ent from that of place,--place from that of music,-music from that of form,-form from that of numbers,-numbers from that of moral principles. A careful consideration should be extended to the Physical Education,-exercise-clothing-ventilation, as also to the cultivation of the sentiments, and the formation of character,—the causing children to be as well as to know,-the making what they learn enter into their habits. Many of the favourers of a change in education have of late years been impugning the value of the classics; and the directors of the Edinburgh academy complain of a prejudice against them in Scotland. If amid our changes we are tempted to neglect the study of those two noble languages of antiquity, the Latin and the Greek, it will be a subject much to be lamented; for if there was not to be found in them a sentiment which is not embodied in modern literature, if the clearness and melody of the languages, their force and accuracy are as nothing,still it is of the highest importance that we should be acquainted with the modes of thinking in ages far removed from our own times. They afford us a point of comparison which greatly assists us in extricating ourselves from the peculiarities of particular Epochs, and in distinguishing the general principles of human nature from modes of the time in which we may chance to live, which become easily mistaken for them. But in attaching importance to classical studies, we do not allude to that slight and valueless acquaintance with the Latin and Greek languages which is attained while at school by those who upon quitting it are obliged to enter immediately upon the active affairs of life, and there take leave of them for ever. The manly literature of the ancients contains stuff for the mature intellect to reflect upon. The Society, we understand, proposes publishing from time to time in volumes, numbers, or small papers, according as its materials and other circumstances shall determine the following heads :1. Primary on elementary education. 2. Secondary education. upon 3. Superior or university education. 4. Special or professional education. 5. Supplementary education. In the instance of a valuable article appearing upon any popular subject, it is proposed to publish it separately in a cheap form so as to be generally acceptable. Lists of valuable school books, and criticisms upon them will also be given, and publication we understand has also been contemplated, where a want of a work is felt and the society finds means of efficiently supplying it. Mrs. Austin in her valuable preface to her translation of M. Victor Cousin's report says "constituted as the government of this country is, and accustomed as it is to receive its impulses from without (a state of things approved aud consecrated by the national ways of thinking), it would be contrary to reason and to experience to expect it to originate any great changes. This is not recognized either by governors or governed as any part of its duty. It is to the public mind therefore that those who desire any change must address themselves." And it is to the public mind that the Central Society of Education has determined upon addressing itself. Let it awaken that, enlighten that, make that sensible of the not-to-be-resisted influence of education, of the extent to which the happiness and real greatness of the nation may be increased by its agency ;— and then and only then can it hope to see some sound and comprehensive system adopted which shall impart happiness, intelligence, and a healthy moral tone to the English nation. Most heartily do we de ire the success of the Society; and here let us urge all those who have an anxious care for the future welfare of mankind, to come forward in numbers and in strength, with information and with funds to its support. From the north, from the south, from the east, and the west let them pour in and convince the government that the nation is not indifferent to the cause of education; nor let religious or political differences deter them, the Society has determined to keep aloof from all such considerations, and to follow out its one great question proposed-EDUCATION. THE ACROPOLIS. 'Tis hallow'd ground. On yonder lofty hill The ravages of time. Hoar age hath ta'en Where now the incense glowing at thy shrine Nor high-borne banners round thy temple move The olden race is run-thy walls remain Around thy marble columns richly cast. And when thou perishest, at last, shall perish all. war. MONTHLY REVIEW OF LITERATURE. HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY. Memoirs of Lucien Bonaparte; written by himself. Translated under the author's superintendence. 8vo. Vol. I. Saunders and Otley. THOSE who lived in the days of Bonaparte's prosperity, when his arms carried terror and desolation through Europe, need not be reminded of the interest and dread with which the mere mention of his name was attended, and with what eagerness every tale or anecdote connected with that gigantic being was caught up and echoed in every circle of English society during the French The sun of Napoleon has long set,-the willows are growing wild over his sea-girt tomb, but his deeds live after him and are recollected with an interest only inferior because not so dreadful or perilous as when the usurper's eyes looked from the cliffs of France on the shores of Britain,- but still with an interest which no other subject belonging to the same period can command. The Parisian press teems with works on Napoleon; and many of the best have been adopted on this side the channel, whose reception has been almost uniformly flattering to their respective authors. Much has been written, it must be acknowledged, but still the subject seems not to be exhausted. "Another and another still" we have seen; and we had nearly added, "I will see no more" when the announcement of Lucien Bonaparte's Memoirs from the bureau of Messrs. Saunders and Otley caused us to suspend our half uttered words. These memoirs are not private and family details,-they are recollections of public affairs in France commencing with the revolution, and will be found extremely valuable as furnishing materials for the history of the republic and empire. The quantity of matter in the author's possession no doubt rendered it necessary for him to exercise some judgment in selection. In few books have we ever seen the interest so well maintained. The style of the author is generally simple and very graphic; and it is only occasionally that he adopts that very artificial style so distasteful to an English mind and so characteristic of French composition. The whole narrative is so connected in all its parts, that only a very extended series of extracts would give any proper notion of the book before us; and we have not room for that analysis which might serve instead of such extracts. We leave this first volume of a most valuable and attractive work in the hands of our readers, trusting that they will not forget to read its pages with the attention that they deserve. As a mere specimen of the style, we extract two portions,—one descriptive of Paoli, the patriot of Corsica,-the other an account of Madame Bonaparte's escape from Paoli's arrest. "The village of Rostino is situated on the mountains, and composed on, of cottages and some small houses. Paoli inhabited a convent, where he lived with a noble simplicity. He had every day at his frugal but well served table several guests. Every day a numerous crowd of mountaineers waited for the moment of his going out to see and speak to him: they surrounded him with filial respect. He spoke to all like a good father; but what at first surprised me extremely, was his recollecting and calling by their names the chiefs of families whom he had not seen for above a quarter of a century. Those calls, that remembrance, produced upon our islanders a magical effect. The fine head of the noble old man, ornamented with his long white hair, his majestic figure, his mild but penetrating look, his clear and sonorous voice, all contributed to throw an inexpressible charm upon what he said. To imagine a patriarch legislator in the midst of his numerous race, I do not think that either painting or poetry could borrow more noble features than those which I contemplated for several months at Rostino. "Notwithstanding my enthusiasm, upon reflecting one day on the prodi. gious memory of Paoli, I began to question myself how it was possible. That same scene, repeated several times at each walk, and almost in the same terms, ended by inspiring me with doubts. I was as much as I could be on the side of my hero. I began by observing all the preparations for these daily walks a monk went always to the cabinet of Paoli before he walked out : I slily followed him, and I beheld him for several successive days descend into the middle of the crowd, and talk with the chiefs of those who were waiting for an audience. It appeared evident to me that the precursor monk supplied, by his confidential reports, the memory of the patron. I must own that discovery displeased me; although I observed how greatly that paternal friend rendered so many good old men happy, the shadow of a deception offended my young imagination, and cooled a little my enthusiasm. I quitted Rostino, and I returned to Ajaccio, to keep our friends in their duties. Joseph ceased to have any influence in the departmental administration. Napoleon rejoined the representatives of the people at Bastia. The opinion of Paoli influenced the whole island. On the 26th of April, 1793, Corsica renounced France." The young Bonapartes, unwilling that Corsica should be severed from republican France, sent to Marseilles to solicit the aid of the Jacobins. Madame Bonaparte seemed to Paoli a fair hostage likely to deter her sons from their enterprise. She barely escaped from arrest. "Awakened suddenly in the middle of the night, she beheld her chamber filled with armed mountaineers. She at first imagined that she was surprised by her enemies; but by the light of a torch of fir, which fell upon the countenance of the chief, she felt reassured: it was Costa of Bastelica, the most devoted of our partizans. Quick, make haste, Signora Letizia! Paoli's men are close upon you; you have not a moment to lose; but here I am with all my men. We will save you, or perish with you!' : "Bastelica is one of the most populous villages in Corsica, situated at the foot of Monte d'Oro, in the middle of a forest of chestnuts, the growth of centuries it contains inhabitants renowned for their courage and audacity, and for unbounded fidelity in their affections. One of these intrepid hunters, while traversing the chain of mountains which separates the island into two parts, had encountered a numerous troop descending towards Ajaccio. He learnt that this troop were to be introduced during the night into the town by the party of Paoli; and to carry off our family prisoners to Mostino. He had even heard it affirmed that they were to take all the children of Charles alive or dead. To return like an arrow to his village, and inform the chief of our partisans, to arm all who had a gun or a poinard, and to traverse with hasty strides the forest of Bastelica, was but the affair of a moment. After a forced march of several hours, our brave friends entered the town during the night, about three hundred in number, having only preceded our enemies by a few miles. My mother and her children arose in haste, having only time to take their clothes with them, and, placed in the centre of the column, they left the town in silence, the inhabitants being still plunged in sleep. They entered into the deepest recesses of the mountain, and, at break of day, they halted in a forest, from whence they could discover a part of the shore. Several times the fugitives heard from their encampment the troops of the enemy traverse the neighbouring valleys; but Providence deigned to spare them from an encounter that must have been fatal. On the same day the flames, arising in thick columns from the middle of the town, attracted the eyes of our friends. It is your house that is burning,' said one of them to my mother. Ah! never mind,' she replied, we will build it up again much better: Vive la France! After two nights of a march, skilfully directed, they at length perceived the sails of the French vessels. My mother took leave of her brave defenders, and rejoined her eldest sons on board the frigate of the representatives of the people. The rage of our enemies was thus reduced to expend itself upon the stones of our house." We cannot conclude this notice without alluding to the politics of the Prince of Canino. He belongs to that trimming school termed the Doctrinaires, and throughout the volume his efforts to uphold such views are strongly manifested. Library of Anecdote. Book of Table Talk. 2 Vols. fcp. 8vo. Knight. In lately reviewing a novel, from which we gave copious extracts, occasion was taken to insist on the general utility of anecdotes, as furnishing us with passages of life calculated to convey valuable information. The Percy Anecdotes-compiled as they were, not with any great attention to truth-were, there is little doubt, useful in conveying lessons respecting practical conduct. These volumes, though less systematically drawn up than the Percy Anecdotes, and therefore less conducive to moral improvement, will, we have little doubt, exercise a beneficial influence on society. At any rate, they will not fail to amuse many fire-side evenings of those families that can derive pleasure from the perusal of literary anecdotes. We have read both volumes with some attention; we know not by whom they have been drawn up-although they look like Leigh Hunt's;-but certainly the second is not got up in the same beautiful easy style as the first. In fact it smells too much of the lamp, which in a book of this nature spoils the whole. Still there is very much of highly amusing matter, which it would be ungrateful not to mention. In the jocose style we may name more particularly "Take care of your Heads." "Sir Walter Scott's Astronomy." "Anecdotes of Brunelleschi." "A Great Man in Disguise." "A Desultory Chapter on Eating." There are some good illustrations of history in these volumes, from which we shall venture to make some short extracts. SARAH, DUCHESS OF MARLBOROUGH, AND QUEEN ANNE. "The following letter was written after her own and her husband's fall at court and in the cabinet. Sarah, though an acute woman, does not appear to have discovered all the weaknesses of royalty, and the miseries of being a queen's favourite, until she had ceased to be one. It was then 'sour grapes' with her. The copy of the letter in the Coxe papers is imperfect, and we have omitted a few lines that have no particular interest. "I have most of the copies of the letters that passed through my hands of any consequence; the letters I mention to the queen, upon the 12th of June 1710, were only copies of letters from Lord Rochester, Mr. Harley, and all parties, to show the great sense they had of Lord Marlborough's services to the queen and to England, all which I hoped might contribute to move her : but I fear you will have some contempt for me when you come to my last expression in my letter of the 12th of June, after so much inhuman usage, and I do assure you that I could not have done it for any thing in the world that related only to myself; and, after what has passed, I do solemnly protest that if it were in my power I would not again be a favourite, which few will believe; and since I shall never be able to give any demonstration of that truth, I had as good say no more of it. But, as fond as people are of power, I fancy any body that had been shut up so many tedious hours as I have been, with a person that had no conversation, and yet must be treated with respect, would feel something of what I did; and be very glad, when their circumstances did not want it, to be freed from such a slavery, which must be uneasy at all times, though I do protest that upon the account of her loving me and trusting me so entirely as she did, I had a concern for her, which was more than you will easily believe. And I would have served her with the hazard of my life upon any occasion; but after she put me at liberty, by using me ill, I was very easy, and liked better that any body should have her favour than myself at the price of flattery, without which, I believe, nobody can be well with a king or queen, unless the world should come to be less corrupt, or the wiser than any I have seen since I was born; and I was so far from having |