The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-02-14 00:00:00

LITERARY NOTICES.

Blackwood's Magazine. February, 18411

This is a Splendid number. The only drawback from its
interest is the omission of the exquisite memoirs of Tittlebat
Titmouse, the absence of which every one must regret. The
first article in the number is an eloquent treatise on, the
" Theory of Greek Tragedy," which possesses merit of the
highest order. It is evidently from the pen of a first-rate
scholar. The " Hymns 'of a Hermit" contain some very
pretty poetry.. The review of "Miss Martineau' Deer-
brook" is a slashing piece of criticiim, The "Letter from
Hannibal Smith, Esq.," :has afforded us_ much pleasure. in
the perusal. The elaborate critique updn !` •GriMin"sjen7
tonic Grammar" is one of the best articleS in the number.
It opens up a comparatively new field of philological inquiry.
The " Poetical Translations of Faust" is executed in Chris-
topher's best style. The remarks on the " Afghanistan
Expedition" possess peculiar claims on public attention at
the present crisis. " Legendary Lore"—" Casuistry"
and " Hints on History" are each excellent in their way.

Fraser's Magazine. February, 1840.
The opening article in the present number of this excellent
magazine is a critique on " Mrs. Hemans and the Pictu-
resque School of Poetry." The specimens which it contains
of this description of poetry are extremely well selected and
beautiful. The " Characteristics of the Nineteenth Cen-
tury" is the title of a series of pungent political remarks.
We shall transfer several of these slashing articles to our
own columns. " The Star of 4he Fountain" is a very inte-
resting tale. We especially recommend a careful perusal of
the article on " Poland, England, and Russia." It is one
of the best that we have seen on the subject. There is much
originality in the reflections on " The Present State of Lite-
rary Criticism in England." The conclusion of the satirical
tale of " Catherine" is capitally managed. It forms an ex-'
cellent companion-piece to " William Ainsworth and Jack
Sheppard," in a subsequent page. The paper on "
lais" is the production of a true scholar. The " Political
Memoranda" are worth their weight in gold, and ought to
be read by every Conservative within the four seas.

Dublin University Magazine. February, 1840.

We are here favoured with a continuation of the excellent
article on " Banking and Currency," to which we directed
the attention of our readers last month. It is replete with
useful information on this important and engrossing subject.
and will be found of the highest utility to the mercantile
part of the community. The " Gallery of Illustrious Irish-
men" for this month contains a well written memoir of
Dean .Swift. "An AdventUre of Hardress Fitzgerald."
possesses an absorbing degree of interest. The conclusion of
" Harry Lorrequer's Confessions," we have already noticed.
We are glad to fincrthat a second series is to appear under
the title of " Lorrequer Married." The " Portrait Gallery"
contains a well-executed sketch, accompanied by a Memoir of
Robert Walsh, LL.D. The tale of " Agnes," is an affecting
narrative. " How long are we to live under a Petticotocracy?"
is a capital political article. The " Trial Extraordinary for
High Treason and Piracy," is an admirable exposure of an
almost unparalleled instance of literary plagiarism.

The Asiatic Journal, and Monthly Register for British and
Foreign India, China, and Australasia. February, 1840.
London : W. H. Allen and Co.

In the present critical state of oriental affairs, there are
few journals that can be consulted with greater advantage
than the one under notice, embracing as it does a complete
view of all that• transpires respecting British India and
China from month to month. Its " Review of Eastern
News," Will be found particularly interesting. It contains
a brief summary of the most recer?t intelligence from India.
." The Mission to Bootan " furnishes us with many interest-
ing particulars respecting 'a country hitherto but imperfectly
known. The article on " Hindustani Literature " contains
several very important suggestions. We have been highly
gratified with the continuation of the descriptive account of
the " Manners and Customs of the Japanese." There are
many useful practical remarks in the " Journey through
France and Egypt to Bombay." The Critical Notices and
miscellaneous intelligence in the Asiatic are exceedingly
interesting.

The Colonial Magazine and Commercial-Maritime Journal.
Edited by Robert Montgomery, Esq. No. 2. February,
ISIO. London: Fisher,.Son, and Co.

The present number fully justifies the encomiums which
we bestowed upon its predecessor, and amply realises our
most sanguine, anticipations as to the practical utility of the
work. The opening article contains some very forcible and
appropriate remarks on " Colonies in their political and com-
mercial Relations to the parent State." We particularly re-
commend a perusal of this essay at the present crisis. It will
be found pregnant with wisdom, sagacity, and truth. We
cordially coincide with the author in his views. " The Dirge
of Tippoo Sultan" is a very spirited translation of a poem in
the Canarese language. The paper entitled " Advice and In-
formation for Emigrants of the First Class"-will be found of
eminent use to those who may intend to take up their resi-
dence in any of our Colonies. The instructions whichit con:,
tains are evidently the result of much experience and obser-
vation. The essay on " Colonial Banking" displays a
thorough acquaintance with the subject, and embodies many
useful suggestions. There is a vast fund of statistical in-
formation in the article on " The Maritime Resources of
France and the United States of America." The descriptive
account of the French Colony of Martinique possesses con-
siderable interest. " The Resources of Upper Canada, and
the Value of that Province to England" is also an excellent
article. The account of "China," and the paper on " Assam
Tea," will necessarily attract much attention at the present
moment. The remarks on "The State of Religion in the
British Colonies" are highly important. The miscellane-
ous news in the Colonial ..11agazine is both copious and ac-
curate.

The Protestant Magazine. February, 1840. London : F,

&aster

We cannot do o better service to the cause of Protestantism
than by recommending this truly spirited magazine. It will
be found replete with information of the highest possible im-
portance at the present crisis. This number embraces se-
veral articles of very great merit. The paper on " The Trea-
sonable Conspiracies of Rome" contains 20M0 fearful dis-
closures, which, we hope', will serve as warnings to lukewarm
Protestants. The " Historical Sketch-of Protestant AssoCi-
ations" is very interesting. Charlotte Elizabeth's " Illus-
trations" are powerfully written, and are calculated to pro-
duce a beneficial effect. The miscellaneous intelligence in
this number is well worth reading.

The Primitive Methodist Magazine. January and Febru-
ary, 1810. Liverpool : Thos. Johnson, Dale-street.
There are several excellent articles in this number. The
" Life of William 'Wilberforce" is well written, and possesses
considerable interest. The " Thoughts on the Commence-
mencement of the Year 18-10," are peculiarly apPropriate.
The "Power of Religion Exemplified," though excellent in
many respects, is deeply tinged with enthusiasm. -" God's
Wisdom and Power Exhibited," is an article ,Well worth pe-
rusal. The narratives which it embodies cannot fail to rivet
the- attention of the most desultory reader. This magazine
contains a vast fund of religious intelligence, chiefly interest-
ing, however, to the body of Primitive Methodists.

Sermon. Primitive Methodism,
CentenarY Scriptural in
its Choracter, and Wesleyan in its Constitution and De-
sign. A Sermon. By George Revington. Liverpool:
Thos. Johnson, Dale-street, 1840.
As churchmen we cannot approve of the positions laid
down in this sermon. It embraces a succinct review of the
character and proceedings of the Methodists from the times
of Wesley. It will be found chiefly interesting to the Wes-
leyan and the Primitive Methodists.

The Political Works of the Rec. Robert Montgomery.
Vol. 6. The Messiah. 6th Edition. Glasgow: John
Symington and Co. 1830.
This elegant series of republications is, we are glad to
perceive, becoming increasingly popular. This is no more
than the intrinsic merits of Mr. Montgomery's works. de-
serve. Their rich and glowing imagery—their devotional
fervour—their Chasteness of expression—and their graceful-
ness of style, entitle them to the admiration of every reader
of taste and judgment. The present volume is, perhaps, the
most finished and elaborate of all the author's productions.
The subject is one eminently adapted for the successful dis-
play of his descriptive powers. The copious notes which are
appended to " The Messiah" greatly enhance its value, and'
will be perused by the Christian reader with as much plea-;
sure as the poem itself. The extensive sale which -Mr.
Montgomery's works hare recently commanded, is highly
creditable to the public taste.

Progress of Socialism. The Bishop of Exeter'4 in
Speech
House of Lords, Friday, January 2,1, 1840. Londontie :
W. E. Painter.
We are glad to find the powerful speech of the Bishop of
Exeter, on' the progress of Socialism, thus printed in a cheap
form, for gratuitous circulation. Its extensive distribution
among the labouring classes cannot fail to produce much
good, Its exposure of the evils of Socialism is complete and
triumphant. We hope that every one of our readers mill
procure a copy, and aid in the circulation of so useful a tract.

The Lilutpic 1119)ara, Te Daum, Jubilate, ti'c. Liverpool :

Frederick Dunsfo rd. 1840•

This edition of the incomparable, liturgic hymns in the ser-
vice of the Church of England, will he found of great utility.
It divides those hymns into bars of suitable length, as a guide
to congregations in the devout exercise of chanting the praises
of God, according to the custom of the Established Church.
We learn that the profits which may arise from the sale of
this publication will be handed over to the Treasurer of the
Diocesan Society for the. Building of Churches.

The Dispersion and Restoration of the Je►as, the Cleansi,►g
of the Sanctuary, and the Second Coming of eArisi. By
Samuel Keut. Liverpool : S. Kent and Co. 1840.
This is an excellent treatise on the Second Advent and its
concomitant circumistances. The devout Christian reader
will derive both pleasure umliedification from its perusal. It
£mhraces a conciae, iit.the lame time, a comprehensive

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