The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-12-13 00:00:00

Fraser's Magazine. December, 1839.

Dublin University Magazine. December, 1839.

Tait'B Edinburgh Magazine. December, 1839.

Whenever Tait reviews a book, he gives us the very sum
and substance of it, divested all extraneous matter, and sup-
plementary verbiage. - This is emphatically the case in the
analysis of the " Memoirs of Harriot, Duchess of St.
Albans," which we find in the present number. The nume-
rous extracts embodied in this notice are extremely interest-
ing. We partly agree with the writer in his estimate of the
character of this extraordinary womon. Tlie paper on the
" Ecclesiastical Courts "' will, no doubt, be perused with
avidity by the 'disciples of the voluntary system. "The Re-
bel Chief—a Scene in the Wicklow Mountains, 1803 "is
powerfully written. We cannot, however, agree with the
morale of the talc. There is a vein of unalloyed-hilarity in
the " Burchen Melodies." The music is is exceedingly ap-
propriate. It is hardly necessary for us to say that one of
the first articles which attracted our notice in this number
was " The Sketches of Life and Manners, from the Autobio-
graphy of an English Opium-Eater." This is an exquisite
series of articles from a pen which never fails to afford the
highest gratification. The Literary Notices and miscellane-
ous articles in Tait are, as usual, very ably compiled and
judiciously selected.

The Asiatic Journal and Monthly Register of Foreign India,
China, and Australia. December, 1839. London : W.
H. Allen and Co.

It is many months since we have received a copy of this
truly valuable repertory of oriental news and literature. The
present number contains several articles of first-rate interest
and importance. At the present crisis in the affairs of India,
we are always glad of an opportunity. of consulting the " Re-
view of Eastern News" in the pages of the Asi'7tic. The
essay on the " Women of Hindostan" is an exceedingly
well-written article, affording a complete insight into the cha-
racters of that numerous class of our fellow-subjects. The
review of Duff's " India and Indian Missions" is very tem-
perately written. Under the title of " Awakings," we have
some very pleasing specimens of poetry. We have been
highly delighted with the curious article on the " Manners
and Customs of tke Japanese." The translations of the
" Thousand and One Nights" are highly characteristic.
The report on the " Assam Tea" is a very important docu-
ment, especially at the present conjuncture, when our rela-
tions with China are in such a doubtful position. The mass
of miscellaneous intelligence in the .Asiatic Journal renders
it one of the most interesting periodicals that falls under our
notice.

The New Monthly Belle Assemble-e. December, 1839.
This agreeable melange is always welcome. Its decorations
are, of course, chiefly useful to " the ladies ;" but its literary
contents afford a treat of no ordinary character to both sexes.
Those who are fond of poetry, especially of amatory lays, will
find much to admire in the pages of this entertaining miscel-
lany. The tales in this number are both numerous and ex-
cellent. " The Young Painter" is full of genuine pathos.
" The Discovery of the Manuscript" will amply gratify those
who have a taste for the marvellous in fiction. " The Lily
of Everleigh" is fraught with tenderness and true affection.
Among the most conspicuous of the remaining tales we may
enumerate " The Blind Maniac"—" The Fashionable De-
linquents"—" The Dressmakers' Apprentice"—" Reginald
Fortesque"—" The Old Maid"—" The Death of the First
Born"—" Margaret Grenville"—and the "Young Soldier."
This brief enumeration will suffice to show the immense va-
riety in the contents of this excellent magazine.

The Farmer's Magazine. December, 1839.

This is one of the most valuable of the periodical publica-
tions of the day, relating as it does, in so pre-eminent a
degree, to the developement of our national resources. The
mass of useful intelligence comprehended within the limits
of this magazine is truly astonishing, especially when we
consider its very moderate price. No British farmer should
be without this excellent guide and instructor. But it is not
.to the farmer alone that this journal is useful. It will be
found replete with information of the greatest importance to
the statesman, the political economist, the natural philoso-
pher, the chemist, and the student of anatomy ; whilst its
artistical illustrations must attract the attention of all who
have any taste for the rine arts. The present number con-
tains many very valuable articles ; among the chief of which
we would enumerate the papers on " The Pure and Improved
Varieties of Wheat lately introduced into England"—on
" Rearing and Feeding Sheep"—on " The Application of
Artifieial.Manure"—on ",The -fletectiOn of Pregnancy in the
Mare and Cow"—on " The Extravasation of Sap iind. Honey-
dew"—on " The Corn Laws"—and on "Subs Oil Ploughing."

The Sparkman. December, 1839.

Of •" moving accidents by flood and field !' we have in this
magazine an abundant record. The present is a capital num-
' ber. Its decorative plates are of a very superior order. The
first is a portrait of " Cruiskeen, winner of the Caesarewitch
Stakes." The second is a capital representation of " Wild
Fowl Shooting by Moonlight, in the Southampton Water."
The literary and miscellaneous contents of the number before
us are also highly attractive. The descriptive accounts of
the plates are well worth a careful perusal. The account of
" Howth Park Meeting" is highly valuable. Morgan Rattler
is a comical dog. " A Day's Bird Shooting in Surrey" is an
exciting narrative. " Pete Featherton ; or, Deer Shooting
on the Ohio," is the best article in the number. " The
Trout, and how to catch him" has been brought to a conca,
sion. It closes with some very valuable hints on bait fishing.
The article on " Boar-Shooting" -is a very spirited affair.
" Horse Racing in Belgium" contains much that is novel as
well as interesting. The miscellaneous intelligence respect-
ing sporting affairs in general is copious and interesting.

Socialism; in its Moral Tendencies, compared with Chris.

tianity. By John Eustace Giles. London : Simpkin,
Marshall, and Co. 1839.

This admirable publication is the second of three lectures
on the abominations of socialism, delivered by the author at
Leeds. We have already bestowed our hearty commenda-
tions on the first of these lectures. The present will be
found a still more formidable exposure of the system pro-
pounded by Mr. Owen and his disciples. Mr. Giles deserves
the thanks of the community for his eloquent efforts in de-
fence of the tr ith of Christianity. It is impossible to rise
from the perusal .of this pamphlet without a feeling of =ut-
terable disgust at the filthy insinuations and the obscene
language contained in Mr. Owen's books. Mr. Giles has

This is an admirable number. Indeed, we might almost
stereotype this expression, to prefix to every notice we be-
stow upon Fraser; for when is he not admirable? Dr.
Maginn has displayed his usual amount of learning in the
continuation of his remarks on " Dr. Farmer's Essay on the
Learning of Shakspeare." The modern Doctor is more than
a match for his predecessor. "My Irish Tutorship" is a
capital tale, but rather too diffuse. We must not omit,
however, to condemn its indecent sneers at the " Evangeli-
cals." We suspect the author to be a Puseyite, and " some-
thing more." The lines on " Affection" are beautiful. The
essay on " The French School of Painting," with its appro-
priate anecdotes, illustrations, and philosophical disquisi-

tions, is pleasingly written. There is much truth in the
" Thoughts on the Connection of Crime and PuniShment."
The subject is one which is entitled to the consideration of
every lovei of his country. The humour ous " Chapter
about Boutiques and. Gin-Palaces,'.',. applies to Liverpool
almost as much as it does to the Metropolis. We have
enjoyed a hearty laugh While perusing " The Great Cossack
Epic of Demetrius Rigmarolovicz.." The reviews of " Csesar
Otway's Tour in Connaught," and "A Budget of 'Bards,"
are highly interesting.

This number opens with a very able review of " Lord
Brougham's Letter on National Education," which we
strongly recommend to the perusal of our readers. It de-
serves to be republished in a separate form—a feature which
we should like to witness in reference to several articles in the
Dabtin University Magazine. The " Portrait Gallery " for
this month contains a well eiecuted likeness of George Petrie,
author of " An Essay on the Round Towers of Ireland,"
accompanied by a vividly written biographical sketch. " The
Last Heir of Ferney " is a legendary tale of considerable
powei, and full of exciting incident. The review of " Physic
and Physicians" contains a very full analysis of that extra-
ordinary work. The continuation of " Harry Lorrequer's "
confessions is laughable in the highest degree. There are
some very curious statistical details in the article on " Pawn-
broking in Ireland." Might_ not the system of the Monts
de Piite be tried in England ? The " Recollections of a
Portrait Pairiter" are very interesting this month. The spe-
cimens of poetry in the '" Anthologia Gerrnanica " are truly
terrific. We scarcely knew whether to laugh or weep while
reading the article on " A New Batch of Saints from the
Vatican." The " Poets' Corner " is adorned by some very
pleasing verses.

most triumphantly proved the nttet depravity of the social
system, and exhibited-its paralysing influence on public mo-,
rality with unsparing fidelity. The extensive circulation of
this lecture would effect much good and prevent much evil.
We cordially recommend it to the notice of our readers.

The Protestant Magazine. December, 1839.

The excellent magazine is published under the direction of
the Committee of the Protestant Association, and is especi-
ally directed to the defence of the Reformed Faith and to the
exposure of Popish machinations and the refutation of Popish
errors and superstitions. Its contents will be found particu-
larly useful to the Protestant operatives of Great Britain,
whom it furnishes with a plentiful store of arguments against
Popery. We wish it an extensive circulation.

The Churchman. Enlarged Series. December, 1839.

Landon : W. E. Painter.

The present number contains several articles of great
merit. The " History of the Cathedral of Winchester"
will be interesting to the antiquarian. The notice on " Na-
tional Education " is very appropriate. s We cannot agree
with the remarks on Mr. Cator's sermon before the Lord
Mayor. We have derived much pleasure from the perusal of
the " Vindication of the Church Establishment!' The
author is evidently a master of his subject. The " Beautiful
Charactei of his Child, by John Evelyn, Esq." is full of ten-
derness and pathos. The article on " The Pretensions of the
Church of Rome " is highly valuable. The arguments which
it contains are conclusive and satisfactory. The miscellane-
ous, ecclesiastical, and other contents of the Churchman
render it a very valuable family magazine.

The Village Chui-ehman. December, 1839.

We cannot too strongly recommend this useful and unpre-
tending publication. Its contents are expressly adapted for
the edification of the humble members of the Church of Eng-
land. It ought to find its way into every cottage in the
land. The principles which it maintains are strictly orthodox
and evangelical. The narratives and anecdotes with which
it abounds render it a very delightful companion.