The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-11-22 00:00:00

LITERARY NOTICES.

Walks and Wanderings in the World of Literature. By
the Author of " Random Recollections," " The Great
Metropolis," &c. 2 vols. London : Saunders and Otlei.
1839.

We have already extracted very largely from these agree-
able volumes. They are from the prolific pen of Mr. Grant,
who has already provided so largely for the public entertain-
ment. Like most of Mr. Grant's preceding works, the one
under notice contains a variety of light and sketchy articles,
interspersed with numberless interesting anecdotes and bio-
graphical incidents. If popularity may be considered a test
of merit, the author of " Walks and Wanderings" must be
one of the most meritorious writers of the day. The follow-
ing enumeration of the titles of the different chapters in these
volumes will afford a tolerable indication of the nature of
their contents :—Nursery Poetry—Confessions of Peter Pug
—The Rivals ; of the Autobiography of a Friend—Misad-
ventures of a Lover—The Lakes of Scotland—The Soldier
and his Wife—The Chieftain and his Vassal—Recollections
of Sir Walter Scott—Old Maids, Bachelors, and Marriage—
Schoolboy Reminiscences of an Octogenarian—The Fishers
of Stotfield—Travels in Morayshire—Juvenile Recollections
of an Old Man—My Schoolboy Companions—Notes on the
Newspapers—The Village Lovers—The Magic Bridle—The
Highland Courtship—The Highland Wedding-7he Kerbock
Stone—The Celtic Lovers—The First and Last Robbery—
The New Year. We have here a diversity of topics to suit
every taste. Many of the essays contain matter which will
repay a more than cursory perusal. j `►'

iro
The Wife and Mother's Book ; b4O medical mpanion•
to the " Young Bride's Book." : B Alexa Stookes,
Surgeon, L.S.A., &c. London : Washbou e.

This excellent work, from the pen of a townsman, forms
an admirable sequel to the " Young Aide's Book," which
we have already noticed in terms of well-merited commen-
dation. Like its predecessor, the *ork before us is exceed-
ingly neatly and tastily got up, and cannot fail t 44 become
very popular. Its contents embrace everything that it is
necessary for a mother to know ;. and each of the subjects is
treated of in a style peculiarly clear and familiar. The author
possesses, in a very high degree, the rare acquirement of
making his advice and instructions perfectly intel'igible to
the most ordinary capacity. 'his he accomplishes, in a great
measure, by avoiding professional technicalities, and using
in their steal terms of coma on import. His principal ob-
ject, as expressed in the preface, hasbeen " to give the young
wife the experience of the i4atron," but not to make her a
quack doctor. The4information which this volume contains
respecting the maitgement of health during pregnancy, the
conduct of the mother subsequently, and the treatment of
children, is high valuable. We feel convinced that the
perusal of this bMittifial little tome will obviate many evils
and inconveniencis which frequently arise from extreme de-
licacy. As the author has been very particular in advising
when Medical assistance is necessary, the work may be con-
sulted with the greatest confidence.

The Poetical Works of the Rev. R. Montgomery, A.M.
New Edition, revised by the Author. Vol. 4. Glasgow :
Jahn Symington & Co. ; London : Ball, Arnold, & Co.
1839.

The present volumne of the works of this very popular
" poet an I divine" will add materially to his well-acquired
fame. The principal poem is that on " Death." It abounds
with grand imagery, solemn reflections, and deep and fervid
piety: The author frequently rises with his subject until he
attains the true sublime. The " Universal Prayer" is an
eminently beautiful production, strongly reminding us of
Thomson's best style. The " Vision of Heaven" and the
" Vision of Hell" afford a striking proof of Mr. Montgomery's
powers of vivid description. The supernatural terrors of the
one, and the glory and beatitude of the other, are depicted in
language the most forcible and glowing. The " Stage Coach,"
which concludes the volume, has never appeared in print be-
fore. It displays a very discursive fancy, and shews that the
author is a keen and penetrating observer of men and man-
ners.

The Fathers have no Authority to determine Articles of
Faith. An Essay delivered in the Divinity School, Ox-
ford. By the Rev. Thomas Byrth, D.D. Oxford : D. A.
Talboys. 1839.
This admirable Essay constitutes one of two exercises
read by the respected author for the degree of Bachelor of
Diyinity. A more suitable exercitation we have seldom met
witt. Would that all clergymen, on their admission to the
higher degrees inr. our universities, availed themselves, in like
mariner, of the opportunity of instilling such sound and or-
thOdo7f, opinions into the minds of their juniors, as those
wilic;embodied and vividly set forth in the Essay before
us. - If such were a more general practice, we should hear
le;s of the ascendancy of Puseyism. Dr. Byrth could not,
at ;the present crisis, have chosen a more seasonable topic
than the authority of tradition in matters of faith. Unhap-
pily, many divines in the Church of England have lately given
publicity to opinions on this subject which are almost iden-
ti&al with, or, at least strikingly assimilated to, those which
are held by the apostate Church of Rome. We are glad that
Dr. Byrth has ventured into this field of discussion. Few
modern theologians are better qualified than he is to grapple
with the subtle advocatds of the doctrine against which he
has entered his protest. To those whose minds have been
unsettled by the specious writers of the " Oxford Tracts,"
we would earnestly recommend the perusal of this Essay. It
attacks the very strong-hold of Puseyism. Driven out of
the refuge afforded by traditionary authority, neither Dr.
Pusey, Mr. Newman, Mr. Keble, nor Dr. Hook, have any
means of defence left them. We trust that this Essay will
obtain an extended circulation.

Plain Abstracts for Popular Use of all the Acts of Public
Interest, passed in the Session 2 and 3 Victoria. By
J. H. Brady, Author of " Plain Instructions to Ex-
ecutors," &c. London : Washbonrne. 1839.

This is an exceedingly cheap and useful compendium. It
forms one of a series of plain legal guides, important to all
classes of the community. It is written in a very intel-
ligible style, and familiarises the provisions of all the most
important acts of the last session to the most ordinary un-
derstanding. Of the following acts it gives a pretty copious
analysis :—The Metropolitan and other Police Acts—the
Postage Act—the Paper Duties Act—the Copyright of De-
signs Act-new Regulations for the Protection of Parties
dealing with Bankrupts—the Acts for the Improvement of
Prisons—for the Abolition of the She Trade—for the Sus-
pension of the Usury Laws, &c. The full titles of all the
acts passed during the Session are also given.

A Catechism of the Natural History of Man. By James
Nicol. Edinburgh : Oliver and toyd ; Lvdon : Simp-
kin, Marshall, and Co. 1839.

This useful little work embraces a large fund of informa-
tlim respecting the peculiar characters of the human species
—their progress and developement—the different varieties of
mankind—and the causes of these distinctions. This in-
formation is arranged in the popular and intelligible shape of
question and answer, and is accompanied by several suitable
engravings illustrative of the subject.

Statement of Facts relating to Steam Communication with
India, on the Comprehensive Plan. With an Appendix.
London : Smith. Elder, and Co. 1839.

Those who are interested in the important subject of
steam communication with India, will find in this temperately
written pamphlet much useful information, derived from a
variety of sources. The author has taken great pains in the
compilation and arrangement of his matter.

La 1y Flora Hastings. The Court Doctor Dissected; with
aiserrations on the Statements of Lady Portman and the
Marchioness of Tavistock. By J. F. Murray, Esq. M.D.

. -
3d Edition, corrected. London :W. E. Painter. 1839.
This pamphlet contains an able and conclusive exposure of
the professional fallacies in Sir James Clark's " Statement,"
and some very powerful animadversions on the conduct pur-
sued by the Ladies in Waiting, towards the late Lady Flora
Hastings. There is much' other important matter incorpo-
rated with these remarks, which cannot fail to attract general
attention.

The Confessions of Harry Lorrequer. Part 9. Illustrated
by Phiz. Dublin : W. Curry, jun. and Co ; London : W.
S. Orr and Co. •

The present number of Harry Lorrequer is peculiarly rich
and graphic in its descriptions. " The Proposal" is exceed-
ingly well told, and Harry's escape from his awkward dilem-
ma is capitally managed. " The Reminiscence," with the
illustration by Phiz, is inimitably droll. Mr. O'Leary's
capture will afford a hearty laugh : indeed, there is scarcely
a chapter in these " confessions" which will not move the
risible muscles into uncontrollable activity.

The Illustrated Shakspere, revised from the best authori-
ties. With Annotations, and Introductory Remarks on
the Plays, by many distinguished Writers : illustrated
with nearly One Thousand Engravings on Wood. Parts
6 and 7. London : Robert Tyas.
This exquisitely beautiful edition of the works of the
" immortal Bard of Avon," proceeds with great spirit. The
parts before us contain the conclusion of Twelfth Night,
the whole of Measure for Measure, and the Commencement
of Much Ado OM Nothing► The illustrative engravings

to these plays are perfect gems, and cannot fail of themselves
to procure for this edition an extended circulation. The
annotations still further enhance its value. This is emphati-
cally the edition of Shakspere "for the people." We hof e
it will become literally " a book for the million." The pub-
lisher deserves the highest praise for his spirit and enterprise.

Men and Measures; or, the Political Panorama. A Satire
Part 2. London : Joseph Thomas.

The author of this satire displays great power of mind and
vigour of imagination. He lashes vice and scandal with un-
relenting but merited severity. His pen is like the sting of
a scorpion, and must make certain `: courtly glozers " writhe
with agony. The literary merits of this production, indepen!
dently of its political object, are of the highest order. The
author is evidently a man of cultivated intellect.