derable portion of information. It is not well-written. This is no great matter, since the attention is always so strongly excited to the rapid succession of curious facts with which the book abounds, that we care but little for the manner in which they are narrated. These gentlemen, Messrs. Smith and Lowe, have passed over regions of vast fertility, and of inexhaustible resources.

A Home Tour through the Manufacturing Districts in England in the Summer of 1833. By Sir GEORGE HEAD, Author of "Forest Scenes," and "Incidents in the Wilds of North America."

Englishmen are, we think, somewhat over eager to read of the impression that we, our institutions, and our various manufactures, make upon foreigners; persons whose observation must be as limited as their remarks are superficial. We peruse these works with the idea of seeking amusement only, and with something of the pleasant curiosity with which we should remark what sensation a watch made upon a barbarian, who cast his eyes upon its mechanism for the first time. The volume before us is one of a totally different description: it is useful, authentic, instructive, and amusing also. These travels at home should be generally read. Of the vast mass of population of the manufacturing districts, that are continually fermenting, as it were, by its very density, into wealth, over-production, and crime, leaving as its dregs wretchedness and untold misery, how little is actually known by the scholar or the gentleman! Much of this necessary information may be collected from this work. In it will be found important information connected with Liverpool, Scarborough, Whitby, Sunderland, Newcastle, and many other remarkable places.

An Historical and Descriptive Account of China, its Ancient and Modern History, Literature, Religion, Government, Industry, &c. &c. By HUGH MURRAY, F.R.S., JOHN CRAWFORD, Esq., Peter GorDON, Esq., Captain THOMAS LYNN, WILLIAM WALLACE, F.R.S., and GILBERT BURNET, ESQ.

This complete and excellently arranged history of China is now finished, The third and last volume having been published, forming No. 20, in the Edinburgh Cabinet Library. This volume gives a geographical description of the Chinese provinces, a view of the China trade, with parts of which we do not exactly coincide, an account of the navigation to Canton by different routes, the advancement of the Chinese in mathematics and astronomy, with their little true knowledge on these subjects. It then proceeds to treat of the geology and mineralogy of this vast empire, and gives us an abstract of its botany. On the zoological productions there are several good notices, but they are not very ample. Passing events make this work of great present interest, and that, together with its intrinsic worth, should give it a passport into every library. The ability that has been employed upon it ought, of itself, to insure success. Whatever may be the future fate of this immense aggregation of population, the present crisis of Chinese affairs is most interesting, and of great importance to this country. For a person at all educated, not to have a general knowledge of the celestial empire must now be, in some manner, a reproach. That knowledge, we think, may be most speedily and satisfactorily obtained by an attentive perusal of this full but not too voluminous history.

On Perforation and Division of Permanent Stricture of the Urethra, by the Lancetted Stilettes; with Observations on the Nature and Treatment of Spasmodic Stricture, and various other Urethral Affections. By R. A. STAFFORD, Surgeon to the St. Marylebone Infirmary, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, Fellow of the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society, and formerly House-Surgeon to St. Bartholomew's Hospital. Third edition.

This is a work of great merit and originality, and pointing out an effectual remedy for one of the most distressing complaints that can afflict the patient or perplex his professional adviser. It supplies an important desideratum in surgical practice: and the favourable reception it has met with is satisfactorily evinced by the third edition now before us. Mr. Stafford's method is stated in a clear, simple, and rational manner, and so divested of technical phrases, as to be perfectly intelligible to the nonprofessional reader, and is followed by a series of Cases, which amply confirm the success of his practice. The contrivance which he substitutes for the armed bougie is bold and ingenious, but such as has been found, by experience, to be of the greatest utility; a fact which is abundantly proved by the gradual adoption and recommendation of the author's system among his professional brethren. But it does not come within our province to write a formal review on works of this class and department; we can only express our hearty concurrence in the flattering testimony already pronounced on Mr. Stafford's work by those who are most competent to appreciate its merits. We may add, however, that from facts within our own personal knowledge we are perfectly convinced of the safety, skill, and dexterity, with which Mr. Stafford employs his instruments, and of the great and permanent relief resulting from his practice. The cases by which the author has illustrated his peculiar treatment amount to seventy-five, most of them exceedingly interesting, and producing a mass of evidence of the greatest possible weight in establishing the superiority of the new system.

Narrative of the Arctic Land Expedition to the Mouth of the Great Fish River, and along the Shores of the Arctic Ocean. By Captain BACK, R.N., Commander of the Expedition. Illustrated by a Map and Plates.

This work is another noble trophy of British intrepidity, and another instance of that inexhaustible resource that seems peculiar to our national character. The motive that gave rise to this expedition was highly generous and philanthropic. We supposed, from his long absence, that, at least, Sir John Ross and his gallant associates had lost their way, probably their lives also, among the eternal snows that accumulate in the polar latitudes. Captain Back made this hazardous overland expedition to relieve them if living, to ascertain if perished. The principal motive was philanthropy, the next science. He met in this country with the most generous assistance, and every aid from an enlightened government. He proceeded to New York, and there found from the Americans that assistance and goodwill that prove, where prejudice does not warp him, that our Brother Jonathan is our brother still. From the Hudson's Bay Company he also found every co-operation, and the end of the first summer found him located in a building of his own erection, near the source of the grear river, down which he was to wade the next season to the

Arctic ocean. Here he learnt that Ross had safely arrived in England: the expedition now had entirely changed its character,-it was simply an exploring one, and, consequently, life was no longer to be risked imprudently. Having embarked in a canoe on the river Thlew-ee-choh, after incredible hardships, and dangers the most imminent, at the latter end of August they reached an inlet of the ocean; but every attempt to get westward, owing to the accumulation of ice, proved abortive. Of course, Captain Back and his brave companions were obliged to retrace their steps. Geographically considered, this expedition is productive only, notwithstanding the sagacity and the science of its leader, of an accurate knowledge of the River Thlew-ee-choh, the captain being undoubtedly the first who ever navigated it. We have also obtained a little further knowledge of the various vegetable and zoological productions of these inhospitable regions, and almost a certainty that a water communication between one ocean and the other does not exist, or existing, will never be practicable. Science, and Captain Back's country, are grateful for his exertions, and he will find his reward in the fame that his courage and indefatigability have procured him.

A History of British Fishes. By WILLIAM YARREL, F.L.S. Illustrated by upwards of Four Hundred Wood-cuts, including numerous Vignettes.

The fifteenth number has now made its appearance, and treats, principally, of eels. This work is well conducted. We have but the choice of repeating our former commendations or of being silent. However, we shall take the liberty of making one remark, which, we doubt not, will be taken in good part by Mr. Yarrel; it is, that he should never omit giving the average size of his specimens in feet and inches. The wood-cuts will not convey this information; for a minnow occupies as much space of paper for its representation as the largest fish. Now we were very desirous of knowing the usual size of the common remora, but neither the plate or the letter-press conveys the information. It would be so easy to say among the generic (characters, or at the end of them-average size, length, &c., breadth, &c.

Historical Conversations for Young Persons, containing, 1st, The History of Malta and the Knights of St. John: 2nd, The History of Poland. By Mrs. MARKHAM, Author of the "Histories of England and France."

These are judiciously abbreviated histories, narrated in conversations. We think them well adapted to make an impression on youth, and therefore valuable in the school-room. The time spent in these compilations, we trust, will prove to be as profitably employed for Mrs. Markham, as it is likely to be to the rising generation of both sexes. It is, considering the quantity of matter that it contains, by no means a dear volume.

The Manse Gardener. By a Clergyman.

A very good work this; the production of one tutored by that best of instructors, experience. To those inhabiting the northern districts of the empire, this work must be eminently acceptable, nor ought it to be overlooked entirely by the Southern.

The Greek Pastoral Poets, Theocritus, Bion, and Moschus; done into English, by M. J. CHAPMAN, M.A., of Trinity College, Cambridge. "Done into English:"-we like the phrase; it is in the old English style, and smacks of the ripe good scholar. We assure the reader that it is well done, and savours nothing whatever of pedantry. The idyls have a fresh and rural air about them; they are redolent of the sheepfold, and have sometimes a healthy coarseness about them, that is (and here the cockneyism is well applied) "quite refreshing." These pastorals, though extremely simple, are never meagre, and have about them much of what may be truly termed, striking humour. They are of that natural staple, that in reading them, they seem applicable to any country situated in the temperate zone, and putting aside the mythology inapplicable to the present age, and substituting for the asseveration, "By Pan," for "By Goles," and the names, Daphne and Chloe, for Giles and Molly, these rustic pieces would do as well for Zomerzetshire as for the meadows of Greece. The perusal of the notes must not be omitted, as they evince sound discrimination and most extensive reading. This is precisely a work fitted for a library, and, we trust, that no good library will be henceforward without it.

A Code of Universal Signals, adapted to the Use of all Nations; in which are included Night Signals, Pilot Signals, Boat Signals, and a Semaphore, with a Plan for Secret Signals, and a Cypher. By H. CRANMER PHILLIPS, R.N. Second edition.

As we suppose that none but nautical folks will purchase this work, it is a duty incumbent upon us to recommend it as far as we can, being certainly an improvement upon all the other systems, the last and the best work of the kind. Signals, especially such as are designed to be universal, should, when once established, never be altered, or only altered with the greatest circumspection, as every deviation from the first plan must be attended with great confusion. We think, that there should be a deputation from every civilized nation, to meet at some central point and arrange a universal code of signals. Could such be effected, we think, that no better basis than Mr. Phillips' work could be taken on which to ground their proceedings.

The Cheltenham Looker-on.

We have received a series of the numbers of this clever little periodical, the reputation of which ought to be more than local. It is extremely well conducted, and Cheltenham ought to be proud of having so good a thing produced for itself exclusively, and should patronize it accordingly.

Progressive Exercises in Writing German. KLAuer.

To those who have never practised writing the German characters, it would appear, at first sight, to require much time and attention to obtain this necessary qualification to a traveller. Such is not, however, the case; in a very short period the German writing becomes as simple as the English. We have known it accomplished in very few days. The

work before us is very excellent, and has the advantage of teaching the language at the same time that the tyro practices the characters of manuscript writing. We must however say, that we do wish the Germans would abandon their peculiar alphabets, and join with the rest of the continental nations in the Roman text. They have already commenced it, we know, as we have in our possession some German works printed in Roman types; but an outcry has been raised against them as an innovation. We think it an improvement, and trust that soon there will be no occasion for such a work, good as it is, as now lies on our table.

The Pilgrim, Memory, and other Poems.

There is a great deal of good poetry continually published, yet very coldly received by the public. This coolness, we apprehend, arises from the great quantity of indifferent verse with which the really good is swamped. Even young ladies, just from boarding-school, ending the last sentimental novel, no longer exclaim with a sigh, and a look half rapture, "I love poetry." The Muse's paper is at a dreadful discount. Indeed, we fear, that just now, she must draw on posterity, for the present generation will not accept her paper without there be upon it such names as Campbell or Moore. This being the case, we argue but despondingly of the success of these really pretty and well-written poems. They possess no extraordinary merit, it is true, but they are far removed from mediocrity. Even the Blasé may read them without feelings approaching to inanition. The longest, the Pilgrim, is smooth in versification and elegant in language, and all the others are such, that many would have wished to have written, and few will repent of having read them.

The Library of Fiction; or, the Family Story Teller, consisting of Tales, Essays, and Sketches of Character, Original and Selected. Part the second of this amusing periodical, is quite equal to the first very meritorious part. It consists of a humorous account of "Some passages in the Life of Francis Loosefish, Esq.," an original tale by the editor, and a humorous one in the bargain. The other original tale, "The Landlord of Royston," is good, but not equal in its powers of affording amusement, to Mr. Loosefish. We think that it would be an improvement of this periodical, were all the articles original. "A twice told tale, vexing the ear." SHAKSPEARE, verb. sat.

The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, containing a Faithful Record of the Perambulations, Perils, Travels, and Adventures, of the Corresponding Members. Edited by Boz. With Four Illustrations by SEYmour.

This, like the publication above, also goes on well. The Stroller's tale is as true to the life as it is melancholy. The dying Stroller has been well illustrated by Seymour. This number tells us it was his last-that he was employed upon it when the fatal mania overtook him. It is a heartrending subject, that engraving, and too exciting for the sensitive and over-wrought nerves of misery. Might it not have been the one drop of bitterness that made the poor artist's cup of anguish overflow, and thus