The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-05-14 00:00:00

LITERARY NOTICES.

Blackwood's Magazine. May; 1539.
We are glad to find that Christopher has commenced
a series of articles on " Our Descriptive Poetry" in
the, present number, The subject is one which cannot
fail to draw from his practised pen some very vivid
sketches. " The Picture Gallery" is still as interesting
and cleverly written as ever. " Hallowed Ground" is
a delightful poem, full of true pathos. " The Goddess
Venus in the Middle Ages" is also excellent in its way.
The continuation of the " Irish Oyster-Eater's Auto-
biography" has afforded us a rich treat in the perusal.
His descriptive powers are almost equal to those of
Boz himself. The translation of the twenty-second
book of the Iliad is well executed. The letter on
" Scotch Nationality" contains some very just and
faithful criticisms. "Assassins and Bull-fights" is the
title of a horrifying narrative from the Baron Von
Auffenberg. The " Prospectus of a History of our
Family," and the " Notes of a Traveller," are agree-
able specimens of light reading. Blackwood has en-
tirely eschewed politics this month. How is this ?

Fraser's Magazine. May, 1839.
The political articles in Fraser are generally of first-
rate order—worth the weight of the magazine in gold.
How is it that the present number is without a single
article of this description ? In other respects, the pre-
sent number is a capital one—full of vigour and fresh-
ness. The essay on " Oneiromancy" is curious. "One
or two Guesses at one or two Truths" is a piquant ar-
ticle; containing much truth pleasantly told. The cri-
tique on " The Sacred Poets" contains some passages
of exquisite beauty. " Practical Reasoning versus Im-
practicable Theories" is the best paper in this number.
It is a formal critique on Miss Martineau's " Society
in America," in which that lady's speculations are
handled with becoming severity. `• Robyn Hode and
Kynge Richarde'is a "right pleasaunt" ballad. Those
who open this number to enjoy a hearty laugh will not
fail to turn to " Catherine," a tale from the pen of the
illustrious " Ikey Solomons." The observations on
Lady Bulwer's " Cheveley" are sensible and just.

The Dublin University Magazine. May, 1839.
This number opens with an excellent article_ on
" Ireland under Lord Normanby," which is quite sea-
sonable at the present crisis. The gross misgovern-
ment of the would-be premier is exposed in the most
glowing terms. " The High Cross, by Bonn" is a
truly German legend. The review of " Dr. Maunsell
on Political .Nledicine," contains a variety of interesting
statistical details on the relation of medicine to govern-
ment and legislation. The " Continental Gossipings"
of Harry Lorrequer are in the best style of the author—
light and sketchy, and pervaded by a rich vein of hu-
mour. The critique on Miller's " Modern History
Philosophically Illustrated" embodies sound views in
clear and forcible language. The story of " Schalken
the Painter" is repulsively horrible. We cannot
agree with many of the remarks in the essay on
" Women in Ireland." It is written in too flattering
a strain. " A Polish Chateau in the last century" is a
powerfully written narrative. This number of the
University Magazine contains some exquisite specimens
of original poetry from various authors.

The Asiatic Journal. May, 1839.
At the present important crisis this magazine cannot
but prove one of the most interesting placed on our
table. The copious details which it furnishes us re-
specting the affairs of the East in general, and the
operations of the British army on the northern frontiers
Of India, render it a valuable companion to the news-
papers of the day. In the " Review of Eastern News"
we have an excellent analysis of the most recent intel-
ligence respecting the aggressive proceedings of Russia.
The essay on " Anglo-India Life" contains some extra-
ordinary anecdotes connected with " Marriages, Elope-
ments, and Disappointments." The review of Rich's
" Babylon and Persepolis" is interesting to the anti-
quarian reader. The paper on " The Literary Taste
of the Orientals" contains much curious information.
We have been greatly pleased with the remarks on the
" Cultivation of Tea in British India." This subject
is one of the greatest importance. We are glad to find
that a company has already been formed for developing
the resources of Assam.

The Oriental Herald. May, 1839.
We are glad to find that this excellent miscellany is
still in existence. It is some time since we have been
favoured with a copy. This number opens with an
admirable essay on the " Indian Crisis," in which
Lord Auckland's measures are reviewed at some length.
We may probably avail ourselves, on a future occasion,
of the information which it embodies. " The Scenes
of Hindoo Pilgrimage" contain some curious particu-
lars respecting the resorts of the religious ascetics of
India. The article on "The Army" is sensibly and
forcibly written. We have been much pleased with
the notes appended to the " Ode to the Ganges."
The synopsis of oriental intelligence presented in this
spirited periodical is exceedingly copious : it embraces
news from Calcutta, Madras, Bombay, Ceylon, Aden,
Mauritius, Siam, Sincapore, Burmah, Penang, China,
Java, and Australasia. The " Asiatic Register" is also
of great value. It contains a full account of all ap-
pointments, promotions, changes, &c., civil, ecclesias-
tical, medical, and military, &c. &c.

Foreign Monthly Review, and Continental Literary
Journal. No. 1. May, 1839.
_ _ _

From the talent and energy displayed in the first
number of this new competitor, we augur for it a long
and prosperous career. It contains several articles of
first-rate merit. One of its principal merits is the
great variety which it contains : none of the articles
are spun out to an unreasonable length. This is a
feature which must inevitably contribute to its popu-
larity among merely English readers. We are also
glad to find, that whenever quotations from the conti-
nental languages are introduced, a translation is ap-
pended. Among the more interesting papers in this
number we would enumerate those on The Lyric
Poets of Germany"—" Elementary Education in Hol-
land and Belgium"—" The Private Life of Napoleon"
—" Society and Morals in the United States"—" Du-
mas's Visit to Sinai"—" Reminiscences of Count Du-
mas"—" Lappenberg's History of England"—and the
" Literary Tour in Italy." We wish this excellent
magazine every success.