that of the North;' and other associations, we may add, the tenacious love of the old Lombardic forms of art especially, contributed to the modification. Perhaps it would be correct to say, if we may speak in a figure, that Gothic did not take root on the Italian soil, that it was only a graft on the Lombard stock, and that, ere it yielded its proper fruit, the revival of classic art smothered and killed it. * *

"But I must terminate these notices of art by simply observing that the mediæval sculptures in Verona and Padua, with a few exceptions, are unequal to the mediæval architecture and painting, that the staining of windows was little practised, and that the manufacture of sepulchral brasses was not included among the Italian branches of art. Before, however, we entirely leave these notices, it may be observed that many specimens of medieval art in Italy and elsewhere have a theological as well as an aesthetic interest, forming as they do, especially in their pictorial and sculptured forms, so many popular expositions of the religious sentiments of the age. In the carved repre sentations of the Almighty, for example, we may observe how much of anthropomorphism there must have been in the mediæval Church. From paintings portraying the glorified Christ with a stern countenance, and the Virgin with a compassionate expression, and in an intercessory attitude, we must conclude that the Mother had taken the mediatorial place of the Son, while the idea of justice in the divine nature had sunk into that of vengeance, to the extinguishment of love. And again, from pictures and sculptures of the Last Judgment, we may gather how gross were the conceptions of that awful event, and of the destinies dependent on the final divine decision."

Cheshire its Historical and Literary Associations, illustrated in a series of Biographical Sketches. By T. Worthington Barlow, Esq. F.L.S. and of the Hon. Society of Gray's Inn. 8vo. pp. 196.This work consists of biographies of the worthies of Cheshire, written in an easy familiar style, but without much show of research or novelty of information. The anthor has not attempted any classification or other arrangement, but characters of all descriptions and of every period occur in an apparently fortuitous succession, unless perhaps such as arises from propinquity of local association. The last forty pages are occupied by a reprint of Burghall's "Providence Improved," a series of personal anecdotes written by the Puritan vicar of Acton, from 1628 to 1663, of what

he deemed the special judgments and mercies of Divine Providence. It has been once printed before, at the end of a Chester edition of King's Vale Royal, now rarely to be met with; and it contains full details of some of the transactions of the Civil War.

The Cheshire and Lancashire Historical Collector. Edited by T. Worthington Barlow. Nos. 1-7. 8vo.-This is a periodical sheet, commencing in April last, and issued at first monthly, and subsequently fortnightly, in order to form a receptacle for "waifs and strays" relative to the counties above-named. The principal contents of the numbers before us are, Brief Notes of the Tower of Liverpool, by James Stonehouse; Contributions to the history of Wilmslow, written by Mr. Samuel Finney about the year 1785; and a history of his own family, by the same gentleman; each continued through several numbers. There are a few shorter articles, and other " scraps of information," gathered mostly from printed books. The Editor's bibliographical list of books relating to the two counties appears to us almost useless, from want of arrangement, at least until a second catalogue or index of reference is supplied. Such a catalogue should always be raisonnée. Mr. Barlow seems to have some things yet to learn as an antiquary in the matter of arrangement, and also in accurate revision of the press, in order to avoid the misprints he has such frequent occasion to lament.

Memoir of Dr. Charles Webster, with an account of Dr. Alexander Webster. By Grace Webster.-This work will prove a trial, if not of faith, of patience. It is, as a biography, intricate and perplexed to the last degree. It gives scarcely any connected account of the lives of the two good men whose names are put forward on the title page, while the reader is entertained with numerous unimportant and trivial anecdotes of individuals very remotely indeed connected with them. We have no doubt of the noble and christian spirit of the two Dr. Websters, and as little can we question the affectionate desire of the writer to do justice to their worth; nevertheless, we are compelled to say, it is a literary failure, and, as such, only adds to the number of regrettable works, since, so far from carrying the reader's sympathies with it, it raises up an antagonism always to be deprecated.

Histoire des Protestants en France, par G. de Felice. 8vo. pp. vii. 655.— The History of the Protestants in France.

(English Translation of the same.) Post 8vo. 2 vols.-This work was begun some years ago, with the intention of being more extensive; but the time (the author wrote in 1850), with its uncertainties and apprehensions, being unfavourable to long works, the author compressed the subject within its present limits. This change of plan, if it saved some trouble, is attended with inconveniences, particularly in the frequent omission of references. Those, too, which are given are often vague, as when "un historien" (p. 282) is quoted without being named. There is an assertion at p. 6 which we have tried in vain to authenticate, that the "Hundred grievances" of the Diet of Nuremberg, in 1523, were signed by the Papal legate. He may have attested the genuineness of the copy transmitted, but this is only our supposition. At p. 570, it is said that Napoleon acknowledged the Concordat of 1801 to have been the greatest fault of his reign. This is stated by more than one writer, but he thought fit to disavow it at St. Helena (Montholon, ii. 377), when, however, his object was to justify all that he had done. Sometimes the style of M. Felice is so elliptical as to become obscure. Nor is his language always accurate; for when it is said that Rabaut-Saint-Etienne "peint sous une forme dramatique les souffrances des Protestants Français" (p. 556), the English reader would hardly suppose that the work in question is a tale. It should have been said that the writer graphically depicted their sufferings, which is just the fact. In other respects the story exhibits the same bad taste, in the choice of incidents, as disfigures some of the writings of Chateaubriand.

We must not, however, be hypercritical, and therefore hasten to "turn the medal," and to say that, with some exceptions, the present work is one of the highest importance. It is finely written; the contents are of stirring interest, and persons must be well read on the subject already, if they are not often informed by it. If it be less minute than Mr. Browning's "Huguenots," it is more animated, and the two will advantageously be read in connection. The author is not deficient in candour; on the contrary, he is far from drawing a merely flattering picture. The sale of nearly 5,000 copies in two years, in a nation not addicted to works of a pensive character, and during the excitement of political changes, affixes the value of high approval to the original. There is, indeed, an affected silence on some theological points, which has rather told against it in this country, and which

the author should have abstained from announcing, for of all kinds of silence the loud (if we may so speak) is the most offensive. The reader, therefore, must consider it purely as an historical work, and as such it deserves a wide circulation. If a motto were prefixed, this would have served; "Il y a du sang sur chaque nouvelle page du Protestantisme Français" (p. 457). We have abstained from extracts, or they might have been numerous. But even historians may learn something from the striking way in which retribution, though tardy, is implied by the narrative, when the persecutions of the French Protestants became models for those in after times. For instance, "La Sorbonne de 1529, avait donné à la commune de Paris de 1793, le lâche exemple d'étouffer sur l'échafaud les paroles sacrées des mourants (p. 34). The translator has added a few notes, and has been favoured by the author with a supplementary chapter of 18 pages. His task is generally well performed, but there is a passage at p. 269, vol. i. where we think he misses the exact meaning. "The king himself (Henri IV.), whose soul was steeped in pleasures, according to the appropriate expression of a cotemporary." The original is, "Le roi lui-même, dont l'âme s'était detrempée dans les plaisirs, selon l'energique expression d'un contemporain" (p. 259). Energique means more than appropriate, and we suspect that the old writer meant to say, that Henry's mind was unnerved by pleasures, though the words will bear either sense. In speaking of Abbadie, the words, "doyen de la paroisse de Killalow en Irlande "' (p. 477), are rendered "Incumbent of Killaloe, in Ireland" (ii. 141). The fact is, that Abbadie was dean of Killaloe, in the proper sense of the word. Sometimes the demonstrative article is improperly omitted, as Abbé du Chayla and Baron de Breteuil. If the author means to include the chymist Lemery among those refugees who died abroad (p. 471), he is wrong; and Lemery can scarcely be called one, on account of his short absence from France. But these are petty blemishes, which will not interfere with the interest felt by readers, and which a stroke of the pen may remove in the next edition.

The Lives and Opinions of eminent Philosophers, by Diogenes Laertius. Translated by C. D. Yonge, B.A. Post 8vo. pp. 488. (Bohn's Classical Library). We cannot offer a juster character of this work than that which is given by Harles. "Diogenes Laertius

.. confecit opus utilissimum, in quo

de vitâ, placitis et acutè dictis clarorum philosophorum libr. x. plura egregiè disputavit de veteribus philosophis, nobisque innumera veterum scriptorum hodie deperditorum loca servavit. At tamen haud negarunt VV. DD. eum plus studii adhibuisse in congerendo, quam judicii vel in deligendo vel in digerendo, multasque fabulas repetiisse: nec ejus scribendi genus omnino placet viris eruditis." (Bib. Græca, p. 423-4.) As might be expected, it is the storehouse of writers on the subject of philosophy and philosophers. Stanley, in his elaborate "History of Philosophy," has introduced all the valuable information contained in Diogenes, and generally follows the text. Tennemann also refers distinctly to this Collection among the "Sources de l'Histoire de la Philosophie Grecque." (Cousin's Translation, i. 82.)

Mr. Yonge has followed the text of Huebner (Leipsic, 1828). The Notes, though not numerous, are pertinent. He does not dissemble, from over-partiality, the faults of his author, whose work is considered by some critics to be merely a mutilated abridgment of the original. As the Treatise on the Lives and Manners of the Philosophers in the thirteenth century, by Breslæus, contains many other anecdotes and sayings, apparently quoted from Diogenes, Schneider supposes that he had a completer copy than any that has reached us. The entire tenth book is devoted to Epicurus, whence it is surmised that the writer belonged to that school, but as Tennemann considers "sans motifs suffisans." (p. 245.) This portion of the work has been separately edited by Nürnberger (1791), and commented upon by Gassendi. The tenets of Epicurus have exposed him to the charge of atheism, but Tenneman observes, "il est plus exact de reconnaître en lui un théiste inconséquent." (p. 207.) Cicero says, that some considered Epicurum, ne in offensionem Atheniensium caderet, verbis reliquisse deos, re sustulisse." (De Natura Deorum, i. 30.) Brucker in his "Miscellanea," 1748, p. 201-4, offers a conjecture, that the apocryphal "Wisdom of Solomon" was partly directed against the Epicureans. Montesquieu reckons that sect among the causes of the corruption of the Romans. (Grandeur, &c. c. x.) One of its warmest partisans was Menander, who compares Epicurus to Themistocles, as a deliverer of his country, because the father of each was called Neocles. (Burges' Anthologia, p. 10.) But we are deviating into an essay on the controverted system of Epicurus, and must forbear, or it will lead us beyond the reader's patience.

66

Tanglewood Tales. By Nathaniel Haw

thorne.

Christie Johnson. By Charles Reade, author of "Peg Woffington."

Cranford. By the Authoress of "Mary Barton" and "Ruth."

These three separate volumes, of recent publication, are worthy of distinct notice. We are always glad to welcome a fascinating book, or a book of merit of any kind, which effects its purpose in a very moderate compass, and can be made the companion of our journeyings without ruinous taxation of eyesight; for it may be noted that, as a natural result of " parlour novelists" and "railway libraries," it is but reasonable to anticipate a much abridged period of clear and strong vision for Englishmen and women who indulge much in such recreative reading. 'Tanglewood Tales" is on the whole a capital specimen of familiar narration, to an assembly of children, of our old Grecian fables. Happy the children that are to read or listen to them! The prolix, circumstantial, pictorial style of relation is adapted most admirably to the tastes of such auditors; and, in so far as omissions are concerned, we cannot object, but think them equally justifiable and well-contrived. For instance, in the selection here made, it really does not appear in any degree essential that the names of the heathen gods and goddesses should be brought forward at all. It would not add in any way to the interest of the story of Europa to hear that Jupiter inhabited the body of the White Bull, nor to that of Proserpine that her mother Ceres was a goddess. In the Tanglewood Tales, accordingly, the magic, the enchantments, the monsters, and protecting spirits remain ; but the sacredness of Deity is unimpaired. The pure heavens remain unprofaned, and yet the legend is not falsified, except indeed in one or two instances, which we think could have been better managed. In the Minotaur, for instance, the author surely goes out of his lawful province when he denies both the elopement of Ariadne and her subsequent desertion by Theseus. Would it not be the truer reverence to stop short with the conclusion of the principal enterprise, and leave antiquity by and by to settle accounts with the scholar, on those matters which confound our moral sense? As to the rest, true indeed it is, as Mr. Hawthorne says, that these old legends are the most singular things in the world, and that (at least in very many cases) "their objectionable characteristics seem to be a parasitical growth, having no essential connection with the original fable. So it is that they fall away, and are thought of no more, the instant

the relator puts his imagination in sympathy with the innocent little circle, whose wide-open eyes are fixed so earnestly on him."

"Christie Johnson" has noble and generous meanings. It is about the freshest book we have seen for a long time. It seeks and finds the chief materials of its interest in lowly characters, while yet it does not deny them the benefit of artistical and even literary culture, for Christie the fish-wife reads intently, and loves an artist and appreciates his art. It is the sort of book pointed to by the late lamented Mr. Robertson of Brighton, when in one of his eloquent lectures he speaks of the necessity of fetching objects of new interest for the higher classes from the lower. Independent also of its descriptive and narrative merits, Christie Johnson contains some capital hits against the Pre-Raphaelites in painting and the Carlylites in literature.

"Cranford," the third book on our list, is a republication of some continuous and connected papers which have appeared in the Household Words, most deservedly gathered up and presented in the single volume form. They who enjoy Mrs. Gaskell's playful and delicate wit, and feel the force of her pathos, may be told, if they require telling, that in Cranford she is as bright and genial as ever, and has not parted with her power of touching the heart, though by no deep or tragic means. Very unlike Miss Mitford's pictures of country-town life, owing nothing to description, limiting itself to a small circle in a small place, omitting even antiquarian associations, not hinting at religious differences, nor even romancing about pretty maidens and country swains, it is wonderful how the interest is sus tained throughout. If asked what is the general impression left on the reader's mind respecting the author's particular aim (that at least which presided as a leading thought over her when writing), we can only give our own, which is, that it seems designed to show-at all events that it does show-the sort of goodness that may find a home and exercise in outwardly dull, uninteresting circles; how the small vanities, the stupid pretensions, the foolish love of gossip, can all be put aside, and the kindest efforts made to meet a case of hardship arising in its little world: how inanity may be lighted up, and shallowness dignified, by the presence of an actual call to the exercise of benevolence. We have already said how narrow are the outer limits in which Mrs. Gaskell on this occasion moves. It is quite a microscopic contemplation, and most amusing are the quiet revelations of the

inner movements of those who are placed within reach of her keen and accurate eye. Perhaps, if we must find a fault, we should enter it as something a little unnatural that religious differences should not at all come into the charmed circle of Cranford respectability. Such a circle, we think, really could not exist without more outward and visible signs of a religious influence. Some of the good ladies, we are confident, would be indefatigable in church observances; one or two, we have not a doubt, would be Methodist, or Independent, or Unitarian. And, to speak seriously, we believe they who were as good as Miss Matty would be better, and more natural too, if represented as seeking, for the maintenance of their best propensities, more perpetual renewal at a higher source than is hinted at. We say this, because it is an idea from which we cannot escape, and which pursues us up and down the book, like a longing for more light and shade. With this exception, which could only arise, we are sure, from a dread of beginning what, if not treated with exquisite judgment, is apt to degene rate into vulgar common-place, we have none but delightful associations with this fascinating book.

His

On the Lessons in Proverbs. By R. C. Trench, B.D. 2nd Edition. -Mr. Trench is an author richly deserving of respect, for the devotion of his powers to the service of those among his fellow-creatures who are too often put off with the contributions of vastly inferior minds. Lectures to Young Men and to National Schoolmasters are all well worth reading. That he has made considerable use of the labours of other writers in the school of philology, in his Lectures on Words, is no ground for censure. The f ct is frankly avowed; he has aimed only at being a useful and agreeable compiler; and such thoughts as a good clergyman may carry on from a suggestive text have enriched and given an unction to the whole which we should be very sorry to miss. Occasionally Mr. Trench discerns more fanciful if not deeper meanings than his predecessors. His is the moral and religious, rather than the intellectual, aspect of words, and we feel the danger of this professional bias. Nevertheless, for the most part, what he has done is at the least harmless as speculation, and amiable and poetical as theory.

For the present volume, we believe it will be popular, and, even more than its predecessor, deservedly so. Old proverbs are little likely, in our hurrying and yet fastidious age, to find favour again as matters of daily use; but all of us have

associations with them which we hold very dear, and the writer who justifies Our affectionate attachments to these sayings deserves well of society. They speak the people's thought-a thought whose roots are deeply laid, and must be worthy of careful regard, even when its application is temporary. And herein we think that Mr. Trench is right, that he judges popular acceptance to be the great touchstone of the true proverb. A time there must have been, of course, when the saying was new and original, and matter of private property. While it remains so, and before it has been adopted into at least national use, it is but a bright and witty thought, recognised by here and there a mind, and probably demanding conditions of learning and acquaintance with great men or books. Otherwise is it after a while. When the coin has been rung and rung again, when the true metal is proved, and it is taken and accepted by rich men and poor men, wise men and simple, only then does it become a proverb.* The wonder is, considering the number of causes which intervene between mankind and the acceptance of practical wisdom and good sense, that the large majority of approved proverbs still commends itself to our minds even in this advanced period of civilization. The wise men of one nation find themselves uttering the thought of other and distant peoples. The proverb rarely is a universal truth, but always is, in a measure, a popular one. Indeed, the multitude of antagonistic proverbs indicates great diversity of acceptance, and yet the world is unanimous in taking the sayings for what they are worth.

One Proverb says that "Common fame is seldom to blame;" this finds its uses among a multitude of greedy hearers, while another, "They say so' is half a liar," comes in to correct the evil bias of the first.

Generally speaking, we cannot help thinking that a true proverb should contain a figure illustrative of a truth; "Make hay while the sun shines;" "A stitch in time saves nine;""Little strokes fell great oaks;" "More are drowned in the wine-cup than in the ocean;""Bachelor's bairns are aye weel-bred," &c., all involve an image of large application. It is true that there are other proverbs of the dry, sententious order, which are complete in themselves, and wholly without poetical beauty; but these are personal maxims, rather than large and general truths.

* Thus, the Italians say, "Il proverbio s'invecchia, e chi vuol far bene, vi si specchia."

We do not regard the great Book of Proverbs as a sealed and closed account, to receive no additions now or hereafter; but we suppose this form of the wisdom of nations must fall into gradual decay, in proportion as the world sees more numerous exceptions to arbitrary rules of man's making. Still, a fine saying is a treasure of all time; Many meet the Gods, but few salute them!" How capable is such a proverb of noble application ! August indeed are the Gods in the sorrows and the joys with which they meet mortals, while few there are who recognise the noble presence, and bow their heads in acknowledgment. Again, "God never wounds with both hands"--not with both (adds Mr. Trench), "for he ever reserves one to bind up and heal."

Who does not feel that, in receiving and giving our mental hospitality to thoughts like these, we entertain angels unawares, though we deemed our guests were merely stranger travellers? Thanks to a genial mind like that of Mr. Trench, we come to see and feel this in many a case, and it seems to us that the world, which is too apt to disdain "small books," may most gratefully accept of his.

Church History in England, from the Earliest Times to the period of the Reformation. By the Rev. Arthur Martineau, M.A. Vicar of Whitkirk, Yorkshire.The very respectable and painstaking clergyman who has given us this volume, has performed a work for which not merely Churchmen but Protestant Christians generally have cause to thank him. It is moderate, without tameness, — decided, without the least tinge of polemical bitterness, learned, without pedantry. A more useful book of reference for a young clergyman to have by him,-one eschewing, in a simpler and quieter way, party extremes of all kinds, can hardly be found. There is no lack of feeling and suitable warmth on occasion; the cause is dear to the writer, and he treats it just as the spirit of a loving regard to the English Church would seem naturally to dictate. Though there is one element of success undoubtedly wanting, and though nothing can quite make amends for the absence of a poetical turn of mind, where the lofty ennobling incidents of persecution, resistance, and martyrdom have to be treated of, we by no means think the style cold or dull. It is too truthful, honest, and vigorous for that charge to be made out against it; it simply stops short of being eloquent, for want of imagination to carry out what a more rich mind would instantly have laid hold of and realised as that which must have been true, the characters and