. 12mo. 5s. BAINES'S Flora of Yorkshire. 8vo. 7s. 6d.

The Kingdoms of Nature: for the Use of Schools, &c. By CHRISTOPHER IRVING, LL.D. &c. 18mo. 4s. 6d.

Fine Arts.

Prout's Microcosm; the Artist's SketchBook of Groupes of Figures, Boats, &c. By SAMUEL PROUT, F.S.A. 4to. 21s. RETZCH'S Outlines to Shakspere's Tempest. 4to. 18s.

STOTHARD'S Illustrations to Pilgrim's Progress. 4to. 15s.

The Art of Engraving. By T. H. FIELDING. Royal 8vo. 12s. Lessons in Colour. By F. HOWARD. No. I. 2s. 6d.

Science.

Public Engineering Works of the United States. 2 pts. 4to. and plates fol. 40s. Certainties of Geology. By W. S. GIBSON. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

Mathematical Dissertations, for the Use of Students in the Modern Analysis; with Improvements in the Practice of Sturm's Theorem, in the Theory of Curvation, and in the Termination of Infinite Series. By J. R. YOUNG. 8vo. 9s. 6d.

On Tilling and Fertilizing Land. By T. VAUX. 8vo. 6s. 6d.

WEBSTER on the Principles of Sound. 8vo. 58.

The Ombrological Almanac for 1841. By PETER LEGH, Esq. M.A. 1s. Antiquities, &c.

SHARPE'S Egyptian Inscriptions. 7 parts. 4to. Each 10s.

Language, &c.

Analecta Hebraica, with Critical Notes, and Tables of Paradigms of the Conjugations of the Regular and Irregular Verbs. By C. W. H. PAULI. 8vo. 16s.

Preparing for Publication.

Memorials of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, including a Summary View of its History, the Succession of the Knights, and Biographical Notices of those who were elected under the first two Sovereignties. By G. F. BELTZ, K. H. Lancaster Herald. In one volume, Royal 8vo. dedicated to Her Majesty.

The Musical Antiquarian Society.An institution akin to the Camden and Shakespeare Societies has been formed, having in view the publication of our ancient master-pieces of music, many of which have either never been printed, or in forms so costly, as to be beyond the reach of moderate purses. The Council is judiciously formed of the leading members of the English profession; the subscription list is already, we hear, in a prosperous state of fulness; while the catalogue of works suggested for publication is long and tempting. The first issue will, we believe, be Byrde's Mass for Five Voices; to be followed by the Cantiones of Tallis and Byrde, the Madrigals of Wilbye, Morley, Bateson, Dowland, Gibbons, Weelkes, &c.; the operas, cantatas, and instrumental sonatas of Purcell, and the dramatic songs of Lawes, Locke, Campion, and others. The Treasurer is Mr. Chappell, 50, New Bond-street, and the Secretary Mr. Rimbault, 9, Denmark-street, Soho.

Literature of Wales.-The anniversray of the Welsh Literary Society of Abergavenny was held at that town on the 7th and 8th of October. Numerous prizes were adjudged; but one is deserving of particular notice, as the subject was open to all Europe. A prize of 80 guineas was offered for the best Treatise on the influence of Welsh Traditions on the Literature of Germany, France, and Scandinavia." It was to be written either in Welsh, German, English, or French; if in the first or second languages, to be accompanied by an English or French translation. Chevalier Bunsen was appointed umpire. Three treatises were sent in; the first written in German, with an English translation; the second in French;

the third in German, with French translation; and to the latter, written by Prof. Schultz, of Bromberg, the prize was adjudged.

UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE.

Nov. 2. The Seatonian Prize for the best English Poem was adjudged to the Rev. T. E. Hankinson, M.A. of Corpus Christi College. Subject, The Ministry of Angels. Mr. H. obtained the same prize in the years 1831, 1832, 1833, 1834, 1835, and 1838.

The following subjects have been announced for the prizes of the present year:

The Chancellor's gold medal, "The Death of the Marquis Camden, the late Chancellor of the University."

The Members' prizes-1. For the Bachelors, In legibus ferendis, quid propositi habere debeat qui poenas peccatis irrogat; et quænam sit adhibenda suppliciorum mensura? 2. For the Undergraduates-Poetis ea maxima laus est, si summis ingenii dotibus ita utantur, ut virtutis amorem alant.

Sir William Browne's medals,
1. For the Greek ode-

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WESTMINSTER SCHOOL.

The Andria of Terence has been this year represented by the Queen's Scholars of Westminster School. This classical entertainment went off with its usual spirit. The characters were all habited in appropriate Greek costume, and though something of the broad distinction was lost which formerly marked the respective dramatis persona more readily to the English eye than the uniform attire of tunic, toga, and buskin, the reasonableness of the alteration could not be disputed, and the dresses were as correct as if copied from the illuminated Terence of the Vatican.

The characters were uniformly well supported, and the elegant colloquial Latin of the author delivered with great clearness and propriety. Simo, Pamphilus, and Davus were enacted with prominent excellence. One slight observation we will

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