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    defence is acceptable : he has not been employed in laughing : ** J * gb j ^ aSZSKa ^ -SKffi ^ S very sorely Seised for adopting the style in whicTa he feels himself most XmT" let us in reply ask nina if Sana Slick or HarryI *****!™* were to write the Mstory of Christianityin ., the style ^ m which ^ ^ ey feel themselves most at home , whether the excuse ^ ould be accepted that their purpose was serious , and as to style-Wcfe ^ dzcere verum quid vetat ? A man might have the profoundest sympathy with the intense faith and heroic endurance of the martyrs , but if he bypenund pencil set before us the early Christian Gent , no disclaimer in the preface could prevent a revulsion of feeling . . . The objection to comic histories i 3 , that they tend to vulgarize in tne which uiuawioc nuuiu i /* j -

    youn " mma . ceitam siiujeui / s ua .. v . » „„„___ tions . ° There is enough of actual absurdity in the world to laugh at without turning what is serious into fun ; a passing jest at a Roman character might raise no remonstrance , but to make all Itonian history the vehicle for ludicrous writing and illustration does serious injury . Having said so much in answer to a Becket ' s defence , let us add , in all candour , that his work has serious merits of a kind to make us regret that he did not simply write a popular history of Rome without the " comic" element . It is a well compiled , well considered narrative , wearing a mask of buffoonery , setting several points in a much clearer light than the " dignity of history" has yefc achieved in this way ; and as to John Leech s illustrations , they are terribly amusing ! But the way for these two Arcadians it in tne

    to test their work , is to ask them whether they would place hands of their children from nine to nineteen years of age ; and if not , why not ? They may say , indeed , our work is not meant for the young ; but the only reason why the young should not see it is , lest they should form false and unworthy conceptions .

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    MANUAL OF GEOGRAPHICAL SCIENCE . A Manual of Geographical Science , Mathematical , Physical , Historical , and Descriptive . John W . Parker and Son . An Atlas of Physical and Historical Geography , to accompany the Manual of Geographical Science . Engraved by J . W . Lowry , under the direction of D . T . Ansted and the Rev . G . C . Nicolay . John W . Parker and Son . To students and to instructors these works are of substantial value * and we shall be somewhat formal in stating the nature of their contents , to guide the reader in the purchase , for they are not works to borrow and run through , they are works to buy , or to leave alone .

    Unattractive as the title , Manual of Geographical Science , may be , the contents are such as to fix the attention of all who have a tincture of scientific knowledge . It consists of four treatises—1 st , Mathematical Geography , in which Professor O'Brien sets forth a general statement of the celestial motions—the celestial sphere and its circles—an explanation of astronomical terms and measurement of time , together with various illustrations of the method of solving astronomical problems by construction on paper , and an outline of the optical principles requisite in astronomy , with description of optical instruments . This treatise , of 140 closely printed pages , abundantly illustrated , will put the student in possession of the leading principles and most interesting details of such astronomical and optical knowledge as are requisite for the scientific

    understanding of geography . Without losmg sight of its purpose as a book to be used by students , Professor O'Brien has contrived to make his treatise readable and interesting by the clearness of his exposition . This is succeeded by a treatise on Chartography , by Colonel Jackson , which we have not read , but for which his reputation is sufficient guarantee . Then follows an ample treatise , in three parts , on Physical Geography , by Professor Ansted , of 228 pages , devoted to an explanation of the earth ' s surface—the structure of the earth—and organic life . In other words , it is a survey of geology , mineralogy , meteorology , hydrology , and ethnology , with reference to geographical science . All the great

    leading facts are clearly expounded , arid in spite of the immense quantity crammed into this treatise , there is no confusion , no obscurity . We have several differences of opinion with Professor Ansted , but the general laying out of his subject commands our unhesitating praise . Professor Nicolay's treatise—The Theory of Description and Geographical Terminology—closes the volume very appropriately . But there is no index . An index should bo added to all books that are intended for use ; yet how seldom publishers consult the convenience of purchasers in this respect . Curiously enough , Mr . Bohn , the cheap publisher par excellence , is the only one who always gives an index to works that need it .

    The Atlas which accompanies this Manual will bo found extremely valuable . There are six large maps : —I . Reference Map—the World on Morcator ' s Projection . —II . Meteorological Map of the World ( very curious ) . —IU . Relief Map of the- World , showing the Elevations of the Surface . —IV . Phytographical Map , showing the distribution of Plants in various partB oi * the world . —V . Zoological Map : theso two extremely interesting , the latter comprising also an Ethnographical Map . —VI . Comparative Chart of Ancient and Modern Geography . This curious chart shows the world according to Eratosthenes and Sfcrabo , —according to Herodotus , — -and according to Ptolomy .

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    BOOKS ON OUR TABLE . Half-Hours with the Rest Authors . Illustrated Edition . With Biographical and Critical Notices . By Charles Knight . Part I . C . Knight . Ii ? memory servo us , thoro have already been four editions of the Half-Hours with Best Authors—an nmplo testimony to tho success of tho work , and tho do « iro renders have to placo it on their shelves . Mr . Knight now ro-iwnics it in his Companion Library . Wo can kco no objection thereto . If another edition ho wantod , lot another bo issued ; but to call thia an " illustrated edition" on tho strength of the few wretched cuts which disfigure it , ia a grout demand on our bonhomie .

    A Picture for Noah ' sArk , with Descriptions qf Two Hundred Animate . Chapman and Hall Reaixt a delightful child ' s book ! Each page contains a brief , clear descri ption ' of the animal , whose portrait—generally a beautiful woodcut , never a poor oneheads the page ; thus there are two hundred pictures and descriptions of beasts and birds . The child that is not captivated by such a book is a phenomenon . The Best Story Tellers :. a . Collectiptt of Popular Fictions of All Nations . Edited by Charles Knight . Parti . C . Knight .

    This is the first part of a new series in Charles Knight's Companion Library , and will , we suspect , prove one of the most attractive of his publications . From all sources he has selected his materials . A ballad precedes an entertaining abstract of the Niebelungen Lied , —a story from the Arabian Nights is followed by one from Chaucer;—Froissart , Leyden , Grimn , and Deckar , the brave old Deckar , furnish their quota , and thus poetry mingles its fascinations with prose ; ancient lore agreeably varies the delights of imaginative fiction . Ever since the book has been in our house , we have had the greatest difficulty in keeping it from uncritical but monopolizing hands !

    The Girlhood of Shakespeare's Heroines . Tales XIV . and XV . By Mary Cowdea Clarke . W . H . Smith and Son . These two tales—Viola and Imogen—conclude the third- volume of Mrs . Cowden Clarke ' s bold enterprise—an enterprise which , we are glad to say , has contradicted our anticipation , and has met with a success we believed improbable . The name of Shakespeare has a charm , and Mrs . Clarke ' s own talent has done the rest . Chambers ' * Pocket Miscellany . Vol . II . W . S . Orr and Co . A moee varied or agreeable sixpennyworth of reading it would not be easy to select . If we have any objection to make , it is to the sacrifice of comfort for quantity :, a third less matter , printed in larger type , would make the book a delightful pocket companion .

    Biblical Antiquities ; with some Collateral Subjects , illustrating the Language , Geography , and early History of Palestine . By P . A . Cox , D . D , With Maps and numerous Engravings . J . J . Griffin & Co . The present volume of the re-issue of the JEncyelopeedia Metropolitana is one of solid learning and agreeable information , compiled with accuracy and skill , written with a vivacity and clearness which render a subject entertaining that otherwise would be instructively dull . The life of the Hebrews is here set before us in a vivid and minute way , such as we never realize when reading the Bible , because in reading that book we cannot divest ourselves of theological associations . The sections on the Manners and Customs of ihe Jews are thus peculiarly interesting , while that on the Sabbath shows ^ knotty subject learnedly handled , The illustrations are numerous and of great service . Agood index is added . ~

    The Battles of the British Navy , By Joseph Allen . Vol . I . ( Bonn ' s Illustrated Library . ) H ^ G . Bohn . Axxen ' s spirited history of the most famous Battles of the British Navy is selected by Mr . Bohn for his Illustrated Library , with the extra advantage of a complete revision , and the . rectification of former errors , and several additions . It is to h * complete in two volumes . Portraits of twenty admirals , from Drake to Jervis , and several useful diagrams , illustrate this volume , which contains upwards of five hundred and twenty pages of print ! The Works of Sir Thomas Browne . Edited by Simon Wilkin . Vol . II . ( Bonn's Antiquarian Library . ) H , G . Bohn .

    This , the second volume of a work which students will hardly know how to price , contains the remaining books of Vulgar Errors ; the noble treatise , Meligio Medici ; and the quaint Garden of Cyrus . To how many hungry minds , that hitherto have looked wistfully at these works of Sir Thomas Browne , and sighed to think of the barrier of Price which kept them from possession , will this re-issue bo glad tidings ! If Mr . Bohn were a literary patron , spending a large fortune in munificent publications , ho would not do the state more service than he does as an enterprising tradesman speculating on the demand for good books . The Literary Works of Sir Joshua Reynolds . To which is prefixed , a Memoir of the Author , by W . H . Beechcy . In 2 vols . ; new and improved edition . ( Standard Bohn

    Library . ) H . G . , The first volume of a new edition of tho works of Reynolds is issued in a new and very elegant typo . It contains Beechey ' a Memoir , and the first eight of o » r Joshua ' s beautiful Discourses on Painting—a work that no student will forget . The Poetical and Dramatic Works of Sir Edward Bidwer Lytton , Bart , Vol . I . Narrative Poems . Chapman and Hall . The Poems and Ballads of Schiller . Translated by Sir Edward Bulwcr Lytton , Bart . Second Edition . Blackwood . Messks . Chapman and Hall having undertaken tho issue of an elegant edition of Bulwer's Poems and Dramas , Messrs . Blackwood hnvo very considerately made their edition of tho Schiller uniform with it . At present wo confine ourselvea to an announcement of tho publication , reserving till a future number such remarks as wo may have to make on Bulwcr ' s poetical claims—a subject worthy of deliberate- treatment , and in itself not without attraction .

    History of the Eighteenth Century , and of the Nineteenth till the Overthrow of the French Empire , toith particular reference to Mental Cultivation and Progress By I' \ C . Schlosser . Translated by D . Daviaon , M . A . Vol . VIII . Chapman and JlniJ . We have in three articles already expressed our opinions on this unequal but valuable work . It is now completed by ili 6 publication of tho eighth volume , embracing tho period from tho Pence of Tilsit to tho departure of Napoleon ftr St . Helena . Two indexes are added ; ono for tho political , and ono for tho literary portion . ¦ The Jew of Denmark . A Talc . By M . Goldachmidt . Translated from the original

    Danish by Mrs . Bushby . ( Railway Library . ) G- Koutlcdgo . A VEitY interesting Htory , oh a story , but still more interesting as ft p icture of Jewish life in Doinnnrlc at tho proHont day . It will eurpriBe most English reiulora to learn how bitter and oppressive is tho persecution to which that strange unhappy race in-still subjected ; and something more than umusomont will bo wroug ht l > y these rovclationu .

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    rfi ¦ THE LEADER . [ SATij ^ DAy ,

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 21, 1852, page 182, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1923/page/18/