to keep attention awake through four thick volumes; and we wished that, in this instance, M. LA FONTAINE had waived his usual custom of including two generations in his narrative.

Art. 16. Les Etourderies, &c. i. e. The Blunders, or the Two Brothers, translated from the German of AUGUSTUS LA FONTAINE

by M. Breton. 4 Vols. 12mo. Paris. 1810. Imported by

Dulau. Price il.

This work exhibits the defects and the merits which are prevalent in all the author's writings. The story interests by the simplicity with which it is related, and by the generous and enterprizing character of Edward, the chief personage. He shines, however, by disclaiming paternal restriction, while his brother is rendered despicable by the fear of disobeying his father. We think that it is mischievous to call Emma an angel of innocence,' after she has been known to have conducted herself in the most culpable manner; or to permit the amiable Emilia to utter such sentiments as the following: (Vol. 2. p.208.) I made no enquiries, because I suffer enough from my own misfortunes, without grieving for those of others.'

We would also submit it to the consideration of translators from the German, whether a slight change in the names would not increase the harmony of their pages; since, in the present instance, "when tongues speak sweetly," then they cannot speak the names of Edward Schlauch, or Émilia Sandhagen; and a reader whose ear is attached to the "concord of sweet sounds" may feel less anxiety for the welfare of these personages, than he would have experienced if they had received more musical appellations.

Art. 17. Les deux Fiancées, &c. i. e. The Two Brides-elect, by AUGUSTUS LA FONTAINE. Translated from the German by M. De Propiac. 2d Edition. 5 Vols. 12mo. Paris: 1810. Imported by Dulau. Price 11. 5s.

In almost all LA FONTAINE's novels we meet with an excentric but benevolent uncle, who, after having related the history of his own youth, undertakes to guide that of the hero. The uncle in the present tale describes too minutely the blue eyes and blue ribbons which his mistress possessed some twenty years ago;' and he transacts nothing without a stratagem;' assuming false names, and giving them to his daughter, from whom he also conceals the real title of her lover. Augustus and Francesco are equally mysterious; since the former pretends that he is grieving for a dead friend of his father when he loses his mistress, and the latter personates a deaf and dumb patient, in order that he may obtain the disclosure of a secret.

We find, however, some pleasing characters and much variety of jucident in this tale.

Art. 18. Barneck et Saldorf, &c. i. e. Barneck and Saldorf, or the Triumph of Friendship. By AUGUSTUS LA FONTAINE. Translated into French by J. B. B. E *

12mo. 3 Vols.

Paris. 181c. Imported by Dulau. Price 158. We do not consider this as one of M. LA FONTAINE's happiest efforts, since novel-readers seldom take much interest in a seven years' courtship; or feel very acutely for a lover who returns, pale and ema

ciated,

ciated, with his body bent, his eyes sunken, and his brow wrinkled,' to claim his mistress at the end of such a period. The death of Saldorf is believed too readily by his friends, while the reader is not deceived for a moment by the reports which they so implicitly credit. We suspect, however, that this work has received some injury in the translation; and that the character of Frazer has been made inconsistent and unintelligible by an imperfect acquaintance with the language of the original.

Art. 19. Henri, &c.; i. e. Henry, or Friendship; translated from the German of AUGUSTUS LA FONTAINE, by Madame, Author of A Winter in London. 12mo. 2 Vols. Paris. 1811. Imported by Dulau.

Price 10s.

Although we blame the sudden attachments and instantaneous intimacies which M. LA FONTAINE's personages are liable to contract, yet the effects of an affectionate and confiding friendship are here painted in a touching and able manner; and we can recommend this little work as possessing much interest, and inculcating generous though perhaps romantic sentiments.

Art. 20.

Charles de Montfort, &c. By Madame De ***. 2 Vols. 12mo. Paris. 1811. Imported by Dulau. Price 10s. This novel is presented to the public as a first attempt, and it is one of the most pleasing and promising which we have lately seen. The noble character of Charles de Montfort is well contrasted with that of the tender but unstable Edward; and, throughout the work, much feeling and an accurate knowlege of human nature are displayed. The history of Madame de St. Geran is, however, irrelevant to the principal story; and the conclusion, though simple and affecting, is disfigured by a trait of childish superstition Art. 21. Stanislas Zamoski, &c.; i. é. Stanislas Zamoski, or the illustrious Poles. By Madame BARTHÉLEMY-HADOT, Author of Clotilde de Hapsburg, &c. 12mo. 4 Vols. Paris. 1811. Imported by De Boffe. Price 11.

In the beginning of this work, we find a fulsome eulogium on Bonaparte, to whom the author pretends that posterity will erect altars. The incense of Madame BARTHÉLEMY-HADOT cannot, however, survive to blaze on them, since her romance is so devoid of interest and of merit that throughout the perusal of it we pitied ourselves more than the distressed (Stanislas, and felt no other anxiety than to arrive at the conclusion.

Art. 22.

La Prise de Jericho, &c. ; i. e. The Capture of Jericho, or the Sinner converted. By Madame CorTIN, Author of Claire d'Albe, &c. 12mo. Paris.-London, Colburn. Price 2s. 6d. 1811. Here is a new edition of a performance which we have been concerned to see bound together with some copies of "Elizabeth, or the Exiles in Siberia," since no two productions of the same pen were ever more dissimilar; and La Prise de Jericho' contains enough poison to counteract all the good that might have been gathered from the moral and beautiful tale which was made its quon

dam

dam companion. This poison consists in the indelicacy of several
descriptions and passages; and it induces us to warn our youthful
readers against a perusal of the work, though its subject is scrip
tural, and it exhibits an ingenious imitation of the oriental style,
with an animated picture of those sentiments and manners by which
the Jewish nation was formerly characterized.

Art. 23.

Ordre et Désordre, &c. i. e. Order and Disorder, or the
Two Friends. By HENRY V.......... N. 2 Vols. 12mo. Paris.
1811. Imported by De Boffe. Price 10s.

This amusing and animated performance displays, in the contrast
between two friends, the superiority of those pleasures which result
from the discharge of duty, or combine with it, over such as are
merely selfish, or morally culpable. The scenes of disorder are, how-
ever, described with more accuracy than the occasion required; and
too much trick is employed in rewarding the virtues of Dorvigny,
and the repentance of St. Leon.

BIOGRAPHY.

Art. 24. Choix de Biographie, &c. i. e. Biographical Selections, an-
tient and modern, for the Use of Youth: or Notices respecting the
most celebrated Men of various Nations, with their Portraits neatly
engraved (in outline) from the best Originals. By C.P. LANDON,
Painter, &c. 12mo. 2 Vols. Paris. 1810. Imported by
Dulau. Price 11. 8s. Boards.

M. LANDON's Historical Gallery of celebrated Men was announced
in the Appendix to our xlixth Vol. p.544. (N. S.); and, as he rightly
observes, that work being much too voluminous and costly for the use
of young people, he has formed the present abridgement of it for their
benefit. It is still an elegant production, in which the biographical
sketches, though necessarily very brief, are written with simplicity,
and are much embellished by the portraits affixed to each. Some of the
heads, such as those of Mohammed and Confucius, are evidently ben
trovati: but others are well drawn from antique sculpture and original
paintings, and confer great interest on the publication.

In the account of Dr. Franklin a ludicrous error occurs by assigning
the year 1705 (1725) to his acquaintance with Sir Isaac Newton,
when the Doctor's birth had been accurately dated in 1706. High
praise is given to the talents of Garrick; whose remains were depo-
sited in Westminster Abbey, where the ashes of heroes, and of men
whose talents have rendered them celebrated, repose by the side of
those of their sovereigns.' This idea is repeated when speaking of
Shakspeare; of whom it is said that his most distinguished pieces are
Othello, the Merry Wives of Windsor, (here improperly rendered les
Commères, or Gossips,) Hamlet, Macbeth, Julius Cesar, Henry IV.
and Richard III.; and it is added the most sublime beauties sparkle
in his plays, by the side of the most ridiculous extravagancies, and
never did genius shew itself more unequal; never did it fall so low,
after having taken so elevated a flight.'-Our great lexicographer and
moralist Johnson is strangely overlooked.

To the REMARKABLE PASSAGES in this Volume.

N. B. To find any particular Book, or Pamphlet, see the
Table of Contents, prefixed to the Volume.