walked up to town, and arrived safely at the Adelphi, the ་་ on Thursday last, in a drama written by Beazley, the architect and play-writer," and called Elephant of Siam and the Firefiend!" She Is of a very dark brown wn colour, an and I certainly a most magnificent and sagacious animal; though it is not a little singular that she was formerly in the possession of Mr Cross, of elephantine notoriety, by whom she was sold for intrac tability. Skilful management has, however, made her toute au contraire, and her present docility must be seen to be believed. Her height is about eleven feet, and her weight nearly four tons. Yet notwithstanding two such very formidable obstacles to agility, she performs the whole of her part, even to her final acknowledgments to the audience, upon being called for, à la Français, after the curtain has fallen, with an ease and elegance which very many of her biped colleagues would do well to imitate. The Drury Lane manager, being too late to obtain her powerful services, for which he offered the same terms as Mr Kean's, £50 per night, has, according to GreenRoom report, a rival beast in training for his Christmas pantomime; and all the other pantomimes are, I understand, to introduce manufactured elephants, as nearly like her as possible. She was introduced by an address, admirably spoken by Yates, setting forth, in good heroic measure, how he, a wild-beast showman, was ejected from the Late Exeter Change; when, his occupation gone," he says, “I wander'd on, but did not wander far; These doors were open-as they always are... After which, puns, at the rate of about two per stanza, crowd the remainder of this zoological prologue, which concludes, "Hoping that you, your patronage will grant, - To Messieurs Mathews, Yates, and Elephant!" This was to have been spoken in the costume of a Beefeater, which, however, the Deputy-Licenser, George Colman the younger, considered far too sacred a character to be thus jested with, and accordingly issued his veto, prohibiting its degradation !!! The elephant was to have been exhibited twice a-day, but as second thoughts are best, upon thinking twice of it, this Bartholomew-Fair scheme was very wisely given up. Of the other numerous novelties now in concoction, in preparation, and in completion, I hope to write you favourably and more particularly, very speedily. Give forth from every took and limb, A light, which made all others dindo Hi Jade grid's drink sei quibusyor bades ad noiniqo wo ti brow sno. thy volce, and every tone soguonong sa no quicker-deeper in my heart, sldags I heard thy voicethy voice aloneybemos to ylon Though many with thee play'd their part piomb 'I hear its softest cadence still, oldsiasqer 6 to 1551 Like music on a summer hill. tit jeri sat 70) „4938 a ai quaqnos pal!lonta zwonka bra bom-igste esm And I did feel thy triumph then, salam bus „estui At least not such as men could see. I scorn'd to give away in sound is T Emotions which to thee I ow'd,--> 'I moius7 I will not do, as once I did,- I know too well that much is hid I had a dream like this before, dito ob ALAS! for gentle Woman, form'd so weak! Gentle, meek, powerless, fond, confiding creature, What a frail web, woven in the wind, art thou! A gossamer hung on the noontide air! Catching the tincture of each varying ray And torn and blighted by the feeblest breath!2*9 Man treads the world with proud and lordly step— A lawless, reckless libertine his will' 2nd Unchallenged, and his pleasures unreproved; crimes that all the world behold___****** Loaded well of deep deceit his soul linkdəni, vid. 1 His heart a step Clouded with every folly every vice,nado aki mon mi 1 Prey on her inmost soul, till the fair form- Becomes a wan, worn shadow of deep thought; LITERARY CHIT-CHAT AND VARIETIES. A NEW Literary Journal, of the same form and size as the London Literary Gazette, to be entitled The Chronicle of Literature and the Fine Arts, is, we understand, about to be commenced, under the superintendence of Mr Alaric Watts. It is to be of weekly recurrence, and will be devoted to English and Foreign Literature and the Fine Arts. There is nearly ready for publication, Travels to Timbuctoo and other parts of Central Africa, during the years 1824, 5, 6, 7, and 8, by René Caillié. The work will be illustrated with a view of Timbuctoo, and other plates representing the buildings of this remarkable city. The author of Richelieu has nearly ready a new work, entitled Darnley. Mr D'Israeli announces the concluding portion of his Commentaries on the Life and Reign of Charles I. A work of considerable interest to the sporting world is in preparation, under the title of Northern Sports. It will, we understand, exhibit, in an animated manner, the field diversions of the North of Europe. Mr Galt has nearly completed a novel, called Lawrie Todd, or the Settlers in the Woods. A novel, said to be of an entirely new character, under the title of Wedded Life in Upper Ranks, will shortly be published. Mr Emerson is engaged in writing a History of Greece, which will soon make its appearance. Shortly will be published, the History of Dunbar, from the earliest records to the present period, by James Millar. A new topographical Dictionary of Great Britain and Ireland is about to be published in numbers, by Mr J. Gorton, Editor of the General Biographical Dictionary. The Civil and Ecclesiastical History of England, from the Invasion of the Romans to the Passing of the Catholic Relief Bill in 1829, is announced by C. St George. A Treatise on Atmospheric Electricity, including Observations on Lightning Rods and Paragreles, by John Murray, F. S. H., &c. is in the press. A History of Danish Literature, from the Time of the introduction of the art of printing, is announced by J. Moeller. The Spirit and Manners of the Age, an able and judicious periodical, successfully conducted by Mr. S.. C. Hall, the Editor of the Amulet, is henceforward to be published under the title of the British Magazine, a Monthly Journal of Literature, Science, and Art. The Memoirs of Madame du Barri, Mistress of Louis XV. of France, forming three volumes of "Autobiography," is announced. The Life of Sir Walter Raleigh, in two volumes, is nearly ready for publication, from the pen of Mrs Thomson, the popular author of the Life of Wolsey, and Memoirs of Henry VIII. and his Times. Dr Conolly, Professor of Medicine in the University of London, is preparing for publication, an Inquiry concerning the indications of Insanity. The ninth volume of Count Segur's History of France, commencing with the reign of Louis XI., is in the press. An English Journal is about to be published at Pisa, under the title of the Ausonian, or Monthly Journal of Italian Literature. PRICE OF FOREIGN BOOKS. A paragraph upon this subject ap peared among our Varieties last week. It has since been represented to us, from a highly respectable source, that the insinuation it contained, against foreign book-importers generally, was too severe. We are informed that, by Messrs Treuttel and Wurtz, and other extensive foreign booksellers in London, the general rule is to convert franes into shillings ;-to sell a work which costs ten-francs, for example, on the Continent, for ten shillings. This does not seem an unreasonable per centage. MISS PATON'S CONCEBT.-Miss Paton gave a concert in the Assembly Rooms here on Wednesday evening She was assisted by her two sisters-Isabella and Eliza. The Rooms were extremely crowded, very few less than 1000 tickets having been sold. There were three Parts, the first consisting entirely of sacred music. The whole went off with great eclat, MISS LOUISA JARMAN.-We observe that this young lady, induced by her sister's success here, has come to Edinburgh to give lessons in singing and accompaniment, during her sister's residence here. From what we have heard of Miss Louisa Jarman's acquire. ments in these branches, we should think there is little doubt of her meeting with every encouragement. CHESS-One of the most splendid set of chess-men we ever saw, beautifully carved in the finest ivory, are at present to be seen in the shop of Messrs Constable & Co. We understand it is the intention of the owner to dispose of them speedily by raffle. They who take an interest in this noble game should not lose the chance of becoming possessed of so rare a prize. Theatrical Gossip.-For what has been going on during the last week in the theatrical world of London, we refer our readers to a previous page of this Number.--Madame Vestris performed Don Giovanni last Saturday evening, gratuitously, at Drury Lane, and has concluded an engagement to play there regularly after Christmas.-The Dublin Theatre was sold by auction a few days ago, for £13,500, being £500 above the mortgage. The mortgagee was the purchaser, and he has granted a lease of the property for seven years to Mr Bunn, at an an nual rent of £2000, instead of £5000, the sum hitherto paid.-The English company playing in Holland have been suddenly thrown into great difficulty, owing to the manager having appropriated all the receipts in discharge of rent due, after having, by liberal offers, tempted the performers to come over for the winter season. It was expected that, after four nights' performance, in aid of the poorer members, the company would be broken up.-The Ramsgate Theatre was burned down on the 1st of this month.-Macready took his be nefit here on Wednesday last. Not being in good health, he has given up some provincial engagements, and returned to his own house at Pinnerwood, in the neighbourhood of London.-Sir Walter Scott's tragedy of "The House of Aspen" is in rehearsal here, and will be brought out immediately upon the termination of Miss Smithson's engagement, Towards the end of the month, a new Christmas pantomime will be produced.-Miss Paton left this yesterday morning for Newcastle, and is to perform Lucy Bertram there this evening. She then proceeds to York, and other English towns, and will not return to London for some weeks. WEEKLY LIST OF PERFORMANCES. THE interesting paper by the Author of " Anster Fair" will appear probably in our next.-We cannot speak from personal knowledge, but, from what we gather, we should think that much benefit might be derived from an attendance on the "Soirées Françaises de Madame de Thibouville," The poem, entitled "Signs of the Times, or the Second Advent," is much too long for the Journal; it would, indeed, make a small volume.-The "Scottish Song" shall have a place in our next SLIPPERS.-We regret that the "Song" from "Chirnside" will scarcely suit us.-Our Correspondent in Stonehaven may live in hopes-We cannot find room for "A Simile for the Ladies," and "Winter Returning."-A Correspondent, who is of opinion, that, on the publication of the new edition of Rob Roy, Mr Mackay, the living representative of the Bailie, should not be forgotten, has sent us a poem addressed to that gentleman, of which the last verse is as follows: "Thy fame, dear bought and well deserved, Will lift the voice together,- พ.ศ LITERARY CRITICISM. PRICE 6d. fence, in his Introduction to the present Series. It is Tales of a Grandfather, being Stories taken from Scot-assigns for the course he has pursued. & Co. 1830; *. 12mo. SIR WALTER SCOrr has now concluded his self-imposed task of supplying the youth of this country with an accurate summary of the past events of Scottish history. Taking the work as a whole, there can be no doubt that it is a beautiful specimen of simple and interesting narrative; and that it will long continue to hold undivided possession of the public attention, as by far the best book upon the affairs of Scotland which can be put into the hands of the rising generation. In the "Prefatory Letter" to his Grandson, with which the third series commences, Sir Walter observes, that he has had a bloody and tragic tale to tell. The generation of which I am an individual," he says, "and which, having now seen the second race of their successors, must soon prepare to leave the scene, have been the first Scotsmen who appear likely to quit the stage of life, without witnessing either foreign or domestic war within their country. Our fathers beheld the civil convulsion of 1745-6, the race who preceded them saw the commotions of 1715, 1718, and the war of the Revolution in 1688-9; a third, and earlier generation, witnessed the two insurrections of Pentland-hill and Bothwell-bridge, and a fourth lived in the bloody times of the great civil war; a fifth had in memory the civil contests of James the Sixth's minority; and a sixth race carries us back to the long period when the blessings of peace were totally unknown, and the state of constant hostility between England and Scotland, was only interrupted by insecure and ill-kept truces of a very few years' endurance." This brief retrospect of the continual broils in which we have been engaged, would seem fully to justify the application of the epithet perfervidum to the ingenium Scotorum. It is pleasant, however, to think, that a period has at length arrived, when there seems little probability of the terrors of actual war being soon again renewed among us, and of which the future historian will have to record the intellectual, rather than the martial triumphs." 66 Our readers may perhaps recollect, that in reviewing the Second Series of “ Tales of a Grandfather," we took occasion to express a doubt whether Sir Walter Scott would not have been doing a greater service to his juvenile readers, had he more frequently and decidedly mingled up opinions with his bare statements of fact. We thought that, by carefully avoiding such a course, he had given to many parts of his narrative an air of frigidity, and that by contenting himself with requesting his readers to draw their own conclusions, he perhaps scarcely performed all that was expected from him as a great guide and instructor of youth. The Westminster Review afterwards stated the same objection in still fuller terms, completely coinciding with all our own sentiments upon the subject. The matter has appeared of sufficient moment to Sir Walter Scott to elicit from him an answer and de he says, "is not intended to be a controversial work. Indeed, if disputed points should be stated here as subjects' of discussion, there is no space to argue them; and all that could be brought forward would be the assertion of the author's own opinion, for which he is not entitled to claim any particular deference from his readers." The ' accuracy of the two statements contained in this last sentence we are not prepared to grant. In the first place, in a work extending to nine volumes, surely some little space might be found, if sought, not only for the statement, but even for the enforcing of opinions upon "disputed points"* and, in the second place, Sir Walter is entitled to claim' that a more than ordinary deference should be paid to his' simple assertions of opinion, being one who stands foremost in the world's eye, and who, in his single person, combines more information than could be found in mul-' titudes. But our author proceeds in these words: "Like most men of some experience in life, I entertain undoubtedly my own opinions upon the great political questions of the present and future times; but I have no desire to impress these upon my juvenile readers." This is not exactly meeting the whole of the objection. If an author chooses to keep his political opinions to himself, in so far as these are connected with the times in which he lives, no one has any right to complain; but many questions were alluded to, both by the Westminster Reviewers and ourselves, concerning which Sir Walter Scott has carefully avoided explaining his own sentiments, although they are now more to be regarded as moral problems than as political bones of contention. Is it, or is it not, the historian's duty to guard, on the one hand, the memory of the great and good of past ages from undeserved obloquy, and on the other, to hold up the conspicuously wicked to merited reprobation? If this question be answered affirmatively, will it be maintained that a mere cold statement of facts is sufficient to give a proper moral impulse to the mind of the reader? Let us, however, hear Sir Walter once more: be understood, because a friendly and indulgent critic," (al"I am more anxious that the purpose of this work should luding to the Westminster Review for April, 1829;) "whose general judgment has been but too partially pronounced in favour of the author, has in one point misunderstood my intentions. My friendly Aristarchus, for such I must call boast of having, to my utmost ability, deserved,) that my him, bas paid me the great compliment, (which I may little work contains no fault of commission; that is to say, he admits that I have not either concealed or falsified the truth of history in controverted points, which, in my opinion, would have been, especially in a work designed for the use of youth, a most unpardonable crime. But he charges me with the offence of omission, in leaving out inferences which he himself would have drawn from the same facts, and which, he seems to think, are too obvious not to be discerned, and too stubborn to be refuted. It is, on the contrary, my opinion, and has been, ever since I came to years of understanding, that in many of these points his conclusions are liable to direct challenge, and in others, to much modification. I must not, therefore, leave it to be supposed that I have deserted my banners, because I have tleman. The Advocates are possessed of a noble library, not, at this time and place, thought it necessary to un- and a valuable collection of medals. To this learned body, furl them. But I could not introduce political discussions Elizabeth, Duchess of Gordon. (by birth, a daughter of the into any elementary work designed to inspire a love of noble house of Howard, and a keen Jacobite,) sent the prestudy. In more mature years, the juvenile reader will have sent of a medal for their cabinet. It bore on the one side an opportunity of forming his own judgment upon the the head of the Chevalier de St George, with the motto, points of controversy which have disturbed our history." Cujus est? (Whom does it represent?) and on the reverse, This is ingenious, but it does not strike us as being al- the British Isles, with the legend, Reddite. (Restore them.) together sound. "Political discussions" and "points of The Dean of Faculty having presented this very intelligible controversy," are surely two very separate things; yet should be received into their collection, which was carried emblem to his brethren, a debate arose, whether or not it they seem to be used by Sir Walter as convertible terms. In such a work as the "Tales of a Grandfather," political by a majority of sixty-three to twelve, resolved on the acon in very warm language, and terminated in a vote, which, discussions were, of course, out of the question, and it is ceptance of the medal. Two advocates were deputed to exnot the want of these that is complained of. It is the press, in the name of the learned body, their thanks to the want of a more distinct tone from beginning to end, the Duchess; and they failed not to do it in a manner expresscareful avoiding of all "controverted points," and the de- ing pointedly their full comprehension of the import of her termination to show no leaning whatever to one party hope, that her Grace would soon have a farther opportu Grace's compliment. They concluded, by stating their or other, wherever any doubts might be entertained as to nity to oblige the Faculty, by presenting them with a sewhich was in the right. The consequence is, that as the cond medal on the subject of a restoration. But when the author never leads us to suppose that he himself thinks proceeding became public, the Advocates seem to have been at all about the matter, the youthful reader does not alarmed for the consequences, and, at a general meeting of deem it necessary to think either; and knowledge is the Faculty (27th July, 1711,) the medal was formally retherefore put into him as machinery is put into a clock-fused, and placed in the hands of the Lord Advocate, to be case, without exercising one intellectual faculty, or exrestored to the Duchess of Gordon. The retractation, howciting one heartfelt emotion. This is, no doubt, better than portant public body, the commentators on the laws of Scotever, could not efface the evidence, that this learned and imnothing; but it is not enough. A Grandfather like Sir land, from whom the guardians of her jurisprudence are Walter Scott should have done more. There can be no selected, had shown such boldness as to give a public mark doubt, that had Sir Walter made it a rule to state his of adherence to the Chevalier de St George." own opinions when the occasion required it, they might occasionally have been erroneous, but there is certainly every reason to believe that they would have much more frequently been correct. What does he think of Mary, Queen of Scots ?what does he think of John Knox?what does he think of the Covenanters? These, and in numerable other points, he has left in complete doubt. Why? because his opinions might be controverted. True; but they could only be controverted by an authority of equal weight, and where shall we find such in the present day? Is it not, then, much to be regretted that Sir Walter has been so scrupulously cautious? Why has he not added a treble value to his facts, by drawing from them inferences? The Third Series of the "Tales" relates almost exclusively to the two rebellions of fifteen and forty-five. The first volume, and a part of the second, are not quite so interesting as the remainder of the work, because the materials afforded for history by those who took up arms for the Chevalier de St George, are by no means so spiritstirring as those supplied by the more gallant and vigorous career of Prince Charles Edward. Sir Walter, how ever, has gone through the whole in that easy and flowing style of narrative for which he is so remarkable, and although he does not write with the same enthusiasm, or avowed Jacobite spirit, as Chambers, (to whose Histories he pays a deserved compliment,) he may, nevertheless, be read with almost undiminished interest, even after the recent productions of the other. Any lengthened analysis of his narrative is, of course, out of the question here. We prefer selecting one or two detached passages, which will be read with interest, and which, as the work itself is not to be published till the 21st, have not yet made their appearance anywhere else. At the commencement of the eighteenth century, politics ran very high in Edinburgh between the partizans of Queen Anne and those of the house of Stewart. Of this the following anecdote is an amusing illustration; THE FACULTY OF ADVOCATES AND THE DUCHESS OF GORDON. "The Faculty of Advocates in Scotland, that is to say, the incorporated society of lawyers entitled to practise at the bar, are a body even of more weight and consequence than is attached to them in most countries from the nature of their profession. In the beginning of the 18th century, especially, the Faculty comprehended almost all the sons of good family who did not embrace the army as their choice; for the sword or gown, according to the ideas of that time, were the only occupations which could be adopted by a gen Shortly after the insurrection of fifteen broke out, a lamentable event happened in East Lothian, which Sir Walter details in these words: CATASTROPHE IN THE FAMILY OF HEPBURN OF KEITH. that of Mr Hepburn of Keith was devotedly attached to "Among other families of distinction in East Lothian, the interests of the House of Stewart, and he determined He had several sons, with whom, and his servants, he had to exert himself to the utmost in the approaching conflict. determined to join a troop to be raised in East Lothian, and commanded by the Earl of Winton. This gentleman being much respected in the county, it was deemed of importance to prevent his showing an example which was likely to be generally followed. For this purpose, Mr Hepburn of the Laird of Keith under arrest, and proceeded towards his Humbie, and Dr Sinclair of Hermandston, resolved to lay house with a party of the horse-militia, ou the morning of the 8th October, 1715, which happened to be the very morn ing that Keith had appointed to set forth on his campaign, having made all preparations on the preceding evening. The when it was observed that one of the young ladies looked family had assembled for the last time at the breakfast-table, more sad and disconsolate, than even the departure of her father and brothers upon a distant and precarious expedition seemed to warrant at that period, when the fair sex were as enthusiastic in politics as the men. "Miss Hepburn was easily induced to tell the cause of her fears. She had dreamed she saw her youngest brother, a youth of great hopes, and generally esteemed, shot by a man stretched dead on the floor of the room in which they were whose features were impressed on her recollection, and now assembled. The females of the family listened and argued the men laughed, and turned the visionary into ridicale. The horses were saddled, and led out into the court. yard, when a mounted party was discovered advancing along the flat ground, in front, of the mansion-house, called the Plain of Keith. The gate was shut; and when Dr Sinhis purpose, and was asked for his warrant, he handed in at clair, who was most active in the matter, had announced a window the commission of the Marquis of Tweeddale, Lord Lieutenant of the county. This Keith returned with contempt, and announced that he would stand on his defence, The party within mounted their horses, and sallied ging a pistol in the air, charged the Doctor sword in hand; out, determined to make their way; and Keith, dischar the militia then fired, and the youngest of the Hepburns from the windows, and to the end of her life persisted that was killed on the spot. The sister beheld the catastrophe the homicide had the features of the person whom she saw in her dream. The corpse was carried into the room where they had so lately breakfasted, and Keith, after having paid this heavy tax to the demon of civil war, rode off with the rest of his party to join the insurgents. Dr Sinclair was censured very generally, for letting his party zeal hurry him into a personal encounter with so near a neighbour and familiar friend; he vindicated himself, by asserting that his intentions were to save Keith from the consequences into which his rash zeal for the Stewart family was about to precipitate that gentleman and his family. But Dr Sinclair ought to have been prepared to expect, that a high-spirited man, with arms in his hands, was certain to resist this violent inode of opening his eyes to the rashness of his conduct; and he who attempts to make either religious or political converts by compulsion, must be charged with the consequences of such violence as is most likely to ensue." → Upon a subject of peculiar interest to the Scottish reader, we meet with the following interesting passage: Each of the volumes is, as formerly, embellished with a frontispiece and vignette. The frontispieces are: The Chevalier de St George, John Campbell Duke of Ar The subjects of the viggyle, and Cameron of Lochiel. nettes are:-The execution of Lords Derwentwater and Kenmure; the death of Clan Ranald at the Battle of | Sheriffmuir; and a small, but spirited and interesting, portrait of Flora Macdonald. The only other matter worth mentioning is, that in reading the work, we felt a considerable want of dates. They might be multiplied with advantage in a new edition. "The origin of the Porteous Mob continued long to exercise the curiosity of those by whom the event was remembered, and from the extraordinary mixture of prudence and candacity with which the purpose of the multitude had been conceived and executed, as well as the impenetrable secrecy with which the enterprise was carried through, the public were much inclined to suspect that there had been among its actors men of rank and character, far superior to that belonging to the multitude who were the ostensible agents. Broken and imperfect stories were told of men in the disguise of women, and of common artizans, whose manner betrayed a sex and manners different from what their garb announced. Others laughed at these as unauthorized exaggerations, and contended that no class were so likely to frame or execute the plan for the murder of the police officer, as the populace to whom his official proceedings had rendered him obnoxious, and that the secrecy so wonderfully preserved on the occasion arose out of the constancy and fidelity which the Scottish people observe towards each other when engaged in a common cause. Nothing is, or probably ever will be, known with certainty on the subject; but it is understood, that several young men left Scotland in apprehension of the strict scrutiny which was made into that night's proceedings; and in your Grandfather's younger days, the voice of fame pointed out individuals, who, long absent from that country, had returned from the East and West Indies in improved circumstances, as persons who had fled abroad on account of the Porteous Mob. One story of the origin of the conspiracy was stated to me with so much authority, and seemed in itself so simple and satisfactory, that although the degree of proof, upon investigation, fell far short of what was necessary as full evidence, I cannot help considering it as the most probable account of the mysterious affair. A man, who long bore an excellent character, and filled a place of some trust as forester and carpenter to a gentleman of fortune in Fife, was affirmed to have made a confession on his death-bed, that he had been not only one of the actors in the hanging of Porteous, but one of the secret few by whom the deed was schemed and set on foot. Twelve persons of the village of Path-head-so this man's narrative was said to proceed-resolved that Porteous should die, to atone for the life of Wilson, with whom many of them had been connected by the ties of friendship and joint adventure in illicit trade, and for the death of those shot at the execution. This vengeful band crossed the Forth by different ferries, and met together at a solitary place near the city, where they distributed the party which were to act in the business which they had in hand; and giving a beginning to the enterprise, soon saw it undertaken by the populace of the city, whose minds were precisely in that state of irritability which disposed them to follow the example of a few desperate men. According to this account, most of the original devisers of the scheme fled to foreign parts, the surprise of the usual authorities having occasioned some days to pass over ere the investigations of the affair were commenced. On making enquiry of the surviving family of this old man, they were found disposed to treat the rumoured confession as a fiction, and to allege that although he was of an age which seemed to support the story, and had gone abroad shortly after the Porteous Mob, yet he had never acknowledged any accession to it, but, on the contrary, maintained his innocence, when taxed, as he sometimes was, with having a concern in the affair. The report, however, though probably untrue in many of its circumstances, yet seems to give a very probable account of the origin of the riot in the vindictive purpose of a few resolute men, whose example was quickly followed by the multitude, already in a state of mind to catch fire from the slightest spark,' We cannot afford room at present for more extracts. Elements of Practical Chemistry, comprising a series of Experiments in every department of Chemistry, with directions for performing them, &c. By David Boswell Reid, Experimental Assistant to Dr Hope, Conductor of the Classes of Practical Chemistry in the Edinburgh University, Lecturer on Chemistry to the Leith Mechanics' Institution, &c. Edinburgh. Maclachlan and Stewart. 8vo. Pp. 511. MR REID is already known to the public as the author of a work entitled, "Academical Examinations on Chemistry," which is a very excellent conversational introduction to the principles of that science. Thomson, Murray, Henry, and Turner, have presented us with elementary works on chemistry, which have been deservedly referred to as standard authorities, and the study of either of their valuable compendiums may undoubtedly introduce the student to the general doctrines of this important and difficult science; but there can be no doubt that, to obtain a competent and precise knowledge of its numerous facts and various and extensive applications, he must frequent the chemical laboratory, he must there examine the substances which he proposes to analyse, he must there become familiarized with their properties, and, by experimenting himself, acquire a knowledge of those complicated theories of chemical action which are, by mere reading, difficult to understand or recollect. We might as reasonably, indeed, expect a man to become a good anatomist from reading alone, without witnessing a single anatomical demonstration, as that he should suc ceed in acquiring a precise knowledge of chemistry without witnessing and conducting its several important processes and operations. Mr Reid, therefore, judiciously chooses as his motto the appropriate remark of Bacon"Nec manus nuda, nec intellectus sibi permissus, multum valet; instrumentis et auxiliis res perficitur; quibus opus est, non minus ad intellectum, quam ad manum." The science of chemistry has, within the few last years, made rapid and signal progress; and we think we are warranted in saying, that there is perhaps not a university in Europe in which its principles are more clearly explained, or more successfully illustrated, than in the University of Edinburgh. Mr Reid, having devoted himself almost exclusively to the cultivation of this science, has, by his talents and industry, well qualified himself to superintend the various chemical and pharmaceutical operations which it is the object of every practical course of chemistry to exhibit and explain. The methods of obtaining the different gases, acids, alkalis, metallic substances, &c.,—the result of their various combinations with each other, and their decompositions, the analysis of animal and vegetable substances,—the use of the blow-pipe and tube apparatus,--and, indeed, every department of chemical science, is so connected with different professions, arts, and manufactures, that the study of chemistry is of the highest consequence to a very great number in society, whose business it is to contribute to the comforts and necessities of daily life. Chemistry may be said to constitute, in a great measure, one of the principal cornerstones of medical science. By its aid only, are we enabled to prepare the various medicinal substances that combat and frequently arrest the progress of disease; by its assistance only, have we it in our power to detect, |