The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-10-12 00:00:00

LITERARY NOTICES.

Blackwood's Magazine. October, 1838..
Blackwood's stands pre-eminent and unrivalled for
its political disquisitions. The present number fully
snstains its already established character in this re-
_ spect. The first article, " The Cabinet and the
Country," contains a thundering attack upon the
present ministry, and a tremendous exposure of their
mischievous policy. The "Picture Gallery" presents
us with another affecting tale. The specimens of
"Earlier English Moral Songs and Poems" are mostly
deserving of being printed in letters of gold. The
paper on "Funerals" is cleverly written. " The Tu-
tor" is rich in its drollery. • The article on " The
Progress of Popery" is one of absorbing interest.
The detail, vAlich it furnishes respecting the insidious
advances of the Church of Rome, are calculated to
excite the attention of even the most indifferent, and
to fill the most confident with feelings of alarm. We
shall endeavour in a future number to make room for
the whole of this paper. In the mean time, we ear-
nestly recommend it to the perusal of every loyal
Protestant. The "Letter from Tomkins" is replete
with fun. We are perfectly disgusted with the almost
infidel speculations of M. Guizot on "Protestantism,
- Catholicism, and Philosophy in France." " A Glance
over the Poetry of Thomas Warton" discovers some
exquisite poetical gems.

Fraser's Magazine. October, 1838.
Fraser continues to rise in our estimation each suc-
cessive month. There is a raciness and an originality
about this spirited and truly conservative magazine
which render its perusal one of the richest treats we
can enjoy. "-Genius and the Public" is a powerful
satire, though somewhat discursive. The article on
" Chalmers and the Church Establishment" will be
perused with delight by dvery sincere friend of the
Church of England. The beautiful address "To the
Bee" we have already transferred to our columns. "A
Day among the Mountains" is an exquisite produc-
tion, replete with poetic fervour. The animadversions
on "The Foreign Policy of the Whig Cabinets of
1837 and 1838" are of a highly interesting character,
and display a very considerable amount of political
wisdom. "The Constable of Bourbon and the Sack-
ing of Rome" is well written. " The Athenian Poet's
Creed" is very beautiful. "Our Club at Paris" im-
proves considerably. The account of "Mr. and Mrs.
Alderman Stewan's perilous and patriotic Visit to
Havre de Grace" is full of humour, and will afford a
hearty laugh. Under the head of "Little Men and
Little Measures" we have some pungent strictures
upon the public character, &c. of Lord Brougham.
We do not admire the "Passages from the Diary of
the late Dolly Duster." The puns with which they
abound are too forced. The continuation of the
"Homeric Ballads" is a great treat to the classical
scholar. Under the title of " Loose Thoughts" we
have some very appropriate observations on the more
recent transactions in the political world.

Dublin University Magazine. October, 1838.
This excellent periodical merits the cordial support
of every conservative. The powerful aid which it ren-
ders to the cause of the constitution entitles it to our
warmest gratitude. Its literary merits are also of the
very highest character. The present number is par-
ticularly interesting. The first article, " Cassandra
in Ireland; or, 'tis Sixty Years to come," carries us
in imagination to the close of the nineteenth century,
with its prodigies in steam, and with the Radicals and
Papists in the full enjoyment of political power. We
sincerely hope that its gloomy prophecies may not be
fulfilled; but there is no saying to what a degree of
degradation and misery Ireland may be reduced under
the combined influence of the Whig-Radical cabinet,
O'Connell, and the priests. "The Boat Wreck," by
Ffraser, is written with much spirit. The review of
" Merck's Correspondence" contains some very power-
ful passages. "The Thirty Flasks" is a German tale
of an extraordinary character. The "By-ways of
Irish History" comprehend some useful remarks on
Whitebovism in Munster, the Catholic Committee in
Dublin, and the Hearts of Oak in the North,
&c.—
"The Confessions of Henry Lorrequer" have afforded
us another hearty guffaw. The ludicrous situation of
the hero on his way to Paris is laughable in the high-
est degree. " Thoughts on passing Things" contain
some pertinent remarks on the poor law for Ireland,
the ballot, and the repeal of the corn laws. The spe-
cimens of "Poems by Alexander Bethune" are very
creditable to the author, who is a labourer, The re-
views of "Ellis' Treatise on Insanity" and "Letters
on Paraguay" are highly interesting speculations.