The Press.
London, England, 1854-02-11 00:00:00

THE PRESS

" the absence of a tribunal to 'hick we can appeal,
"80 it must remain." Mr. Hallam also, if we re-
member correctly, says something similar in his
concise review of the authorities on international
law—that, whatever be the theory, virtually armed
power decides in these affairs. But this remark
applies only to questions of magnitude : in individual
cases of wrong the law is clear and distinct, and in
these Mr. Byerley Thomson's pamphlet may be use-
ful; but it " is intended rather as a series of hints
" than as a guide to those engaged in mercantile and
" shipping undertakings."

The History of Jack and the Beanstalk. With Six
Etchings by George Cruikshank. London: Bogue.
IF possible, even better than " The Seven-league
Boots," the land of the giants appearing titanic, and
the giants themselves overgrown caitiffs in the dete-
riorating condition which precedes the extinction of
a race or their submission to mortal conquerors.
The chase—the tying up of the giant in the bean-
stalk, and his presentation to the king as a seedy,
dilapidated captive—are admirable proofs of what
George Cruikshank can do when he trusts chiefly to
his imaginative faculty.

Notes at Paris, particularly on the State and
Prospects of Religion. London: Rivingtons.
THE author, having made a short visit to Paris in
the autumn of 1853, spent most of his time either
in hurried investigations into the authenticity of an-
cient MSS. at the Bibliotheque Imperiale, or in con-
versations on kindred subjects, and their results are
embodied in these notes, which are perhaps more
suited to the ecclesiastical scholar than to the gene-
ral reader. Incidentally, however, the writer con-
veys intimations to the disparagement of the qualifi-
cations of the French clergy, and gives valuable
evidence as to the spread of Protestantism in France.

Facts from Gweedore. Compiled from Notes. By
Lord George Hill, M.R.I.A. London : Hatchard
and Sons.
THIS is the third edition of an excellent work, and
we do not think it will be the last. If, when the
face of Ireland is entirely altered, it would be inter-
esting to posterity to know what it once was, and
how it was changed from a howling wilderness to a
scene of cultivated happiness, no where could that
knowledge be more pleasantly acquired than in these
pages. An introductory chapter, well worthy of
observation, is added to the present edition.

The Year Book of Facts in Science and Art. By

John Tin.bs. London : Bogue.
Tins closely-printed volume is divided into seven
sections, each containing numerous short and appro•
priate extracts from various sources. Such a work,
even if it contain mistakes, cannot mislead, for, as the
authorities for the statements are always given, the
reader can estimate their value for himself ; there
fore the work will be useful. Prefixed to the work is
a portrait of Arago, and at the close an obituary list.

The Poetical Works of Goldsmith, Collins, and
Warton. With Lives, Critical Dissertations, and
Explanatory Notes. By the Rev. George Gilfillan.
London: Nisbet and Co.
Tuts is the last volume of the first year's issue of
the Library Edition of the British Poets. The
whole comprises six large volumes of standard works
well printed. Contrast seems to be the principle
followed in conjoining the authors selected. For
instance, we are told that the works of Blair, Beattie,
&c., will immediately be followed by those of Dryden,
Pope, Burns, &c.