A Literal Translation of Plato's Apology of Socrates and The Crito, with Notes, original and selected. By Henry Vane Hemmings, B. A. Ex-Scholar Trinity College, Dublin, Translator of the Phædo. Dublin, Gibton and Overend, 7, Capel-street, 1835. Plato, an author most difficult to understand, has met with a translator in Mr. Hemmings, who has ably rendered him in a style remarkable for its clearness; always faithful, generally elegant. To translate literally, and, at the same time, elegantly, is a task confessedly one of the most arduous that a literary man can attempt, and we might add, the most unprofitable; for while the scrutinizing eye of the learned critic would be apt to overlook the difficulty of the original work, it would fall with a withering glance on any little inelegancy which the correct rendering of idiomatic language seldom fails to produce. From those who are acquainted with the language of Plato, Mr. Hemmings is sure to meet with inviting encouragement, and even those who are unacquainted with that philosopher, and who are totally ignorant of Hellenic literature, will read Mr. Hemmings' book with a pleasure rarely produced by literal translations. The student will find in it all he requires-a translation, not only literal, but elegant and faithful. The notes are not the least worthy the attention of the scholar, the selections are principally culled from Foster, Fischerus and Dacier, &c. and do credit to the taste as well as judgment of the translator; whilst those that are original show into what able hands the translation of this work has fallen. In conclusion, we should recommend this version to the student and general reader, as an excellent elucidation of the difficulties of one of the greatest philosophers of antiquity. Wanderings through North Wales. By Thomas Roscoe, Esq. author of the Landscape Annual. Tilt, and Simpkin and Marshall, London; and Wrightson and Webb, Birmingham, 1835. The third part of this beautifully illustrated work has just made its appearance, and it deserves more than a mere passing notice. It contains three exquisite engravings, by Radclyffe, from drawings by Cattermole, Cox, and Creswick. The first is Dolbadern Tower; the next Cader-Idris, from Kymmer Abbey; and the third, Bolingbroke's False. Homage to Richard II. at Flint Castle. The letter-press, too, is in keeping with the engravings, and Mr. Roscoe has made it an unusually interesting appendage. Surely this very talented little publication must ere now be in general request; at all events, its merits require that it should be so. Treatise on the Geography and Classification of Animals. By William Swainson, Esq. Longman and Co., 1835. This is the second of a series of volumes on Zoology, in Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopædia, by Swainson, and will, we anticipate, prove useful to all students of Natural History; more particularly to those scientific students who are unable to procure the Northern Zoology of Richardson and Swainson, the Linnæan Transactions, the Zoological Journal, and other expensive works of the kind. The geography of animals, so ably treated in the volume before us, is a subject which has hitherto been but little attended to. Our author divides the world into five zoological provinces, viz. Europe, Asia, America, Africa, and Australia These provinces, respectively, occupy five chapters; their zoology and limits are traced with the hand of a master, and in a manner which we have never yet seen equalled. We shall now proceed to remark on the English names used in this volume. In referring to those of birds at pp. 42-3, we find "vultur, L. true vultures." And we would ask, what else can a vultur be but a true vulture? It is, of course, sufficiently plain that Swainson intends by so doing, to distinguish this genus from the other groups of Vulturidæ. But why not find other generic names for those? Gypaetus he designates "bearded vultures," thus giving a specific and generic name where the latter only is required. Pastor he calls " sheep-bird." We cannot too strongly censure the practice of making bird the scientific name of any species. It was a very favourite practice with Wilsonthus we have the crow blackbird (Quiscalus versicolor), the bluebird (Sialia Wilsonii, Swains.), the redbird; and amongst British birds we have the blackbird (Merula vulgaris, Wil.), and the greenbird (Coccothraustes chloris.) Wilson, however, was no systematist, and may, therefore, be pardoned; but for Swainson to fall into this error, is perfectly inexcusable. Again, in the volume before us, we find Anthus, B. titlark." Why not pipit? and why not dunnock, instead of the clumsy name "finch warbler?" We are glad to see that Swainson has rejected the absurd name goatsucker, but are surprised to find him adhering to the old name Caprimulgus (auctorum.) These remarks may be deemed frivolous, but every philosophic naturalist will, doubtless, on consideration, admit them to be of no little importance. The second part is dedicated to the consideration of the different systems which have been promulgated. This division of the subject is admirably treated, and we regret that our limits will not permit us to make any extracts; but we will endeavour to give our readers some idea of its contents. Our author has shown the difference between a natural and an artificial system, with great clearness and precision. He also appears to speak most impartially of all naturalists, and to give each his due. How different is this from the "querulous tone in which the Introduction to Rennie's Montagu's Ornithological Dictionary is written. In the latter work, we find all naturalists and all systems abused. Swainson also discusses the merits of the principal systems, and more especially the circular theory of the great Macleay, at some length. The dichotomous system of Dr. Fleming, we agree with our author in thinking totally unworthy of regard. He justly remarks, that any one might make fifty other dichotomous systems, all of which would be as useless as those already promulgated. In the formation of a binary system, it is only necessary to fix on some one character, and to have "distinct conceptions on positive and negative characters." A single glance at Fleming's British Animals will show the fallacy of such a system, and it is drawn up by one who is possessed of no mean talents. Swainson justly considers the classification of Linnæus, "as a whole, much more comprehensive than that of Cuvier." p. 127. Part IV. is dedicated to "A familiar explanation of the first principles of practical and scientific Zoology, with suggestions for a plan of studying the details of each department." In this division, the difference between a practical and a scientific naturalist is pointed out. Our author appears to us somewhat to undervalue the former class; in our opinion, both are equally useful, and both mutually assist each other. Let each choose that line which best suits his inclination, and let him not, because he has taken to it, despise another for studying in another department. The whole of the 368th paragraph is very just, and we are sorry that our limits will not admit of our transcribing it here. We have only been able to take a very cursory view of the contents of this useful volume, but we inform the scientific student of Natural History, that he cannot have a better book than this if he wishes to obtain a thorough knowledge of the classification and geographical distribution of animals. In no other work would he find such a mass of sound information in so small a compass, and in so popular a style. These volumes in the Cabinet Cyclopædia are, perhaps, not indispensable to the professed zoologist, as every one who has any title to the name of a scientific zoologist, must be familiar with the principles inculcated in the Fauna Boreali-Americana; but to those who are unable to obtain this work, the volumes now in course of publication are invaluable, and will, we have no doubt, sustain the very high reputation of Swainson as a scientific zoologist. A Manual of Entomology, from the German of Dr. Hermann Burmeister. By W. E. Shuckard, M. E. S. with original Notes and additional Plates Nos. I. to V. Churton, Holles-street, and Tilt, Fleetstreet, 1835. This is a translation of a popular work on that branch of Natural History which treats of insects, and comprises a valuable introduction to the science of Entomology. To investigate the nature of insects, to shew how the insect is organized and formed, and to explain the generalization and development of the various vital phenomena observable in the class, is the useful and professed object of the publication, and to our judgment it will prove an important assistant to the entomologist. There are occasionally interspersed, we observe, many original experiments and observations, in addition to its other scientific matter; which, with the facts elicited by the laborious investigations of the most eminent scientific men on this subject, must necessarily render this work extremely useful and popular. We believe that the study of insects, although more general than it was a few years back, is still less cultivated than most other branches of Natural History, notwithstanding it has the power to give an intense interest to those who duly reflect on the purposes which insects have to accomplish in the economy of nature. If this monthly publication should stimulate a more general inquiry into a species of knowledge, which to much attractiveness adds extreme usefulness, and that it will do so we anticipate with confidence, the labours of the ingenious translator will not have been exerted in vain. According to the prospectus, this work will be completed in about eighteen numbers, and when we look at the faithfulness of the translation, its general neatness, and the number of its plates, we must, in common justice, say that it ranks amongst the most respectable of the cheap periodicals. The Arboretum Britannicum. By J. C. Loudon, F. L. H. G. & Z. S. &c. June, 1835. Longman and Co. The Architectural Magazine; the Gardener's Magazine; and the Maga-" zine of Natural History. June, 1835. Conducted by J. C. Loudon, Longman and Co. In the first-named work, by Mr. Loudon, there are sixteen plates, eight from zinc and eight from wood, all from specimens in the garden of the London Horticultural Society at Chiswick; and although in one or two of the wood engravings there is a trifling defectiveness, which the liberal author promises to replace by more perfect ones, we consider them, taken together, as remarkably good specimens of this mode of engraving. It is tolerably well known, we believe, that wood engravings are far more expensive than impressions taken from zinc or stone; notwithstanding which, Mr. Loudon, with his characteristic liberality, has, we perceive, engaged to adopt wood, in future, for all the smaller trees, because that mode of engraving enables the artist to give their character and their botanical details with greater accuracy than the zinc.-The letter-press, we perceive, consists of the concluding part of "The History of the Introduction of Foreign Trees and Shrubs into Ireland," and "Of the Foreign Trees and Shrubs introduced into Britain in the 19th century,"-subjects which are as interesting as useful. The Architectural Magazine is distinguished by some original communications of no ordinary talent. The continuation of the article "On the origin, excellences, and defects of the Grecian and Gothic Styles of Architecture," by the late Dr. James Anderson, will be found particularly interesting; and the papers by Brigden, Lamb, and Kent, are indications of the high talent engaged in this undertaking. Mr. Forbes's continuation of "A Natural History Tour in Norway," and various other communications. replete with instruction and amusement," occupy the pages of "The Magazine of Natural History;' and "The Gardener's Magazine" is fully equal to the useful purposes of its preceding numbers. The "Observations on the gardening of Belgium," by John Maddison, Esq. in the latter publication, are, we perceive, brought to a close, and are as intelligent as the first portions of them led us to expect. Most of the other papers, too, lay claim to considerable merit, for many of them throw new light on the pleasing and healthful occupation of horticulture. Harold de Burun. A Semi-dramatic Poem; in six Scenes. By Henry Austen Driver, author of "The Arabs," a Poem. Longman and Co. 1835. Amongst the multiplicity of publications, in verse and prose, o every calibre and every form, to do honour to the memory and genius of the bard of Newstead, there are few which exceed in interest "Harold de Burun." Viewed as a mere romance, or as a vehicle for poetic imagery, this work would impart no slight gratification; but when associated in its connexion with the distinguished poet, whom its title obliquely designates, it becomes additionally attractive. The author avows that the especial object of the undertaking has been to develope what he conceived to be the true character of Lord Byron, and to endeavour to dispel that fantastical one which has been reared and nursed amidst the magnifying haze of popular credulity. He is here introduced as an interlocutor, as a contemplatist, or as an auto-vindicator: the author has anticipated sentiments to which he conceived he was silently but gradually veering; and amidst the pendulous vibrations of his mind between the wide extremes of superstition and scepticism, has attempted to shew that its natural tendency was to settle down into the steadfast principles of virtue. This assumption he draws from his peculiar mood and general tone of thought. In what manner the author has achieved his intentions, will be best evinced by a quotation from the work. Scene II.-HAROLD, and MALEDICUS, Harold's Evil Genius. HAROLD. Is't not enough that you have dragged me forth To gaping multitudes, but, even here, MALEDICUS. Ask your antagonists!-- HAROLD. True true! a generation must pass by. When I am low; and lift triumphant hands, Posthumous attribute! Go, tell them this-- A feeling that endureth-and endures; Its power and influence. They may stride my dust, Their names e'en frailer than their bones. [MALEDICUS disappears. In the 5th scene, Harold holds converse with a hermit in his cell, wherein he gives a confidential history of his early life, mixed with extenuations and regrets, too often the sad attendants of high-wrought genius. This colloquy is full of instruction and interest. The characters in this poem are,-Harold de Burun, Percy, his friend, Minstrel, Hermit, Maledicus, Harold's Evil Genius, Patronus, Harold's Better Genius, Teresa, &c., and exclusive of the extract we have given, there are some interesting portions of the different scenes, which want of space alone deters us from transplanting to our pages. The reader, in Percy, will instantly recognise the unfortunate Byshe Shelley; and in Teresa, the still more unfortunate Italian Countess de Gambia, both which characters are sustained with much of the impress of generous feeling, and with a striking similitude to the best accounts published of these Lord Byron's chosen friends.-This volume is well worthy of perusal, and cannot fail, we think, to get into general circulation. Of the Power, Wisdom, and Goodness of God, as shewn in the Works of the Creation, by examples taken from among the least of terrestrial creatures, also from the mineral and vegetable productions of the Earth; and from the inferior animals up to Man. Edwards, London, and Lees, Worcester, 1835. Our present number was completed when this volume came into our hands, we have, therefore, no time to examine its contents, at least, |