THE ANCIENT WORLD.* PROFESSOR ANSTED's sketches of the ancient world fill up a great desideratum in modern literature. Modesty and diffidence, it has been justly remarked, should be the guides of those who seek to penetrate into the ages antecedent to man and his works. But they have not hitherto been made so. Scientific geologists have been too much occupied with details, to have had either the leisure or will to popularise the result of their labours, or to indulge in any generalities, that did not come within the province of their immediate researches. The facts contained in the natural history of creation were thus left to be developed by more showy, but utterly hypothetical writers of a pseudo-scientific school. Professor Ansted has done great service to the cause by taking the subject out of such dangerous hands, and while he has treated it in a sufficiently popular style to render the facts comprehensible to all; he has, at the same time, adhered to that severity of detail and deduction, which the true philosopher ought never to lose sight of, however inviting, however wondrous may be the field of his investigation; and none can be more so than the varying phases of the ancient world, and its surprising and almost fantastic creations! Professor Ansted remarks, very truly, that if it is thought discreditable to an educated person to be unacquainted with the history of the people of his own country, it ought surely to be considered of importance that he should possess some degree of knowledge also concerning this much wider range of history. We quite agree with this view of the subject. The history of man, although distinct, is still inseparable, from that of the earth, his abode. The mightiest revolutions of the latter have taken place, for the most part, in a time anterior to the first appearance of man on its surface; and laws and principles of nature were at that period in operation which have since either totally ceased, or have changed their character yet, in a history of the origin and progress of the human race, that of the earth cannot be passed over in perfect silence. Its changes and periods form a necessary part of the great chain of causes and effects, established and conducted by the mighty Being, whose power gave existence to all; and we feel assured that the time is not far distant when the History of Creation will constitute an essential elementary and introductory chapter to history in general. 1 ZAMBA, THE AFRICAN KING AND SLAVE.+ THE Life and Adventures of the African prince and slave are replete with deep and sad interest. It is a genuine and interesting sketch of African domestic manners. When Sheikh Zamba-for it is absurd to dignify those little patriarchal independencies of a dozen villages or less, by the title of kingdoms The Ancient World; or, Picturesque Sketches of Creation. By D. T. Ansted, M.A., F.R.S., F.G.S., Professor of Geology in King's College, London. John van Voorst. †The Life and Adventures of Zamba, an African Negro-King; and his Experience of Slavery in South Carolina, written by himself, Corrected and Arranged by Peter Neilson. Smith, Elder, and Co. -after being taught by a scheming American slaver to read his Bible, and rendered discontented with wife and home, was induced to visit, with gold and followers, the more civilised America; we do not know which feeling pains us most, pity for the decoyed, or indignation at the decoyer. The sequel of his history is soon told. Captain Winton seizes upon the travelling prince, his gold and his followers, converts the gold to his own uses, and consigns the human beings to slavery, converting living flesh also into the same ambitioned dross. This may be imagined to be a thing impossible in the times we live in. Not at all. Zamba could speak English, could explain his case on his arrival at Charleston, the city of an imaginary civilised people; but no one would believe him, and the "law" of the country does not receive the oath or the asseveration of a race to whom the rights of man are denied. The prince became a slave, and lived a life of painful toil and unmerited persecution. But the illgained gold did not prosper with the inhuman captain, he became a pauper, and was ultimately killed in a duel. Zamba recovered, more than he deserved, his wife, whom he had so shamefully abandoned-and he so prospered in his education, as to be able to communicate to the public these particulars of an eventful life, which is truly adapted to shame (if any thing could produce so desirable an effect) the Americans of the southern states, out of their atrocious trade in human beings. HOME INFLUENCE.* ONE of a class of works which recommend themselves rather for the lessons which they convey than for the dramatic interest of the narrative. Mrs. Hamilton has a seraphic gentleness of admonition, a sweet serenity of disposition, and an unapproachable wisdom in all that refers to domestic conduct and happiness. There are, at the same time, other charming people in the story, who illustrate, as it is intended they should, the virtues which flow from true Christian piety. The authoress is well known for her perception of character, her graceful diction, and earnest feeling; and these attributes shine more prominently than ever in these beautifully conceived volumes, which cannot fail to be as acceptable, as it is certain they will prove advantageous, to many a domestic circle. MANTELL'S GEOLOGY OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT.+ WITH Mr. Mantell's little book in his pocket, the pedestrian tourist may, in an excursion of less than a week, explore the curiosities and enjoy the scenery of our English Crimea; and, what is of far more importance, at the same time receive a great practical lesson in geological science, returning home with an instructive series of the organic remains of the island. The geological phenomena presented by the Isle of Wight * Home Influence: a Tale for Mothers and Daughters. 2 vols. Groombridge and Sons. tGeological Excursions round the Isle of Wight, and along the adjacent Coast of Dorsetshire; illustrative of the most interesting Geological Phenomena and Organic Remains. By Gideon A. Mantell, Esq., LL.D., F.R.S., &c. Henry G. Bohn. are familiar to all naturalists as of the most interesting description, and as unique in this country; and it is to be hoped no tourist will think of a trip thither without availing himself of the great additions to his intellectual amusement which is afforded to him by this admirable guidebook. MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. UNDER the title of a Financial, Monetary, and Statistical History of England from the Revolution of 1688 to the Present Time, Mr. Thomas Doubleday, author of the "True Law of Population," &c., has indited a philippic against ministers of state, fund-holders, and all who differ from him in his particular views of monetary matters. The Rev. T. D. Gregg, Chaplain of St. Nicholas within, Dublin, has attempted to show, in a very able work, designated Free Thoughts on Protestant Matters, that a system of legislation on church principles would be the panacea for the evils of Ireland and the empire. The work is powerfully written by the well known and distinguished predicator, and if church principles could only bring about divine principles, the proposed panacea would be undoubtedly adequate and satisfactory. A curious little work has fallen into our hands, having for title simply Political Fame, but which treats of such interesting subjects as literary statesmen and political novelists, as well as of more hackneyed themes, as the responsibility of politicians, Young England, Radicalism, Right and Might considered historically, &c. &c. There is a good deal of (originality in the work, and a vein of speculative wisdom, which, if not always founded upon sound data, or emanating from a matured judgment, has at least the merit of being suggestive and amusing. Dr. Bushnan has published under the title of Observations on Hydropathy, what is in reality a guide to the principal cold water establishments of Germany. Whether there still remain many to follow such igni fatui, and avail themselves of such a guide, is as doubtful as the prolonged existence of the establishments themselves. Mr. George Finlay, a name well known to all who are familiar with modern Greece, has, we strongly suspect, in his little pamphlet, On the Site of the Holy Sepulchre, settled a long discussed question in the topography of Jerusalem, and that by strictly historical evidence, that Constantine fixed on the true site, as at present traditionally handed down. It is to be regretted that Mr. Finlay had not considered Mr. Cox Dautrey's views, as given in his recent little work, the "Bible in Palestine," as well as Dr. Robinson's; both being opposed to the present admitted site. The Essays on Human Rights and their Political Guarantees, by E. P. Hurlbut, Counsellor at Law in the city of New York, are ushered in under the auspices of a great name-George Combe-and are, if possible still further recommended by their own intrinsic and philosophic value, and a cheap form of publication, which places them within the reach of all classes. Mr. Joseph Adshead is a most persevering opponent of the existing prison system. He has followed up his greater work, Prisons and Prisoners, which we noticed some time back, by a pamphlet entitled, Our Present Gaol System deeply depraving to the Prisoner, and a Positive Evil to the Community. As this is no doubt the case, it is sincerely to be hoped that Mr. Adshead's perseverance in denouncing the system may ultimately be productive of ameliorations. The Memoirs of the Life, Writings, and Character of Henry Hatcher, author of the History of Salisbury, is, we believe, to form a part of a more interesting work, which we are happy to see is forthcoming, The Autobiography of John Britton, F.S.A. The Pilgrim of India, an Eastern Tale, and other Poems, by James Hutchinson, Esq., published by Mr. Pickering, is a work that merited a notice of more than a few lines. It is, in fact, a poem full of feeling and information. -The Vision of Peace, by W. J. Edge, Rector of Waldringfield, Suffolk, also deserves a kindly notice, for the objects more than for the execution of the little poem. Haisborough Hall is a strange, we had almost said an extraordinary, production. The hero," Hunks," having quarrelled with his father on account of his love for a poor girl, is sent to sea in a slave-ship, is nearly murdered by the crew, but finds refuge in Brazil, where he lives to become an infidel and a misanthrope, and then returns to England to put such felicitous principles in action as a "parish officer." We almost suspect a satire at the bottom of this "heroic" poem. SERIALS.-We have seen, with infinite pleasure and gratification, some of the early numbers of the New Testament, illustrated by Heath, and publishing in 2s. parts, by Messrs. Chapman and Hall. It will be a truly superb work, there is no falling off as it proceeds in the execution, and, as for choice of subject for illustration, it can have no rival. We have also received the second and third numbers of Dr. Trail's new translations, and Houlston's and Stoneman's new illustrated edition of the Works of Josephus. This is also a most splendid work, and does honour to the spirit and enterprise of its publishers. We hope to notice the work at length as it proceeds. The publication of the collective edition of Mr. G. P R. James's works has devolved itself upon the house of Parry, Blenkarn, and Co., who have just issued the eleventh volume, comprising the admirable tale of "The Gentleman of the Old School." Mr. Hurst has commenced the publication of a Juvenile Library, to be entirely written, it appears, by a pen well versed in that particular line-that of Captain Marryat. It is sufficient, after such an intimation, to tell our young friends that the first shilling number opens with the "Children of the New Forest," illustrated by Master Frank Marryat. Two new Atlases have been commenced at the same time in numbers, one by Mr. Wyld, the well-known geographer, in folio, at 1s. 6d., the other by Mr. Sharpe, in 4to., and published at 1s. by Messrs. Chapman and Hall. Mr. Sharpe's maps present a very novel feature, and we are inclined to think a very important improvement in corresponding in their scale, one with the other. It is surprising what false notions are imbibed by young people of the comparative extent of countries, by the habit of reference to maps upon varying scales. Besides, it led to national absurdities. French Atlases have always their own provinces twice the size of China, and the United States Atlases are devoted one-half to the "States," such being given in imposing magnitude, and the other half to the rest of the world, every country of which falls into insignificance by the side of a single "State." We have received a third volume of An Ecclesiastical Biography, by Walter F. Hook, D.D., vicar of Leeds, and although we have not had an opportunity of examining the preceding volumes, still we can see that the work is in every respect one of an important and comprehensive character, and which contains, or is to contain, the lives both of ancient fathers and of distinguished modern Divines, of all classes and persuasions. Dr. W. H. Robertson of Buxton has commenced the publication of his Treatise on Diet and Regimen, in quarterly parts. This new edition is materially improved and adapted to the present state of knowledge. The Parlour Library, which is to supply novel readers with works at the extraordinary low price of one shilling, has opened with The Black Prophet, a Tale of the Irish Famine, by William Carleton. The subject is ill-chosen and terribly Irish. The sad realities of suffering forbid the martyrdom of fiction, but the author has accomplished his task with his wellknown power and ability. The monthly volume of Bohn's Standard Library contains the first volume of a most important work: The History of Painting in Italy, translated from the Italian of the Abate Luigi Lanzi, by Thomas Roscoe.-The second volume of the Select Writings of Robert Chambers, is still occupied with the familiar and humorous essays of this fertile and popular author. The complete work will certainly be a deserving monument to a deserving man. Four parts of the completion of the Chronicles of the Bastille, illustrated by Robert Cruikshank, have come to hand; the story appears to be full of stirring interest, but we must defer a notice of it till completed.-A Comprehensive Tune-Book, edited by H. I. Cauntlett, musical doctor, appears to possess high claims of merit, character, and cheapness. It is to be published monthly by Houlston and Stoneman.-Part I. of Diseases of the Million, with antipathic indications, is rather out of our path, nor is the principle of publishing medicine for the masses a judicious one. THE NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE AND HUMORIST. CONTENTS FOR JUNE. THOR OF 66 PAGE THE PRIEST OF ISIS. AN EGYPTIAN ROMANCE. BY THE AU- 127 136 I KNOW THOU ART NOT CHANGED TO ME. By J. E. CARPENTER, A GRAYBEARD'S GOSSIP ABOUT HIS LITERARY ACQUAINTANCE. STREET HARMONIES AND DISCORDS FAMINE'S BURNT OFFERING. BY CYRUS REDDING, ESQ. ADRIEN ROUX; OR, THE ADVENTURES OF A COURIER. BY DUD- A VISIT TO THE GRAVES OF THE FOLLOWERS HORSA. BY THOMAS WRIGHT, M.A. EXHIBITION OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY SIR GEORGE SIMPSON'S NARRATIVE OF A JOURNEY ROUND THE THE OPERA-JENNY LIND By Leigh LITERATURE :-A Year of Consolation. By Mrs. Butler (late 219 242 244 to 252 TO CORRESPONDENTS. Mr. AINSWORTH begs it to be distinctly understood that no Contributions whatever sent him, either for the NEW MONTHLY or AINSWORTH'S MAGAZINES will be returned. All articles are sent at the risk of the writers, who should invariably keep copies. |