Synchronistical Annals of the Kings and Prophets of Israel and Judah, and of the Kings of Syria, Assyria, Babylon, and Egypt, mentioned in the Scriptures, 4to. pp. 58.-This useful compendium is probably intended to bind up with the quarto commentaries, as Mant and Doyley's &c. Would it not be advisable to print an edition in a size more generally convenient, whether to stand on the student's shelf, or to lie on his table? Those, whose quarto Bibles are already bound, cannot of course make the same use of it as others, except as a separate book.

On the Paintings and Merits of Richard Wilson, R.A. and particularly on a fulllength portrait of S. H. Mortimer, A.R A. with lithograph, &c. By J. Britton, F.S.A.-In the space of four pages, Mr. Britton has given us an interesting account of two eminent painters of the English school, Wilson and Mortimer, and has accompanied his memoir with a lithograph of a full-length portrait of the latter, by Wilson, from a picture in Mr. Britton's possession. Of this picture, Sir Thomas Lawrence said, "that it was a beautiful and truly interesting work of art;" and we can also bear witness, in our inferior judgment, to the value of the picture, to the spirit of the design, the grace of the execution, and the fine harmony of the colouring. Considering that the history of two painters is connected with this picture, and also knowing its value as a work of art, we think it should be purchased for the National Gallery, where we hope the portraits of all our own painters will be found, beside their works. The account which Mr. Britton gives of Mortimer is interesting, and the truth of it is corroborated by accounts of him that we have heard from other quarters.

He had a fine imagination, and a dash of Salvator Rosa in his style, as well as thoughts. Some of his banditti are wonderfully picturesque and attractive. He had never paid much attention to colour, or at least not successfully, for his pictures are very opaque and heavy; and a clayey redness of hue pervades them. We think the late Mr. Payne Knight had some in his possession. Mortimer was very clever in other matters, and we have heard the late Dr. Henley of Rendlesham say, that Mortimer after supper, at the convivial table, would pour out a hundred or two of Hudibrastic verses without impediment. He died of decline, we are afraid promoted by a careless and indiscreet manner of life: too GENT. MAG. VOL. XIX.

have achieved any one very attractive work, but he was a man of genius, and his name will live.

The Last of the Barons. By the author of" Rienzi," &c. 3 vols.-This romance, the hero of which is the celebrated Earl of Warwick, the "King-maker," as he was called, is made up in a considerable measure with descriptions extracted from the old chronicles of the period. Many of these, curious as they undoubtedly are, are a great deal too long, and are brought in with too great frequency. Indeed, if each of the volumes had been curtailed by one-third of its dimensions, the work would have been decidedly improved. Although many of the scenes are drawn with much force and power, and incident and adventure abound, yet is there, notwithstanding, a deficiency of that continuous interest which is or ought to be the characteristic of every well-written romance. There is an attempt throughout the work also, which is very objectionable, to place the failings and vices of the higher classes in the most prominent point of view, while on the other hand, the virtues of the lower orders are brought forward on all occasions in the most exaggerated colours. An endeavour is also continually made to set these classes in opposition to each other, or rather, perhaps, to show that they must be so, the mischievous consequences of which it is scarcely necessary to enlarge upon. deed there is a great deal too much of what may be called the liberal jargon of the present day, running through the work; and, viewing these expressions on the mere grounds of taste alone, without any reference to the principles which they exhibit, we are surprised at their introduction, when so evidently out of place, by a practised writer.

In

As usual with modern novelists, the author cannot dispense with heraldry as an accessory, but commits all manner of blunders in his use of it. In one place he is so absurd as to speak of the arms of the Nevilles being "quartered with the Dun Bull." Not content with outraging all the science of blason, he must needs make a bull of the Dun Cow.

Ragland Castle. By Mrs. Thompson, author of" Anne Boleyn," 3 vols. 1843.

This is a beautiful tale. The scene is laid during the period of the great rebel. lion, and it is but rendering justice to Mrs. Thompson to say, that she has described the personages and events of that unhappy time with truth and fidelity. The character of the Royal Martyr, and 3 T

of some of his true-hearted and faithful adherents, is drawn with a very skilful touch, and with a degree of good feeling and sympathy alike creditable to the head and the heart of the authoress. The baseness and wickedness of the roundhead party, their cruelty, treachery, and perfidy, are described in glowing colours, and the true nature of the motives by which they were actuated is detected and exposed with plainness and force. The characters which are best described, and whose leading features are sustained throughout the whole course of the story, are perhaps those of Charles 1st, Blanche Somerset the heroine, Lord Lindsey, and Sir Edward Herbert, that true and faithful servant of the King, who has left so touching an account of the last moments of his murdered sovereign. There is, indeed, a delicacy and truthfulness in the authoress's delineations of these persons, which are alone sufficient to stamp her as a writer of no mean powers. Nor should we omit the beautiful character of the Lady Cicely Arundel, whose affection for the infant children who had been torn from her by the cruelty of the Puritans, is described in the most affecting manner. In more stirring scenes also, Mrs. T. is equally at home; for instance, the sieges of Wardour and Ragland, the accounts of which in these volumes are worthy of any pen. There is one defect which we hope the authoress will correct in any future work, the scene of which may be laid in a past age; we allude to the occasional use of modern conventional expressions and French words, which are quite out of keeping.

Miss Pen and her Niece; or, the Old Maid and the Young One. A Tale by Mrs. Stone, author of "The Art of Needlework," &c. 3 vols. 1842.It would be very wrong to judge of this work by its title, for instead of being what that might lead persons to imagine, a tale merely satirical and humorous, it is, in fact, a novel full of romantic interest and stirring adventure. Many of the scenes are laid in the north of England, in the beautiful country of the Lakes; and the authoress, who seems to be a native of that delightful region, has done full justice to its peculiar character. Many of her descriptions are very charming, and show that Mrs. Stone is completely imbued with the spirit and the feelings of a dweller amidst lakes and mountains. Nor is her power evinced only in painting the beauties of nature; she is equally successful in delineating human character. The picture of the excellent clergyman, the pastor of a secluded township in Cum.

berland, is a description which must go home to every well regulated mind, and will call forth the best feelings of our nature. We hope Mrs. Stone will not allow her pen to rest inactive, but will soon again employ it in another tale, whose scene shall be laid in the same romantic region.

Sketches of Churches, drawn on the Spot, and on Zinc, by H. E. Relton. Accompanied by short Descriptions. Parts 1.-IV. 4to.-We shall afford the best idea of this work by briefly reviewing its contents, which are not subjected to any particular arrangement, but occur as they have presented themselves to the notice of the author.

Beverstone, co. Gloucester.Of various styles, with a Norman porch, which is represented in a second plate.

Shipton Moyne, co. Gloucester.— Of late architecture, with square-headed windows.

Kemerton, co. Gloucester.-The interior of the groined porch; its perspective not very successful.

Crudwell, Wilts. Three handsome pointed perpendicular windows, but not otherwise remarkable. A second plate represents three panels of the manor pew, one of which is carved with the royal arms, temp. Hen. VIII. supported by the dragon and greyhound, with badges of the rose and pomegranate. (The author inaccurately calls the dragon a griffin, and speaks of Henry VII. but the pomegranate came in with Katharine of Arragon.)

1

Wantage, co. Berks. A large and handsome cross church; its central tower probably Norman. The effigy of Amicia lady Fitzwaryne, wife of Sir William Fitzwaryne, K.G., in this church, has been recently published in Hollis's Monumental Effigies.

Overbury, co. Worcester.-It has an elegant early-English chancel; and three lancet windows at the east end; but its exterior, in Mr. Relton's view, is chiefly remarkable for the ivy that covers it, whether to the advantage of the structure or no may be deserving of the consideration of the rural dean.

Bredon, co. Worcester.-Fine Norman portions, as the nave, western turrets, and doorway; a southern porch, or rather transept, for its walls are as high as those of the nave. A very remakable coffin-lid has been brought to light here. It is ornamented with a cross ragulée, and a crucifix thereon; above the Saviour's head are two doves, on either side of which are the heads of a man and his wife, of the period of Edward III. Of this Mr. Relton gives a plate. In this church was in

terred Dr. John Prideaux, Bishop of Worcester, who died during the Commonwealth.

Crowmarsh Gifford, co. Oxford.-A singularly plain Norman church of a single pace, without tower; and very much resembling, in its general features, the church at Hurley, co. Berks, engraved in our Magazine for May 1839.

Coates, co. Glouc.-Hanwell, co. Berks. -These are not specially remarkable.

Uffington, co. Berks-This is a fine and interesting specimen of early-English architecture, transepted, with an octangular tower rising from the centre.

Checkendon, co. Oxford.-Remarkable for an apsidal eastern termination; and for the Norman features of its interior, of which a view is also given.

East Hendred, Berks.- A good perpendicular village church.

Sparsholt, Berks.-The relative proportions of this edifice are very unsuccessfully represented. A second plate exhibits a fine Norman door.

Boxwell, co. Glouc. (two views).-A small church attached to a manor-house. It is worthy of notice as an example of that kind, but its present features are chiefly of modern addition. It has, however, one of those ancient bell turrets, terminating in a small spire, of which two specimens will be found in our Magazine for Aug. 1838, extracted from Mr. Walker's account of the two churches at Biddeston, Wilts.

Minchinhampton, co. Glouc.-Chiefly remarkable for its truncated spire, and a magnificent south transept window. The

view represents the church as it stood at the beginning of last year, since which the nave and chancel have been taken down, and, on a somewhat enlarged plan, are being rebuilt from designs of Mr. Forster, of Bristol.

Ozleworth, co. Glouc.--This church has in its centre an octangular tower, of Norman architecture. Whether its sides are unequal we can scarcely perceive from the view; but such is the case with Swindon, a similar structure, of very great curiosity, near Cheltenham, of which we know no other view but a small one in Davies's Cheltenham Guide. Mr. Relton gives an interior view of Ozleworth its plain chancel arch points to a very high antiquity.

Stone, co. Glouc. Merely neat and pretty.

Long Newnton, Wilts.-Small and insignificant; but inserted to preserve a memorial of the appearance of an old church, which has now been rebuilt.

Each subject is accompanied with descriptive letter-press, and some of the most important epitaphs. The work is not without its interest and value, though it cannot claim a very high place either for its artistical or architectural merits. The modesty of the author's claims must, however, disarm criticism; and we cordially thank him for the share he has taken in the task of illustrating our ecclesiastical antiquities, a study now so much more popular than it once was, when the Gen! tleman's Magazine almost stood alone in the pursuit of that object.

SALES OF PICTURES.

The collection of the late B. Hick, esq. has been sold by Mr. Winstanley at Manchester. The sale occupied four days; during the two first, the pictures, 110 in number, were disposed of; on the third, the 101 drawings; and on the fourth, the 184 engravings. On the 1st day, 59 pictures were distributed. After some small pic tures were knocked down, Stephanoff's Discovery obtained 507. 88.; Howard's Oberon and Titania, 501.; and his Numa Pompilius and Egeria (companion picture), 211.; Eastlake's I Contadini, 467. 4s.; C. R. Stanley's View at Amiens, 451. 38. There was considerable competition for some of the best pictures of the late William Liverseege, to whom Mr. Hick was a liberal patron. No fewer than nine pictures by this artist came in succession under the hammer, and most of them rea

The

lized very good prices. His Captain Macheath, which many regard as this artist's most finished picture, 777. 14s.; The Inquiry, 577. 158.; and The Benediction (a monk bestowing his blessing on a kneeling and veiled lady), 947. 10s. Black Dwarf, and The Popkins Family, 341. 13s. each; a sketch, Salvator Rosa in the Brigand's Cave, 167. 5s. 6d. ; another, The Widow, 171. 6s. 6d. ; and Travellers attacked by Banditti, Liverseege's first exhibition picture, seven guineas. His Ghost Story, the original sketch, was knocked down at 301. 9s. The remaining five pictures, of larger dimensions, and all by celebrated English masters, were, A beautiful Sunny Landscape, by Sir A. W. Calcott, R.A. 941. 10s.; a sketch on panel, by the late Sir David Wilkie, of John Knox administering the Sacrament at Calder House, being a sketch for a large

picture of this subject, 997. 158.; Linton's Return of a Greek Armament, the same amount; and Martin's extraordinary companion pictures, The Rivers of Bliss, and Pandemonium (six feet wide by four in height) each 941. 108.

On the second day, works by old masters were sold. A Madonna, by Sasso Ferrato, 817. 188.; Moses and the Midianite Shepherds, by Nicolo Poussin, 551. 138.; Cupid and Psyche, by Benjamin West, P.R.A. 947. 10s.; An Italian Lake, by Richard Wilson, 84/.; and the Lake of Nerni (its companion), 847.; the Holy Family with St. John, by Carlo Maratti, 977. 138.; Italian Seaport, by Vernet, 631.; The Waggon, by Rubens, 857. 18.; Virgin and Child, by Murillo, 731. 10s.; Raphael Mengs's portrait of himself, 497. 78.; Dutch Seaport, by Backhuysen, 647. 18.; Italian Village Festival, by Jan Miel, 971. 138.; Painting, an Emblematic Portrait of the Artist's Daughter, by Carlo Dolce, at 521. 10s.; Landscape with Figures, by Loutherbourg, 1121. 78.; View of Dresden, by Canaletti, 2627. 10s.; Lake of Nerni, by Wilson, 461. 48.; Head of Christ, by Annibale Carracci, 1367. 10s. ; The Virgin and Child, with the Magdalen, by Correggio, 1897.; The Virgin, with the Child in her Lap, by Raffaelle, 1157. 10s.; Interior, with Figures Singing and Regaling, by Egbert Heemskirk the younger, 1577. 108.; Caernarvon Castle, by Richard Wilson, 997. 158.

On the third day the drawings were sold. Henry Liverseege's original drawing of The Popkins Family, 137. 108.; his Touchstone and Audrey, 187. 18s.; his Old Falconer, 187. 10s.: his Falstaff and Bardolph, 177. 178.; his Falstaff and Dame Quickly, 231. 10s.; one of T. S. Cooper's cattle pieces, 217.; the original sketch of Sir David Wilkie's Presentation of the Keys to George IV. at Holyrood Castle, 141. Of the framed drawings, an Interior of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, fetched 291. 8s.; The Surprise of the Castle, by Cattermole, 42 guineas; A View of Cologne, by Austin, 23 guineas; The Harvest Home, by Stephanoff, 14 guineas.

On the 15th of March were sold, at Christie's, the proofs, plates, and other effects of the late Abraham Rainbach, esq. the engraver of Wilkie's pictures. Among these were progressive proofs of The Cut Finger, the Parish Beadle, Blindman's

Buff, The Chelsea Pensioners, The Spanish Mother, The Village Politicians, and Distraining for Rent. One proof of The Village Politicians was sold for 137.; one of The Rent Day for 157. 4s. 6d. ; and another of the same for 161. 5s. 6d.

On the 17th were sold the pictures, etchings, &c. &c., of the late Rev. E. T. Daniell; among which was the Madonna di S. Sisto, engraved by Müller after Raffaelle, which realized 491. 78.; Barnes Terrace, by Turner, R. A., 907. 6s.; Sans Souci, by Stothard, 501. 8s.; and a Repo. so, previously supposed to have been by Titian, 52 guineas.

The pictures, engravings, and antiquities of the late Sir Robert Ker Porter were sold on the 30th, among which were many valuable curiosities brought from various parts of the third by that distinguished traveller. Among the pictures by Sir Robert Ker Porter, were St. John Writing the Apocalypse, and Christ Blessing the Cup and Bread, together with specimens of modern and ancient masters; also, a variety of drawings made in different quarters of the globe.

VIEW OF BADEN-BADEN.

Mr. Burford has opened, in his smallest circle, an attractive panorama of BadenBaden, the most fashionable wateringplace on the Continent, as it appears on a bright day, and under favourable circumstances. The pretty antique little town, with its castle towers and church spire, lies in a valley, and around it is some of the most picturesque scenery in the world. A chain of mountains, belonging to the Black Forest range, covered with majestic pines, stretches beyond the limit of vision. Directly opposite the town is a perfect change of scene; spacious avenues of trees afford delightful promenades, and here the artist has animated the prospect with numerous pic-nic parties. To the left of this gay scene is that centre of attraction, the Conversation House, the fashionable lounge during the day, and the palace of dissipation at night. Those who are unacquainted with panoramic effects will marvel how all this can be represented on a circumference of canvas not exceeding, as we are told, twenty-five feet. In the other circles views of Edinburgh (at the period of her Majesty's visit) and of Cabul continue open.

FOREIGN LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

M. Allier, Professor of the University of St. Petersburg, has just discovered in the

Imperial Library 341 autograph letters of Henry IV. of France, hitherto unknown. He immediately imparted his discovery to

a Commission at Paris specially occupied in collecting the letters of that Sovereign. The Royal Library at Paris is going to be removed from the Rue de Richelieu to the Place Dauphine. Government has purchased the buildings as well as the ground of the intended site, between the Pont Neuf, the Quai de l'Horloge, and the Rue du Harlay. The expense of the buildings to be removed and the site is estimated at 18 millions of francs (720,000l.), which is about half the total expense.

A MS. in old French of the renowned tale of Guy of Warwick has been discovered in the Wolfenbuttel Library. The date is the end of the 13th century.

A work has appeared by F. W. Otto (Commentarii Critici, &c.) on the MSS. of the University of Giessen, including those of the Greek and Latin Classics, Chroncles, Histories, and Itineraries of the Holy Land, Adversaria, &c. Among the Adversaria there are two vols. of Col lectanea for a new edition of Alciphron, and many good collations of MSS. and extracts from them, not hitherto consulted, with materials preparatory to new editions of the Classics.

The family of Cherubini are, it is understood, preparing for publication the autograph MSS. of the deceased composer,-giving particular notice of all the artist's own works, and forming the entire history of his professional life.

A M. Buchon has addressed a letter to the Journal des Débats, announcing his discovery of an historical fact which, he says, is unknown even to the learned amongst his countrymen, viz. that the French founded, in 1205, at the close of the fourth Crusade, a powerful feudal principality, in the Morea, Continental Greece, the Cyclades, and the Ionian Islands" that is to say, within wider limits than those of the existing kingdom of Greece." To perfect his discovery, he has examined archives French and foreign, and sought in the scenes themselves the traces of the alleged domination. Of this journey and researches, he states the results to be-a collection of upwards of 200 unpublished documents, a Narrative of his tour, and a History of the French Principality in the Morea, during the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries.

The collection of Sanscrit works, in the purchase of which the late Sir Robert Chambers expended nearly 20,000l. has been bought by the Prussian Government for 9200 dollars (1,4407.), and is now in the Royal Library of Berlin. Professor Höfer, of Greifswald, a distinguished Sanscrit scholar, has been appointed to ar range and catalogue the works, which are

only exceeded in point of value by the collections at Oxford, Paris, and London.

An interesting work has been published at Rome, by the learned Pietro Ungarelli, on a collection of antiquities left there by the Swedish diplomatist Patin. The collection is especially rich in Egyptian antiquities, and contains a valuable assortment of coins,-nearly 8,000 Grecian, 804 Consular, and 4,409 Imperial coins. Among the other antiquities is a "Venus with the Slipper," supposed to be of Egyptian origin, though brought from Greece.

The Royal Commission, entrusted with the publication of the complete works of Frederick the Great, continues to pursue its object with the greatest assiduity. The Emperor of Russia and the Governments of the Duchies of Brunswick and Nassau have given up all the documents in their possession relative to the reign of that monarch. The edition, in respect of elegance of typography and of the plates, will exceed everything of the kind that has been known in Germany. Many of the plates will be engraved by the most distinguished English and French artists.

A botanical work of great interest and importance is now in course of publication, by Count Jaubert, and M. Spach, of the Museum of Natural History. It consists of a selection of the new and least known plants of Western Asia, and will extend to five vols. in 4to., each containing 100 plates and 30 sheets of descriptive letter-press. A geographical map will be prefixed, in four sheets, by Colonel Lapie, exhibiting the principal itineraries of botanical travellers from the 16th century to the present time.

A new edition of the great French Biographie Universelle is announced, embodying the Supplement, now in course of publication, and with extensive additions. The size will be a very large 8vo. and the whole work will be completed in about 40 volumes. A part, consisting of half a volume, will be published every three weeks.

NEW PUBLICATIONS.

History and Biography.

An Inaugural Lecture on the Study of Modern History, delivered March 2, 1843. By J. A. CRAMER, D.D. Principal of New Inn Hall, and Regius Prof. of Modern History, Oxford. 8vo. 28.

Lives of the Princes of Wales, Heirs to the British Throne, with Notices of the Court and Camp of England from the Thirteenth to the Nineteenth Century.