The Sun.
London, England, 1831-01-17 00:00:00

MONTHLY REVIEW.

In consequence of the very late period at
which this Review has come to hand we have
been unable to notice it till now. It is, we per-
ceive, the commencement of a new series—a
sadly hackneyed Magazine phrase—and if the
present is a fair specimen of what the future
numbers are to be, we may say that the Monthly
Review is likely enough to retrieve its old cir-
culation. The analysis of " Kennedy's Poetry"
mixes up much that is just with much that is
severe—we were going to say, ill-natured.
Though no Byron, whatever some of his ad-
mirers may think to the contrary, Mr. Kennedy
is no fool. He displays at times fancy, gene-
rally feeling, always vigour, and once or twice
elegance and sound sense. The present review
is restricted to a notice of his most recent pub-
lication, " The Arrow and the Rose," and
slashing work it makes of it ! We are no very
vehement admirers of modern poetry—the poe-
tical, being nearly as extinct as the dramatic, fa-
culty—still, we are far from putting. ourselves
into a passion with its mediocrity, as Mr. Ken-
nedy's reviewer does. " Life of Mrs. Jordan"
is a very excellent critique on a very execrable
piece of biography, wholly made up of indiffe-
rent scandal, state criticism,, or past actors and
actresses, Jong since dead and forgotten, and
opinions of Mr. Bowden, de omnibus rebus et
quibusdam aliis. The " Notice of the An-
nuals" is shrewd, and pleasantly written. The
reviewer properly observes that the speculation is
over done, and will shortly find its level.

VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES OF THE COM-
PANIONS OF COLUMBUS.—LosDoN, 1831.

Mr. Washington Irving gained much and de-
served popularity by his able digest of the dis-
coveries of that Coryphwus of adventurers,
Columbus, and will not hazard his reputation
by the present volume, which may be considered
as a sort of appendix or supplement to his former
work. At any rate it has the rare merit of no-
velty to the majority of English readers, who
know as much of the history of the companions
and immediate successors of the adventurous
Genoese mariner, as they know of the interior
of Timbuctoo. The voyages of Valdivia, in
particular—whose very name has been till now
almost unheard-of in England—will be found
exceedingly fresh in point of materials ; while as
regards st)le, it is penned in a less florid and
elaborate style than any of Mr. Irving's former
works of fancy, and will consequently conic
more home to the reader. The work, we may
add, forms the 18th volume of Mr. Mum ray's very
delightful miscellany, " The Family Library."

LARDNEWS CABINET CYCLOP2EDIA.
LONDON, 1831.

This forms the fourteenth part or number of
Longman's popular miscellany, and treats chiefly
on the subject of Natural Philosophy, which
Mr. Herschel], the writer, by his clear, simple,
and forcible style, has contrived to render very
agreeable.

MITFORD'S AMERICAN STORIES. 3 VOLS.
LONDON, I b3l.

Another work expressly devoted to the use of
children, and nearly as entertaining in its way
as the Juvenile Tales of Miss Edgeworth.

ANNUAL BIOGRAPHY.-LONDON, 1831.

As an unassuming record of the lives of those
celebrated public men who have departed from
amongst us, during the last year, this work will
be found eminently useful, and fitted to hold a
conspicuous station in public or private libraries.

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS' MAGAZINE, AND
JOURNAL OF EDUCATION. PUBLISH ED MONTI( Lt.

This publication has now entered its eighteenth
year, and has the distinguished honour of being
the first " Journal of Education" that was ever
published in this country. The number before
us contains a Portrait and Memoir of James
Montgomery, who, it seems, is celebrated both
among Sunday-school teachers and poets. The
article entitled " A View of the Education of
Man before the Fall," strikes us as being an in-
tellectual novelty. " The grand Sunday School
Effort in America," or a new Mississippi scheme,

is really an extraordinary display of Christian
philanthrophy. The intelligence concerning edu-
cation at Tongataboo, at New York, and in
Scotland, is varied and interesting. Altogether
this periodical is worthy of the cause of Sunday
Schools, and merits the patronage of the friend,
of universal education.

BERTHA'S VISIT, 3 Vot.s.—LoNnoN, 1831.

We have just glanced our eye over this little
instructive miscellany, which is admirably adapted
for the perusal of youth, and which professes to
be the journal of an intelligent young lady, dc
omnibus rebus, 4v. kept during her stay in
England, for the purpose of gratifying her re-
latives, who are supposed to be resident in
South America. The idea is novel and in-
genious, and is well worked out.

DIBDIN'S SUNDAY LIBRARY.—LoNDoN, 1831.

A useful and intelligent miscellany, which,
from the nature of its contents (of the devo-
tional kind) cannot be too strongly recommended.
A calm—cheerful—rational spirit of piety,
utterly divested of cant or enthusiasm, pervades
the work, which does credit to the heart and
head of Dr. Dibdin.