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distinguished men.

Newton failed when he turned from the courses of the stars, and the ebb and flow of the ocean, to apocalyptic seals and vials. Bentley failed when he turned from Homer and Aristophanes to edite Paradise Lost. Inigo failed when he attempted to rival the Gothic churches of the fourteenth century. Wilkie failed when he took it into his head that the Blind Fiddler and the Rent-Day were unworthy of his powers, and challenged competition with Lawrence as a portrait-painter. Such failures should be noted for the instruction of posterity; but they detract little from the permanent reputation of those who have really done great things.

Yet one word more. It is not only on account of the intrinsic merit of Madame d'Arblay's early works that she is entitled to honourable mention. Her appearance is an important epoch in our literary history. Evelina was the first tale written by a woman, and purporting to be a picture of life and manners, that lived or deserved to live. The Female Quixote is no exception. That work has undoubtedly great merit, when considered as a wild satirical harlequinade; but, if we consider it as a picture of life and manners, we must pronounce it more absurd than any of the romances which it was designed to ridicule.

Indeed, most of the popular novels which preceded Evelina, were such as no lady would have written; and many of them were such as no lady could without confusion own that she had read. The very name of novel was held in horror among religious people. In decent families which did not profess extraordinary sanctity, there was a strong feeling against all such works. Sir Anthony Absolute, two or three years before Evelina appeared, spoke the sense of the great body of sober fathers and husbands, when he pronounced the circulating library an evergreen tree of diabolical knowledge. This feeling, on the part of the grave and reflecting, increased the evil from which it had sprung. The novelist, having little character to lose, and having few readers among serious people, took without scruple liberties. which in our generation seem almost incredible.

Miss Burney did for the English novel what Jeremy Collier did for the English drama; and she did it in a better way. She first showed that a tale might be written in which both the fashionable and the vulgar life of London might be exhibited with great force, and with broad comic humour, and which yet should not contain a single line inconsistent with rigid morality, or even with virgin delicacy. She took away the reproach which lay on a most useful and delightful species of composition. She vindicated the right of her sex to an equal share in a fair and noble province of letters. Several accomplished women have followed in

her track. At present, the novels which we owe to English ladies form no small part of the literary glory of our country. No class of works is more honourably distinguished by fine observation, by grace, by delicate wit, by pure moral feeling. Several among the successors of Madame D'Arblay have equalled her; two, we think, have surpassed her. But the fact that she has been surpassed, gives her an additional claim to our respect and gratitude; for in truth we owe to her, not only Evelina, Cecilia, and Camilla, but also Mansfield Park and the Absentee.

NOTE to the Article, in last Number, on the New Biographical Dictionary of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge.

We have been informed that in mentioning, in the above Article, the Biographical Dictionary of the late Dr Aikin, we committed a mistake in stating that it was not completed, which we now very willingly correct. We had said that it stopped with letter S, on the conclusion of its eighth volume; whereas we find that it was actually completed, and a Supplement added, by Dr Aikin;the whole extending to ten volumes, of which the two last were published in 1814 and 1815. But though a valuable, it is not by any means a universal Biography, being professedly limited to lives of eminent persons,'-a very different sort of undertaking from one that aspires to notice every individual who has done any thing either in Letters or Art, or in any line likely to attract the curiosity of mankind, whether eminent or not. Such we understand to be the object of the New Biographical Dictionary, and this gives it a vast superiority, in respect of plan, over that of Dr Aikin, and every other work of the kind that has been produced or attempted in this country.

LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS

DURING

October, November, and December 1842.

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ABERCROMBIE.-Essays and Tracts. By John Abercrombie, M.D. (Collected into 1 volume.) 18mo. (Edinburgh,) pp. 306, 4s. [1 ADCOCK'S Engineer's Pocket-Book for the Year 1843, containing Tables of Weights and Measures; SteamEngines. 12mo. with an Almanack, roan tuck, 6s. [2 ADDISON. The Temple Church. By C. G. Addison, Esq., Author of The History of the Knights Templars.' Square crown 8vo. pp. 136, with 5 plates, cloth, 5s. ADDISON. A Full and Complete Guide, Historical and Descriptive, of the Temple Church. (From Mr Addison's History of the Temple Church.') Square crown 8vo. pp. 48, sewed, Is. [4 AFFECTION'S KEEPSAKE (The) for 1843; Select Poetry. Royal 32mo. pp. 160, with frontispiece, cloth, gilt edges, 2s. 6d. [5 AINSWORTH.-The Miser's Daughter: a Tale. By William Harrison Ainsworth, Author of The Tower of London,' &c. &c. 3 vols. post 8vo. pp. 914, with 20 illustrations by Geo. Cruikshank, cloth, 31s. 6d. [6 AIRD. The Students' Self-Instructing French Grammar; consisting of Twelve Progressive Lessons. By D. M. Aird. 2d edition, revised and enlarged, square crown 8vo. pp. 76, boards, 2s. [7 ALEXANDER.-Letters on the SlaveTrade, Slavery, and Emancipation; with a Reply to Objections made to the Liberation of the Slaves in the Spanish Colonies. Addressed to Friends on the Continent of Europe, during a Visit to Spain and Portugal. By G. W. Alexander. Fep. 8vo. pp. 192, cloth, 3s. 6d. . ALLEE NEEMROO, the Buchtiaree Adventurer: a Tale of Louristan. By J. Baillie Fraser, Esq. 3 vols. post 8vo. pp. 978, boards, 31s, 6d. [9

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AMERICAN TARIFF, passed 30th August 1842, alphabetically arranged, and showing the Old and New Duties in juxtaposition, payable on all Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, imported into the United States of America. 8vo. pp. 90, sewed, 2s. 6d.

[10 AMERICAN TARIFF; or, Rates and Duties payable on Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, imported into the United States of America on and after the 30th of August 1842. By E. D. Ogden, Entry Clerk, CustomHouse, l'ort of New York. 12mo. (New York,) pp. 106, half-bound, 4s. 6d. [11 ANDERSON.-Memoir of the Chisholm, late M.P. for Inverness-shire. By the Rev. J. S. M. Anderson, M. A., Chaplain in Ordinary to the Queen, &c. 2d edition, fep. 8vo. pp. 254, with vignette and lithographic frontispiece, cloth, 5s. 6d. [12 ANDREWES.- The Devotions of Bishop Andrewes. Translated from the Greek, and arranged anew. Fep. (Oxford,) pp. 152, cloth, 2s. 6d. [13 ANGAS. A Ramble in Malta and Sicily, in the Autumn of 1841. By George French Angas. Illustrated with 14 Sketches taken on the spot, and drawn on stone by the Author. Imperial 8vo. pp. 176, with illuminated title-page, cloth, 12s. [14 ANNALS of CHYMISTRY and Practical Pharmacy. Published Weekly. 8vo. 8d.

[15 The chief aim of this work is to afford to the English Chymist a Weekly summary of the Discoveries of Continental Chymists, practically condensed, so that, whilst thoroughly explanatory to the philosopher, it will be practically useful to the Chymist and Druggist.

ANNUAL REGISTER; or, a View of the History and Politics of the Year 1841. 8vo. pp. 592, boards, 16s. [16

APPERLEY.-Nimrod Abroad.
C. J. Apperley, Esq., Author of The
Chase, the Turf, and the Road,' &c.
2 vols. post 8vo. pp. 603, cloth, 21s.

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By BAILLIE.-The Letters and Journals
of R. Baillie, A.M., Principal of the
University of Glasgow, 1637 to 1662.
Edited, from the Author's Manu-
script, by D. Laing, Esq. 3 vols.
royal 8vo. (Edinburgh, 1841-42,) pp.
1789, cloth, L.2, 8s.
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BAKEWELL.-Philosophical Conver-
sations; in which are familiarly ex-
plained the Causes of numerous daily-
occurring Natural Phenomena. By
F. C. Bakewell. 2d edition, 12mo.
pp. 324, cloth, 5s. 6d.
[27
BARBER.-Missionary Tales for Little
Listeners. By M. A. Barber. 2d
edit. 18mo. pp. 210, cloth, 2s. 6d. [28
BARKER.-The Naval Club; or Re-
miniscences of Service. By M. H.
Barker, Esq. (The Old Sailor.') 3
vols. post 8vo. pp. 954, bds. 31s. 6d.
[29
BARNES.- The Elements of English
Grammar, with a set of Questions and
Exercises. By W. Barnes, Author
of An Investigation of the Laws of
Case in Language.' 18mo. pp. 120,
bound, Is.
[30
BARNES.-Notes, Critical, Explana-
tory and Practical, on the Book of
the Prophet Isaiah. With a new
translation by Albert Barnes. 3 vols.
Svo. (Boston, U. S.,) pp. 1810, 2
maps, cloth, L.2, 2s.
[31
BEARCROFT.-Relics of the Sacred
Ministry of the late Rev. P. Bear-
croft, D.D., Master of the Charter
House, Prebendary of Ely: being
Thirteen Discourses on important and
interesting Topics of Christian In-
struction. Now first published, Fep.
8vo. pp. 178, cloth, 4s.
[32
BEATTIE. The Castles and Abbeys
of England, from the National Re-
cords, Early Chronicles, and other
Standard Authorities. By William
Beattie, M.D. Vol. 1, imperial 8vo.
with upwards of 200 engravings,
cloth, 25s.
[33
BEAVEN.-A Help to Catechising,
for the use of Clergymen, Schools,
and Private Families. By James
Beaven, M. A., Vicar of Welford. 2d
edition, 18mo. pp. 168, cloth, 2s. [34
BECK.-Elements of Medical Juris-
prudence. By T. R. Beck, M.D., and
J. B. Beck, M.D. 7th edition, 8vo.
pp. 1146, cloth, 21s.
[35
BECKER'S Omnigraph Atlas of Mo-
dern Geography, compiled from the

[17 ARCHBOLD'S Summary of the Law relative to Pleading and Evidence in Criminal Cases; with the Statutes, Precedents of Indictments, &c., and the Evidence necessary to support them. 9th edition, by J. Jervis, Esq. 12mo. pp. 800, boards, 21s. [18 ARCHBOLD.-The Poor-Law; comprising all the Authorities, to September 1842; with Forms. 2d edition, by J. F. Archbold, Esq. Barrister-at-Law. Being Vol. 3 of Archbold's Justice of the Peace. 12mo. pp. 678, bds. 18s. [19 ARISTOPHANIS AVES, ad codicum fidem recensuit, et commentario brevi critico et exegeteco instruxit F. C. Blaydes, B.A. 8vo. (Oxford,) pp. 126, cloth, 5s. [20 ARISTOPHANES.-A Literal Translation of the Clouds of Aristophanes, with Greek Text and English Notes. By C. P. Gerard. Svo. pp. 116, cloth, 5s. [21 ARNOLD. Christian Life, its Hopes, its Fears, and its Close: Sermons, preached mostly in the Chapel of Rugby School. By the late Thomas Arnold, D.D. 8vo. pp. 484, cloth, 12s. [22 ARNOLD. Christian Life, its Course, its Hindrances, and its Helps: Sermons, preached mostly in the Chapel of Rugby School. By the late Thomas Arnold, D.D. 2d edition, Svo. pp. 572, cloth, 12s. [23 ARNOLD. A Practical Introduction to Latin Prose Composition. By T. K. Arnold, M. A. Rector of Lyndon. 5th edition, 8vo. pp. 232, cloth, 6s. 6d. [24 BAGSTER.-'II Kain Dian. The New Testament consisting of the Greek Text of Scholtz, with the Readings, both Textual and Marginal, of Greisbach; and the Variations of the Editions of Stephens, 1550; Beza, 1598; and the Elzevir, 1633: with the English Authorized Version, and its Marginal Renderings. 18mo. pp. 628, cloth, 8s.

Also, an Edition in post 4to. with Margin for MS, Notes, cloth, 14s. [25

Latest and Authentic Sources, and in- | cluding all the recent Geographical and Nautical Discoveries throughout the World. 25 Maps, royal 4to. halfbound, 18s. [36 BEDFORD CORRESPONDENCE. -Correspondence of John, Fourth, Duke of Bedford: selected from the Originals at Woburn Abbey; with an introduction by Lord John Russell. Vol. 1, 8vo. pp. 654, with portrait, cloth, 18s. [37 BELFAST and its ENVIRONS, with a Tour to the Giant's Causeway. Fep. 8vo. (Dublin,) pp. 164, with a map, plan, and numerous illustrations on wood, cloth, 3s. 6d. [38 BENNET.- Remarks on Female Education. By Georgiana Bennet. 18mo. pp. 42, sewed, 1s. [39 BENTHAM.-The Works of Jeremy Bentham, now first collected, under the superintendence of his Executor, J. Bowring. Part 21, royal 8vo. (Edinburgh,) pp. 316, cloth, 9s. [40 BETHAM.Etruria-Celtica: Etruscan Literature and Antiquities Investigated; or, The Language of that Ancient and Illustrious People Compared and Identified with the IbernoCeltic, and both shown to be Phanician. By Sir William Betham, Ulster King of Arms, &c. 2 vols. 8vo. (Dublin,) pp. 712, with 21 plates, cloth, L.2, 2s. [41 BIBLIA ECCLESIE POLY GLOTTA: exhibiting, at one view, the Proper Lessons for Sundays, from the Old Testament, together with the Book of Psalms in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and English. Edited by F. Iliff, D.D. of Trinity Coll. Camb. 4to. pp. 720, (large paper, L.2, 5s, cloth) 32s. BIBLICAL CABINET (The); or, Hermeneutical, Exegetical, and Philosophical Library. Vol. 40- Calvin and Storr on the Epistles of Paul to the Philippians and Colossians. 12mo. (Edinburgh,) pp. 444, cloth, 7s. [43 BIGSBY.-The Miscellaneous Poems and Essays of Robert Bigsby, K.T.F. LL.D. F.R.S. F.S.A. Royal Svo. pp. 428, cloth, 15s. [44 BINGHAM. Narrative of the Expedition to China, from the commencement of the War to the present period; with Sketches of the Man

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ners and Customs of that singular and hitherto almost unknown Country. By Commander J. Elliott Bingham, R.N., late First Lieutenant H.M.S. Modeste,' 2 vols. post 8vo. pp. 844, with 3 illustrations, cloth, 21s. [45

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BINNS.-The Anatomy

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of the Art of procuring sound and refreshing Slumber at Will. By E. Binns, M.D., Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, &c. 12mo. with illustrations, pp. 404, cloth, 10s. 6d. [46 BIOGRAPHICAL Dictionary of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. Vol. 1, Part 2, 8vo. pp. 442-888, cloth, 12s. [47 BLACKLEY. Expository Lectures on the first Four Chapters of the Gospel according to St Matthew, with one on Chap. V. 21-26. By W. Blackley, B.A. 12mo. pp. 254, cloth, 5s. 6d. [48 BLACKWOOD'S STANDARD NOVELS.-Reginald Dalton. By the Author of Valerius.' A new edition, fep., pp. 500, with 1 plate, cloth, 6s. [49 BLUNT.-The Beauty of the Heavens; a Pictorial Display of the Astronomical Phenomena of the Universe; with a Lecture on Astromomy. By C. F. Blunt. 4to. with 104 coloured plates, cloth, 28s. [50 BLUNT'S Civil Engineer and Practical Mechanist: Treatises on Civil Engineering, Engineer Building, Machinery, Mill Work, Engine Work, Iron Foundery, &c., &c.; the Thames Tunnel and Shield, by Sir I. Brunel, Knt.; Land and Marine SteamEngines; Fifteen and Thirty-Ton Cranes and Dredging Machinery and Apparatus, by the Messrs Rennie, &c. &c. Complete. Division C, Portion the First 6 plates and book, 14s. [51 BOOK of SPORTS, British and Foreign; devoted to the Pictorial Illustration of the Pursuits of the Sportsman in every quarter of the Globe. 1843. 4to. pp. 96, with 50 plates, half-bound, 16s. [52 BORGET. Sketches of China and the Chinese, from Drawings by Auguste Borget. Folio, 32 Plates, with 11 pages of Descriptive Letter-press, half-bound morocco, L.4, 4s.

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