Star.
London, England, 1825-03-15 00:00:00

LITERATUiIE.

Tales of the Ardennes.—By DZRWENT CONWAY, I2mto.

London, 1825.

• The author of this work has resided some time in the
Ardennes, and has made himself well acquainted with
its scenery and the traditions of its inhabitants.. The
tales ate interesting, and many of the author's descrip-
tions ate ext, emely felicitous. Some poetical pieces,
of con.iderable merit, are interspersed in the volume
The following animated description of a forest may
arffice as a specimen of the author's prose :
« A forest is beautiful in all seasons. It is beautiful
in spring, when the leaves are unfolding their virgin
charms to the love-sick air, and when the birds chant
welcome to the morning sun. It is beautiful in summer,
when scarce a wandering sunbeam can pierce the
foliage, and when the nightingale sings in the day-time.
It is lovely in autumn, whea the painted leaves hang
frail ; and lovelier, still in its progress and decline, when
all that is seen is the " little red leaf," and all that is
heard is the last note of the woodlark. And is it not
beautiful in winter, when leaves there are none, but
when the knarled trunks and fantastic branches put
forth shapes of picturesqueness more striking than when
they were arrayed in the vestment of spring, or their
summer garment ? But he who has never seen a forest
of oak, pendant with its feathery burden of purity, has
never seen a forest in its most wondrous magnificence."

Travels in South America, during the Years 1819, 20,
and 21, containing an Account of the Present State of
Brazil, Buenos%Ayres, and Chile. By A. CALDCLEUGH, '
Esq. t vols.Bvo. London, 1825.
Mr. Caldcleugh, who appears to be a Gentleman of
much acuteness of observation and strict impartiality,
has, in these volumes, given us much valuable infor-
mation relating to a country which every day acquires
additional importance. The author accompanied Mr.
(now Sir Edward) Thornton in his mission to Rio de
Janeiro, and had, consequently, some facilities of ac-
quiring information which ordinary travellers do
not possess. _ _ .

Mr. Caldclengh has traversed the countries he de.
scribes, and made himself acquainted with the political
institutions and domestic habits and customs of the
people, the state of trade, agriculture, &c. Of these we
may, perhaps, hereafter make a few extracts ; at pre-
sent we shall only quote the tradition of the Brazilians
as to the origin of the black race :
" At the time, say they, of the creation of Adam,
Snail looked on and formed a man of clay, but every
thing he touched becoming black, he determined to
wash him white in the Jordan : on his approach the
river retired, and he had only time to push the black
man on the wet sand, which, touching the soles of his
feet and the palms of his hands, accounts for the white-
ness of these parts. The devil, in a state of irritation,
struck his creation on the nose, by which the &mess of
that organ was accomplished. The Negro then begged for
mercy, and humbly represented that no blame could be
attached to him, upon which the other, something
pacified, patted him on the head, and, by the heat of
his hands, curled his hair in the way it is seen in the
present day."

Considerations on the Expediency of Sinking Capital in
Railways By JOHN VALLANCE, Bvo. pp. 112. Lon-
don, 1825.

Adverting to the improvement in one species of lcco•
motion wheel-carriages, and the discovery within the
last half century of three others—steam navigation.
canals, and aerostation, Mr. Valiance cautions the
speculating Public not to consider railways as the acme
of perfection. Indeed he points out many objections to
them, and contends that they will be deficient in rapi-
dity, uncertain in their operation, and too expensive a
mode of conveyance for heavy goods. We will not say
but that much may be said on the other side of the
question, but at all events the observations of Mr. Val-
lance are entitled to consideration. The author suggests
a new mode of conveyance, by means of forced air
through cylinders, in the way gas is forced through
pipes, as surpassing all others in velocity. and as per-
fectly practicable. We confess we have our doubts on
the subject.

Westminster Hail ; or, Profasional Relics and Ant c •
dotes of the Bar, MI Bench, and the Woolsack.
Three Vols. 12mo. London, 1825.
There is a great deal of amusing fact and anecdote
connected with the law in these volumes, some of which
are very curious, and forming altogether a very enter-
taining melange. We have only room for one anecdote ;
it relates to Sit Jeoffrey Palmer, who was the first At-
torney-General after the Restoration :
" During all the troubles of the times he lived quiet
in the Temple, a professed and known Cavalier; and
no temptation or fear ever shook his principles. He
lived then in great busineis of conveyancing, and had
no clerks but such as were strict cavaliers. One, I have
heard, was so rigid, that he could never be brought to
write Oliver with a great 0. And, it was said, the at-
torney chose to purchase.the manor of Charleton, be-
cause his master's name sounded in the style of it.—
Such amusements may be allowed to please and divert
a zealous old Gentleman that lived to see and enjoy all
the fruits of his honest ambition. When he was first
made Attorney-General he had means, by the universal
renewal of grants, and the floating of all manner of
concerns of the Crown, which settling must pass by
him, to have amassed vast wealth, as others have done
and do. Bin he was mindful of his old friends, the
cavaliers, and generally gave them their fees, and not
only to such as he knew pool e for se sort of charity,
but to others that had less need, out of generosity, and
as a mark of his fi iendship and recognition of their
merits. It was affirmed, that the patents granted to
General Monk, passing his office, came to nearly 25001.
in fees, and for honour and gratitude he took not a
penny for himself."

Intelligence as late as die 23d of November has been
received from Calcutta, which wholly overturns the
sinister interpretation which had been pin on the pain-
ful occurrence which took place at Barrackpore, about
the beginning of that month. The native troops, so far
trnm having been seduced by the mutinous example, or,
alienated by the exemplary punishment, of the 47th,
were at that periosi tranquil and obedient. A Court-
-.‘lartial had been held on a few of the ringleaders, who
were shot, and forty transported for life, pursuant tt'
their sentence. This intelligence was brought by the
lisdiaman, who left the Mellish at St. Helena.
he latter is chat ged with dispatches for the Coili t at
'Lectors, which the York (acted to take care of; hut
the pfniinsal was declined, in the.expectation that the
Slellish. would reach England as soon as the Vol k.

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