know that the King is the head of the church, and is, therefore, supreme (certainly above the Dean of his own little chapel at St. James's ;)—and we must say, in contradicting a report which was circulated by a newspaper called the "Record," stating that the Bishop had withdrawn his name indignantly from the list of stewards of the festival, that the causes of the exclusion of his Lordship's name from the list, in the first instance, were not such as we could have wished to find suggested for the omission of the Bishop of the diocese, in which the charitable institutions to be benefited by the celebration are located.

THE ARTISTS.-Leslie, the American artist, is, we imagine, in England. He proceeded some months since to his native" States," with the intention of settling there-but the attempt was vain. After a long residence in this country, the contrast was too powerful, and he has announced his immediate return to London, and a decided naturalization for the rest of his life—at this we rejoice, for he is an admirable painter. Poor Newton is still in a sad state, but better; at times he has a consciousness of his identity, but this is by fits and starts; and as far as ultimate recovery goes, we apprehend the case to be hopeless. Mr. Haydon is still loose and about the streets, although, after an inspection of his picture of the "Reform Banquet," in any other country, we suspect he would be, as the Irish say, "put up.' Some wag has called this immense absurdity one of the " Signs of the Times;" all we can say is, that whatever may be the deserts of the painter, the picture is not worth hanging.

Ireland and REPEAL.-It is with very great pain we have read, not only the public accounts, but many private letters from Ireland, relating to the state of affairs in that most unhappy country. All the horrible accounts which we see in print, appalling as they are, really and truly fall short of giving an adequate description of the actual state of the nation. Several counties have been declared in a state of insurrection. Mr. O'Connell's motion for the Repeal of the Union came on, on Tuesday evening the 21st., in the House of Commons, and continued, by adjournment, until too late a period in the month for us to notice its conclusion. We may, however, be permitted to say that it virtually terminated on Friday last, when Sir Robert Peel, in one of the most powerful, luminous, and statesmanlike speeches that ever was pronounced in Parliament, set at rest the merits of a question, the agitation of which had no other earthly object than the display of oratory by the O'Connell faction, who felt it necessary to show their activity to their deluded constituents.

THE QUEEN'S Departure.—Our readers will before this have learned that it is the intention of her gracious Majesty to visit the Continent during the spring. The precise period for the Queen's departure is not yet fixed. Her Majesty will be attended by the Earl of Denbigh, her Majesty's Lord Chamberlain, and his noble Countess; the Countess Howe, one of the Ladies of the Bedchamber, and her noble Earl; the Earl and Countess of Errol, (his Lordship being Master of the

Horse to her Majesty,) and several other members of the Royal household.

The Queen, in this excursion, will carry with her the affectionate and loyal regards of the British nation; and her return to our shores will be hailed with sincere pleasure by a people to whom her Majesty has endeared herself by her virtues, her benevolence, and her affability.

THE LITERARY FUND.-The anniversary dinner of the Literary Fund will take place early in May, and it is understood that the chair will be taken either by the Duke of Wellington or Sir Robert Peel. We trust it is unnecessary to explain to our readers the strong claims which this most excellent institution advances upon the assistance of all with whom literature is either a pursuit or an enjoyment; but it is a startling fact, that comparatively few of the many who live by the pen have their names enrolled among its subscribers. The charity-for such it is in the most emphatic, though not in the most unpleasing sense-is so constituted, that the good it does can rarely be made public. It is unable, like other institutions, to attract attention by the multiplicity of its benefactions, or command support by widely-spread statements of the evils it has prevented, or the miseries it has softened or relieved: the benefits it confers are kept secret from the world, because of the “ ресиliar people" it is its object to assist. Yet it would be easy to point to many whom its seasonable aid has rendered high, and eminent, and independent members of that society, to improve and gladden which they had long and ably laboured; and still more easy to name the many widows and orphans who have applied to the Fund, and obtained timely help from its resources. We trust the next anniversary will be a successful one.

A MARTYR.-One of the police-offices was made merry a few days ago by the appearance of a man of the name of Cleave and his supporters, among whom was the Rev. Dr. Wade. Cleave was fined for publishing an unstamped paper; of course, he refused to pay the fine, and surrendered to suffer imprisonment. Some friend of "the cause," however, had previously paid it; and the worthy publisher was compelled, much against his will, to continue out of durance. He complained loudly and bitterly at this infringement of his rights, that he was not permitted to be "a martyr;" of course, promised and vowed to qualify himself again for the privilege of incarceration; and "went away," according to the report," much out of humour."

CRITICAL NOTICES.

Imaginative Biography.

THIS attempt at Imaginative Biography, by Sir Egerton Brydges, does not display any particular powers of imagination. "By imaginative biography I mean an imaginary superstructure on the known facts of the biography of eminent characters," says the author, in an ante-script to his book. No deception is, therefore, practised on the uninformed reader, as far as history is concerned, and the region of fiction has not been very fiercely invaded for the materials of this aforesaid "superstructure.' But although not a work calculated, in our opinion, to elevate the present literary fame of the author, there is throughout such a generous vein of sentiment, such a liberality and kindliness of feeling evident, that we reflect with pleasure upon what must be the amiable character of the man. The criticisms on our poets are not recondite, but they all show a just and proper appreciation of their merits. Milton is not underrated because he was a republican, nor Beattie over-lauded because he wrote against Hume. Still there is a bias in most of the sentiments of the author towards things as they are and were, and considerable veneration to rank and title; and, next to the aristocracy of the mind, Sir Egerton Brydges appears to do homage to the aristocracy of descent. The man who could boast of a long line of ancestors would meet from him with almost as much respect as the author of the "Fairy Queen." Thus he gives a biography of Sir George Vesey; he gives you his genealogy, he tells you what a very clever person was Sir George, his acquirements how vast!—his intellect how comprehensive!-his sufferings how dignified! -and the only reason for conveying this information is that Sir George Vesey was a baronet, and that he succeeded to the family estate much incumbered. We would, however, recommend "Imaginative Biography" to our readers on one ground alone, though it has other claims, viz., it being the production of a richly stored and peculiar mind.

Appendix to the Third and Last Volume of Finden's Landscape and Portrait Illustrations of Lord Byron's Works. By W. Brockedon.

Mr. Brockedon has performed his task with considerable ability. The appendix is written in a style of much elegance, and is distinguished by good taste. He has evidently consulted all the many writers who have made Byron their eternal theme, and his selections are at once judicious and just. Of the series of prints to accompany which this appendix is intended, we have often had occasion to speak. The work has deserved the very enormous patronage it has received. There is no instance of a publication better sustained from the commencement-indeed, its merit increased from number to number, the last being decidedly better than the first. The work now forms three magnificent volumes, at a price so exceedingly low as to surprise even now, when it is named in one sum, instead of being broken into small parts of half a crown each. Messrs. Finden merit the highest praise-they have already established their names among the most distinguished engravers of the country-the public confidence is with them-and if they do not permit success to relax their energies, they will find their exertions amply repaid by the public-the true patrons of art as well as literature.

Irish National Tales. The O'Briens and the O'Flahertys.

By Lady Morgan.

It is some years since we read one of Lady Morgan's novels. Of late, she has preferred publishing works of fiction under the title " history," and labouring to put upon the offspring of her own vivid imagination the

May, VOL. XLI. NO. CLXI.

H

borrowed, but ill-fitting garb of truth. Her Irish novels, however, will still be perused with exceeding delight, although her predecessor, Miss Edgeworth, and her successors, Banim and others, have outstripped her in the race, in which at one period she was second to none but the venerated lady whose name we have mentioned. If Lady Morgan held her course between the stern truth of the author of "The Absentee" and the rude eloquence of the author of "The Nowlans," she possessed advantages which both of them are without. She wrote with the vivacity of a woman of the world, anxious indeed to display her own wit and penetration, but thus at the same time amusing and interesting her readers; rendering the type of the printer subservient to her own likings or dislikings, and employing his ink to daub her adversaries; but still even thus-so skilfully did she work-commanding attention and exciting pleasure. Those who, like ourselves, have almost forgotten Mi Ladi, will do well to peruse the O'Briens and the O'Flahertys; the topics of which it treats are not all changed-the persons it attacks not all departed— and they will find in its descriptions of Irish manners, and in the arrangement of the wild and passionate story, sufficient to repay them for again taking up and proceeding through the volumes four.

By an Old Man.

The book is said to be

Bubbles from the Brunnens of Nassau. The "Old Man" is, it appears, not an old man. the production of Major Head, whose "gallop over the Pampas" was so deservedly popular. The volume before us is full of pleasantness, neither very witty nor very deep, but one of the most " readable" publications of. modern times. The writer professes not to go far beneath the surface of things; but what he sees and hears no one can describe better. There is a rich vein of humour running through every page. The reader may buy his book, and so obtain health, which is often born of enjoyment, without the trouble or expense of a trip to the Brunnens of Nassau.

La Peste.

This is a poem by Guido Sorelli, the author of "I Miei Pensieri," and an Italian translator of Milton. It is " done into English," and well done, by Miss Pardoe. Unfortunately, the adoption of blank verse, and the imitation of a Miltonian style of phraseology, have compelled the fair translator to express herself occasionally with a little diffuseness. But the great and the best merit-of feeling and understanding the author-it is but just to award to Miss Pardoe. The contagion that devastated the north of Europe, and destroyed with such fury the Polish and Russian army, is the unpoetic subject chosen by Sorelli. The city of Warsaw is the scene of action; and the tyranny of Russia, and the dispensations of Providence, the favourite and appropriate themes of the poet. With the exception of some few trite passages, the poem may be pronounced as a very beautiful production. Unfortunately, no opinion unillustrated by quotations can give an adequate view of a style, and limited space forbids that we should quote. The following, however, we cannot refrain from giving ::

"To forsake,

In our bright years, a valley gay with flowers,
Bosom'd in swelling hills, where sun and shade
Succeed each other like to pleasant thoughts."

This is true poetry, and there are a hundred passages of equal beauty.

Curiosities of Literature.

The veteran D'Israeli, who has garnered up the treasures of past centuries, and acted as the literary pioneer for future generations, is one of those unquestionable characters that it would seem almost presumptuous to say a word in his praise. Yet, on again looking through his works as they are now making their appearance in a new and ninth edition, we

cannot avoid expressing our admiration of such patient industry, such untiring research, and such a philosophical mind to apply their results, as the work before us exhibits. But, as the author himself elegantly and eloquently says in his preface-"The writer of half a century has outlived his critics; and, alas! has survived those whom he once had an ambition to please. Praise cannot any longer extend his celebrity, and censure cannot condemn what has won the reward of public favour. Such a writer may venture to talk of himself as one of a former generation, and may be said to enjoy a sort of posthumous reputation." But still a new era has sprung up since Mr. D'Israeli first wrote to instruct and to be admired. Such of those as have not yet read or do not possess (for it is not a book to be read and then shelved) the "Curiosities of Literature," have now an opportunity of purchasing, in monthly volumes, this necessary companion to all who are ambitious of extending their knowledge beyond the mere rudiments of letters. No subject is left untouched, and none touched that is not adorned. The volumes published are neatly bound and well printed.

Lays and Legends of various Nations. By W. I. Thoms. Part II., France; Part III., Ireland.

We have already adverted to the first, or German collection of popular tales pertaining to this series; and have now to notice the progress of the interesting design they are intended to fulfil. The development of the plan shows increasing resources on the part of the editor, who has been so fortunate, in the Irish portion of his subject, as to secure the contributive aid of that superlative legendary-layman, Mr. Crofton Croker. In the same branch of the series it is also curious to observe the active presence of another “clarum nomen," that of Thomas Steele, the most honest of agitators, the most disinterested of disquietists! This latter gentleman appears to have furnished certain “ Tales of the Palatines," a German colony established in the county of Limerick somewhat above a century ago, and still preserving various notable signs of their origin; while the hand of Croker is visible in many a specimen of humour or pathos throughout the Hibernian fasciculus. It is vastly pleasant, by the by, to contemplate this changed aspect of worthy Tom, as it comes stealing o'er our vision,-to admire this his metamorphosis from the "recitator acerbus" of noisy hustings and political meetings to the genial and hearty story-teller of these little fireside pages; and we owe some thanks to Mr. Thoms for having supplied the arena into which he has been drawn out so agreeably in a new character. We have no room to quote from this varied repertory of traditionary stores, to which, therefore, we content ourselves with making a general reference.

National Lyrics and Songs for Music. By Mrs. Hemans.

A volume from the pen of Mrs. Hemans cannot fail to be a welcome guest at our table; but we are especially bound to notice this as a publication of the Irish press. The fact is as strange as true. Until within the last few years, we looked for nothing in the shape of literature from the sister kingdom, unless it assumed the form of party controversy or religious tract. Yet here we have a volume of delicious poetry from one of the greatest and most popular writers of the age; thanks to Messrs. Curry and Co., the active and enterprising publishers of Dublin, who have done more within ten or twelve years to rescue Ireland from the reproach of having no home-literature, than had been done during the previous century by all the Irish booksellers put together. The "Dublin University Magazine," which is issued by the same house, would do honour to either England or Scotland; it cannot now be said that Ireland is unwilling or unable to support her proper station in the world of literature-thanks again, we