nounced in the book as a most skilful, astrologer, and who only in 1463 was laureat in philosophy; the geographical tables of Nicolo Doni being made about the year 1468, or not much sooner, as I shall prove in its place and finally, the unequivocal subscription to the works of Ovid-printed in 1471-in which we read, that Baldassare Azzoguido, a citizen of Bologuo, first introduced the art of printing into his country:-all these objections are to me SO many rocks which I have not courage to run against, nor do I feel myself strong enough to surmount them.

'But if I agree with the beforementioned authors in acknowledging that the date of the edition of Ptolemy has been altered, 1 cannot yet subscribe to the opinion of those who (with the exception only of De Bure refer it to a much more distant epoch, and consider it to be a work of the end of the 15th century:-taking from it absolutely the precedence over the other Italiau editions of the Grecian geographer, printed at Venice in 1475, and at Rome in 1478: so that, instead of maturely examining whe ther it may at least retain the honour of being a first edition, and perhaps one of the most precious monuments in which the art of engraving is to be seen exercised in printed works, they all agree in depriving it even of this prerogative.

to repeat here, from the ensuing equally faithful account of it. This brings us therefore back again to the spot, from whence we may be said to have travelled not whol ly without amusement and profit.

Whenever executed, this volume is anquestionably a curiosity; as affording an iliustration of the early state of the graphic arts: * but the signatures alone prevent our

Perhaps the most valuable Latin edition of Ptolemy is that published at Rome in 1478, by BUCKINCK, a German artist'vir apprime eruditus.' This impression was begun to be executed by SWEYNHEYM, who appears to have taken it in hand as early as the year 1472-but after three years labour bestowed upon it, he died: A. D. 1475. The dedicatory epistle of this edition has been thought to prove that Sweynheym was the inventor of the PLATES -aumum primum ad hanc doctrinam capesseudam applicuit, subinde mathematicis adhibitis viris, QUEMADMODUM TABULIS ENFIS IMPRIMERENTUR, EDOCUIT,' &c. Consult the note at p. 143 of Heinecken's dee, &c. Maittaire and De Bure, have omitted to notice this rare and precious edition; at present wanting in the SPENCER Collection-but there is a good account of it in the Edit. Rom. p. 229, and a still better one in the Bibl. Crevenn. vol. v. p. 'Let the reader suspend awhile his opi14-18: edit. 1775. The latter part of Crenions, and follow my investigations; in ven's description is here submitted to the which I propose to myself, by observations reader; as it hears upon the question on ancient typography with the history of of the legitimacy of the date of the the time in which the editors of the book above impression. One may draw an flourished, to answer all the objections hi argument from the preface of this Roman therto made;-content to be set right if 1 impression of 1478, (says Crevenna) that go astray, or to quit the field if he can sucthe Bologna edition of 1462, is in all proba-. ceeed in new discoveries that shall enlight-bity posterior to it. First, it should seem en me: it being always fair and praiseworthy to yield ingenuously to the truth, and to terminate a contention in virtuous friendship.

I present, in the first place, the very accurate description of the book examined by me at leisure in Venice :-thanks to the inexpressible courtesy of the celebrated keeper of the Library of St. Mark, Don Jacobo Morelli!-who procured for me, for a few days, the unique copy, which is there preserved in the Casa Foscarini at the Carmelites; and was moreover pleased to assist me with his abilities in a comparison of it, with the other editions of Ptolemy, the Vincentine and Roman, necessary to the investigation proposed.' P. IV.-VI.

that such a preface is better adapted to a first, than to a second, impression-exhibiting similar plates. Secondly, if Sweyuheym, in this preface, be correctly desig nated as the first engraver of charts, the Bologna edition, with copper plates, could not have been more ancient by 16 years, And to prove that the art of engraving maps upon copper was not known before the year in which this Roman impression appeared, it must be remembered that the Vicenza edition of 1475 appeared without these charts!-and it would have been at once disadvantageous and disgraceful for the printer of the Vicenza impression to have omitted them, if a previous publication of them had existed. To this it may Then follows a very particular and elabo-be replied that, in the original, the auterate description of the volume-unnecessary redent, to which the words ad hanc doctriuan capessendam' refer, is extremely doubtful, if not obscure; and that Sweyuheyma's teaching other men how they

See a particular description of this rare edition at p. 191, &c. ante.

6

The maps are 20 in number. the second of these Mr. D. favours us with an extremely curious fac-simile of Scotland: on which he jocosely observes, that a compliment seems to be paid that country for its "sylvan honours,”. baving a large wood represented in it,that has not been repeated by many The ocean, subsequent geographers. with its fish, and a vessel of no small bulk, are represented below this delineation of Caledonia. The charts in

might print with copper plates,' does not necessarily make Sweynheym himself THE INVENTOR of the art of copper plate map printing. But the reader should probably consult Raidelius's Commentatio Critico-Lit teraria de Ptolemæi Geographia ejusque codicibus tam manuscriptis quam typis expressis. Norimb. 1794, 4to. cap. vii. * Sic.

classes of people in Strasburgh, at the time, and so far they are useful and gratifying; but, an equal number of characters which might have been authentic, as characters, (which these are not) of our own country, would have much more deeply interested us. We know, however, that there are ancient MSS. existing, in which some of the characters of Terence are delineated; as may be seen in M. d'Agincourt; and these may, possibly, have some tolerable claim to correctness.

We must now dismiss this volume, not without admiring the labour, and pains, and skill of the writer. We have to thank him for much pleasure enjoyed, and for much information received. That our pages constrain us to so small a selection of specimens, from among many that we had marked, must not be imputed to us as a fault ;-it is a resolution of the board, to which we submit with reluctance.

found himself comfortably seated on the rocks of Llanberris. But in later days, when commercial bagsmen begin to scour the country, the ambiguity of the sound induced his descendants to drop the suspicious denomination of Riders, and translate the word into English; when, not being well pleased with the sound of the thing, they substituted that of the quality, and accordingly adopted the name Headlong, the appropriate epithet of a waterfall.

This gentleman having, to the great grief of his maiden aunt, persuaded himself into a respect for literature, by occasionally taking a book into his hands, when he had no one with whom to share his bottle, becomes ambitious of being thought a philosopher, and a man of taste; for that purpose he assembles as many as he can of the same genera, to pass their Christmas with him at Head long Hall. The author introduces him in all the bustle of Hospitality; which in a secluded county situation, is so richly repaid by the sight of new faces, the sound of new voices, and the discussion of new topics. The variety of guests furnishes the author an opportu

logue to shew off the whims of the day, and this he contrives to enrich, by rendering the testimony of the classic writers subservient to his purpose, and complimenting each ironically in a variety of appropriate quotations.

Headlong Hall. 12mo. pp. 216, price 6s. Hookham, Jun. and Co. 1816. THIS is a mere sketch; but, evi-nity, in the most easy and playful diadently from the hand of a master, with whose manner, if we mistake not, the public is already acquainted. It satirises with good humoured asperity the theories on the perfectibility and the deterioration of the human race; to which also it annexes landscape-gardening, and craniology. The advocates of these respective systems are described as meeting at the house of a worthy Welsh 'squire, the etymology of whose name is thus explained:

The conversation among the gentlemen after dinner, would inevitably claim our notice, did not our politeness command an attendance on the ladies in the drawing room, in the first instance. We, there fore, take our seat at the elbow of Mr. Milestone, who has just opened his portfolio, for the edification and amusement of the Misses Tenorina, and Graziosa Chromatic, and Squire Head

This name may appear at first sight not to be truly Cambrian, like those of the Rices, and Prices, and Morgans, and Owens, and Williamses, and Evanses, and Parrys, and Joneses: but, nevertheless, the Headlongs claim to be not less genuine deriva-long; on whose grounds he has already

tives from the antique branch of Cadwallader, than any of the last named multiramified families. They claim, indeed, superior antiquity to all of them, and even to Cadwallader himself; for, a tradition has been handed down in Headlong Hall for some few thousand years, that the founder of the family was present in the deluge on the summit of Snowdon, and took the name of Rhaiader, which signifies a waterful, in consequence of his having accompanied the water in its descent or diminution, til he

cast a calculating eye, with respect to its capabilities; and to whom, of course, he will somewhat more particularly point out the various beauties of his plan for Lord Littlebrain's park.

"Mr. MILESTONE. This, you perceive, is the uatural state of one part of the grounds. There is a wood, never yet touched by the finger of taste; thick, intricate, and gloomy. Here is a little stream, dashing from stone to stone, and

overshadowed with boughs.

these untrimmed ders may precisely ascertain the obligations, which in this instance, society may be supposed to owe him, for this

MISS TENORINA. The sweet romantic

spot! how beautifully the birds must sing opposition of his practice to his precept, there on a summer evening.

MISS GRAZIOSA. Dear Sister! how can you endure the horrid thicket?

Mr. MILESTONE. You are right, Miss Graziosa: your taste is correct-perfectly en règle. Now, here is the same place corrected-trimmed-polished-decorated adorned. Here sweeps a plantation, in that beautiful regular curve: there winds a gravel walk: here are parts of the old wood, left in these majestic circular clumps, disposed at equal distances, with wonderful symmetry: there are some single shrubs scattered in elegant profusion: here is a Portugal laurel, there a juniper: here a lauristinus, there a spruce fir: here a Jarch, there a lilac: here a rhododendron, there an arbutus. The stream, you see, is become a canal: the banks are perfectly smooth and green, sloping to the water's edge and there is Lord Littlebrain rowing in an elegant boat.

SQUIRE HEADLONG. Magical, faith! Mr. MILESTONE. Here is another part of the grounds in its natural state. Here is a large rock, with the mountain-ash rooted in its fissures, overgrown as you see, with ivy and moss, and from this part of it bursts a little fountain, that runs bubbling down its rugged sides Now observe the metamorphosis. Here is the same rock, cut into the shape of a giant. In one hand he holds a horn, through which that little fountain is thrown to a prodigious elevation. In the other is a ponderous stone, so exactly balanced as to be apparently ready to fall on the head of any person who may happen to be beneath; and there is Lord Littlebrain walking under it.

we shall lay before them a portion of the lecture with which the craniologist obliged the party assembled at the celebration of the Christmas ball.

Here is the skull of a beaver; and that of Sir Christopher Wren. You observe, in both these specimens, the prodigious developement of the organ of constructiveness. Here is the skull of a bullfinch; and that of an eminent fidler. You may compare the organ of music.

Here is the skull of a tiger: You observe the organ of carnage. Here is the skull of a fox: You observe the organ of plunder. Here is the skull of a peacock, You observe the organ of vanity. Here is the skull of an illustrious robber, who after a long and triumphant process of depredation and murder, was suddenly checked in his career by means of a certain inherent quality in preparations of hemp, which, for the sake of perspicuity, I shall call suspensiveness...

Here is the skull of a turnspit, which, after a wretched life of dirty work, was turned out of doors to die on a dunghill. I have been induced to preserve it, in consequence of its remarkable similarity to this, which belonged to a courtly poet, who, having grown grey in flattering the great, was cast off in the same manner, to perish by the same catastrophe. . . .

...

"I would advise every parent who has the welfare of his sou at heart, to procure as extensive a collection as possible of the skulls of animals, and before determining on the choice of a profession, to compare with the utmost nicety their bumps and protuberances with those of the skull of his son. If the developement of the organ a giant before you go. of destruction point out a similarity beMr. MILESTONE. Good. I'll order tween the youth and the tiger, let him be down my little corps of pioneers."

SQUIRE HEADLONG. Mahomet!

Miraculous by
You shall cut me

The result of Mr. Milestone's descriptions, determining the Squire's ultimate determination to submit his domain to the hand of picturesque improvement; they commence their operations on the following morning; in the course of which, a serious disaster befalls the craniologist; he is rescued, however, from his danger by the deteriorationist; who perseveres in maintaining that the present degenerate race of men can do no good thing. In order that our rea

brought up to some profession (whether that of a butcher, a soldier, or a physician, may be regulated by circumstances), in which he may be furnished with a license to kill; as, without such license, the indulgerice of his natural propensity may lead to the untimely rescision of his vital thread, with edge of penny cord and vile reproach.' If he trace an analogy with the jackall, let all possible influence be used to procure him a place at Court, where he will infallibly thrive. If his skull bear a marked resemblance to that of a mag pie, it cannot be doubted that he will prove an admirable lawyer; and if with

this advantageous conformation be combined any resemblance to that of an owl, very confident hopes may be formed of his becoming a judge."

a prince, descended from the house of the Abbassides: not as a Mahometan of dignity, as verified by credentials enin London; and he had a companion titled to confidence. If he is not greatly vilified, his circumcision took place with him, who refused to submit to the rite. That companion was the cause of a report of the discovery of a great Lake, which, access might be obtained to the or inland sea, in the East of Africa, by iuterior, with little trouble;-it might have been true; had not certain moun

feebly developed in Mr. Cranium's skuil. The organ of gratitude appears only He refuses his daughter's hand to the man who has saved his life; and can see no difference between one person who knocks him down, and another who picks him up; excepting, that he would avoid the former, as a machine containing a peculiar catabulitive quality, "not consentaneous to his mode of plea-tains most maliciously stood in the way, surable existence." All difficulties, however, at length are removed; and the story concludes with a more than usual degree of bridal festivity at Headlong Hall; where, in the words of the author, a "spiritual metamorphosis of eight into four was effected by the clerical dexterity of the Reverend Doctor Gaster."

Voyages d'Ali Bey el Abbassi, &c. Travels of Ali Bey el Abassi, in Africa, and in Asia, during the years, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1806, and 1807. 3 vols. 8vo. Didot l'Ainé. Paris, 1814.

But

and reduced this inland Sea to little better than a horse-pond. · Ali Bey, however, answers to the interrogatories put to him when landing in Africa, that he is of Haleb-(Aleppo) in Scham (Syria.)-A country, distant far enough from the cognizance of the learned examiner at the port of Tangiers. That he visited Morocco, is thought credible; and he certainly was at Cairo. at Morocco, Tangiers, and elsewhere, we do not learn that his appearance was noticed among the Europeans resident there, whether as Cousuls, or otherwise : At Cairo, the fact was different; for the representatives of the THE moment the Prospectus of these watch the motions of this stranger; and foreign nations were sufficiently alert to Travels came to our hand, we allotted a they discovered that his pomposity was whole page to such a statement of their founded on no real property of his own; contents, as appeared to be called for by but, that his allowance was paid him the notice of a Tour so interesting, ex-by the Spanish Consul: in short, they tending through countries so generally set him down as a SPY of Buonaparte; inaccessible, and received from a quarter and we, who cannot affect to possess so unusual, and unexpected. The literary world, in general, entered into the same feelings, no less ardently than ourselves; and most parts of Europe awaited the appearance of these volumes with impatience and anxiety. The first edition was speedily exhausted at Paris.Here ends the favourable side of the story; to the question, whether they are the genuine productions of an enlightened traveller to the cities and places he describes ?-who, and what, is he?-how did he acquire his qualifications? how support his expence ? &c. we must hesitate in returning a reply.

Ali Bey was for a time in London: his Travels may be said to begin in London: who knew him, in that city? Certainly, he was known ;-but not as

VOL IV, Lit. Pan. No. 19, N. §. April 1.

better means of knowledge than they
had, are under the necessity of coincid-
ing in their opinion. As a Spy, then,
we consider him, when in London; and
as a Spy, when in the East.
He was
(probably) born under the Spanish Do-
coast of the Mediterranean. Many such
minion, and acquired his Arabic on the
adventurers, miss the employments they
Emperor and King.
once enjoyed under the most pacific!

It so happened, that on receiving these volumes, the Atlas was the first that presented itself. On cursorily running over the views, several of them appeared to be gross unlikenesses. Whoever is acquainted with the variety of authentic Travels which have lately been