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REVIEW.-Natural History of Insects.

The principal original articles in the Bibliographical Miscellany are as follow. An account of the Manner of keeping the King's birthday at Edinburgh in 1734. Description and extracts from a volume of the archives of the Bastille, accidentally found in one of the apartments, a day or two after its surrender. The finder was Mr. Christopher Potter, a person who was twice returned M.P. for Colchester, in 1781 and 1784, but on both occasious found not duly elected. To escape from his difficulties he afterwards removed to France, and in consequence was in the way to procure this volume; which was transmitted to his brother, a haberdasher at Charing cross, by him sold, and its present possessor is not known. Its contents, if we may judge from the extracts (which are full of ignorant misprints), are much less interesting than its history. A warrant to the Actors at the Cockpit in Drurylane, from Sir Henry Herbert, Master of the Revels, Oct. 13, 1660. A petition of Anthony Babington, the Conspirator, to Queen Elizabeth, from Mr. Upcott's collection. Notice of MSS. in the Public Library at Besancon.

We cordially wish this periodical success; but recommend far greater care in the correction of the press, which is faulty throughout, and particularly where any other language but English occurs.

The Natural History of Insects. In two parts, Vol. 1. 16mo. pp. 213. Murray.. WHOEVER studies Natural Philosophy, as initiatory to Theology, lays the foundation of piety upon a mountain, which not a hurricane or even earthquake of scepticism can remove; and he acquires that humility in his conceptions of Deity, and that confidence in His benevolence, which leads him to wisdom and happiness. In fact, he is a student of the laws of Providence, and there he finds every thing that is necessary for his own well-being. He finds, in short, that with regard to temporal well-being, virtue and prudence are the sole agents; and with regard to his spiritual, that hope is a feeling which never extends to unattainable objects; and therefore that, because what may be, is, he has no tenable ground for philosophising against revelation.

When St. Paul talked of philosophy

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and vain deceit, he only talked of the solemn trash of Greek lecturers, who made nature conformable to their own particular imaginations, and dreamed of finding the contents of the egg, by breaking the shell. Mathematical problems were to be solved by the ingredients of poetry, and the truth of physics was made dependent upon skill in logic. But things are now different; such rashness now amounts to utter ignorance of the very abecedary of the matter ; and the subject before us, Entomology, presents an apt illustration.

Whoever knows that various genera of carnivorous (especially) and other animals have been utterly extirpated, may be led to think, that it is a general law of Providence to extend the same privilege with regard to all kinds. But he is mistaken. It is not permitted, unless (in confirmation of the Bible,) it be for the use of man. Every body knows, that timber may be cut down and used by man, for most beneficial purposes; and also, that when an aniinal's or insect's means of subsistence is withdrawn, the genus perishes, because the injury is not compatible with the well-being of the "Lord of Creation." For instance, vegetation can never be injuriously luxuriant, where man wants the soil, but

"The destructiveness of the white ants, is, perhaps, one of the most efficient means of checking the pernicious luxuriance of vegetation within the tropics. No large animal could effect in months what the white ant can execute in weeks; the largest trees, which, falling, would rot and render the air pestilential, are so thoroughly removed, that not a grain of their substance is to be recognised. Not only is the air freed from this corrupting matter, but the plants destroyed by the shade of these bulky giants of the vegetable world, are thus permitted to shoot."

-p. 144.

But the locusts, the caterpillars, &c. destroy the food of man; yes, but in how limited and periodical a degree? The general law is, that the agency of insects relieves us from that extreme abundance of vegetable matter, which would render the earth uninhabitable, were this excess not periodically destroyed (Insect Architecture, p. 11).

Insects which feed upon the hunian body produce a discomfort, which induces cleanliness; and, in a hot climate, where certain tormentors are not to be wholly removed, they are mere taxes paid for that superior production which ensures cheapness of food, and

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Miscellaneous Reviews.

for that warmth which renders fuel unnecessary, lodging easy, and clothing cheap. What is the difficulty of getting rid of a few musquitoes, compared with that of providing for a family?But it is possible that when a flea sucks blood, he sucks with it insects, which

have in him a natural enemy. But

the most curious fact in the insect economy is, that they are always spending their time in the propagation of young, which they never live to rear, or even to see; yet the care which they take of their ova exhibits parental feeling. Change of season and loss of food is the evident cause of this early dissolution

; and the apparent intention that they should not be too abundant. Zeta In a general view, phenomena only indicate that state of perpetual change and motion which pervades all being whatever; for there is not a moment of time in which such being is not undergoing a mutation; and consequently is in action, however quiescent it may appear to us. Every animated being is a pabulum for another, and that another for others; and Brown's micros copical experiments show that there is motion even in atoms of silex. In confirmation of these remarks, we find here in p. 209, that

"Not only man, and the giants of the creation, whether vegetable or animal, are subjected to the attacks of these tiny depredators, but insects themselves must furnish nourish ment to still smaller insects; and even the smallest of those which are visible to the naked eye presents a wide range for some puny parasite. The bee, the beetle, and the dragon-fly may be seen covered with these creatures. The spider, at all times offen. sive, becomes loathsome, when its body is eaten up with acari. The common fly must yield up its juices to its parasites, and the

We wish that Mr. WATSON may satisfy the public, in regard to his Plan for preventing Ships foundering at Sea, and thereby rendering every Ship a Life-ship; and most certainly we think if there can be a life-loat, there may be also a life-ship. Mr. Watson has recently given a very satisfactory Lecture on the subject, at the Royal Institution. He exhibited some ingenious experiments in proof of the advantages of his discovery.These experiments were performed on a small model of an 80-gun ship, and were clearly successful in their results as regarded the model. A leak was sprung prior to the application of the air-tubes, and the model, of course, soon sunk; the air-tubes were then applied, and the leak sprung as before,

[March,

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To revert to our first propositionthe extirpation of genera inimical to ble in reference to insects is clear; and man. That it is physically impracticathe reason may be, that insects perhaps substance. Without adopting the hyform an indispensable part of animal perbole, that man is a insects," it is either proved or reasonacongeries of bly assumed, that there is nothing quiescent throughout nature; that matter is divisible, ad infinitum; and that no

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two atoms are in actual contact. If it be too much to say that all these atoms consist of organic beings, it is evident that all organic beings are only nidi of others; and that it is difficult to account for phenomena, without a theory of animation far more extensive than the present.

But we must speak of the book. It consists of a true romance; a wonderful display of divine wisdom, which, as a story, as much exceeds the sublime and marvellous of the finest fiction, as the glory of the sun does the light of a candle. It is a truly delightful book.

but a very different result occurred. Far from sinking, the model, though completely filled with water, and having weights proportionally equal to the 250 tons above the average weight of 80-gun ships, attached to it, remained above water.

Laconics; ; or the Best Words of the Best Authors. These three neatly printed volumes contain more than 4000 choice extracts in prose and verse from standard English au. thors; and form excellent companions for the breakfast or drawing-rooms. No one can dip into them for a moment without meeting with matter of amusement, reflection, or improvement. The compiler has been evidently well qualified for his task by

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a most extensive knowledge of books. We should have preferred a classification of subjects; but, as some compensation, each volume has the benefit of a good index; and is beside embellished with five portraits, engraved in one plate.

The Manual of the Economy of the Human Body, in Health and Disease, "containing a brief view of its structure and functions, and the diseases to which it is liable; with ample directions for the regulation of diet and regimen, from infancy to old age."This useful volume is well adapted to the general reader, as it begins by explaining the structure and functions of the human frame, previous to discussing the diseases to which it is subject, and the treatment desirable in each case, with the management of children, and plain and useful directions respecting diet and regimen, cold and warm bathing, exercise, and the best methods of rendering old age comfortable. This work deserves to be popular. It is not a book of quackery; the authorities are given, compared, and examined; and the assistance of the best medical advice within reach is in all cases strongly recommended.

We approve of The Young Wanderer's Cave, and the three other tales; that entitled "" Fagging" excepted. The public schools have produced the men who have most ennobled this nation; and as boys learn there, that not rank but high qualities gain distinction and preference qualities which they will never acquire in private seminaries, because the interest of the master produces partiality the fagging" is not, generally speaking, a serious evil. It may, however, require to be controlled and modified; but it should be notwithstanding recollected, that to rough it in early life, has been and is considered by men of eminence an inestimable blessing, because it has enabled them to bear adversity with patience, and laugh at petty evils.

Captain FORMAN, in his Present Commercial Distress traced to the true cause; and the best, if not the only means of removing it pointed out; recommends (p. 27) that ma→ nufacturers should withdraw from trade all the superfluous capital that cannot be turned to advantage, and that a door should be opened for the emigration of superfluous labourers.

The Questions on the Church Service, for the use of Sunday Schools, deserve unqualified praise.

Mr. BUNTING's Sermon upon Justification by Faith, has a bearing towards mysticism, which is not accordant with Mr.TonD's clear and definite notions of saving faith, in his vaGENT. MAG. March, 1880.

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luable work entitled "Faith and Justification."

Mr. PINNEY, in his Code of Health, well illustrates the advantages of temperance, pure air, and exercise.

We enjoyed with a smile the light and elegant humour of the Charity Bazaars, a poem.

The Anti-Slavery Reporter, No. 55, denies the statements of Mr. Mackenzie.

The Literary and Scientific Class-Book, by the Rev. J. PLATTS, is really what it professes to be; and any youthful student, with the assistance of a careful tutor, to explain some little difficulties which are not to be avoided in such a work, would acquire much philosophic knowledge and scientific taste. It consists of lessons for each day in the year, fifty-two being set apart at the end of the volume for the Sundays, which are characterized by a pure and devotional spirit. The volume is interspersed with poetical quotations, selected with evident taste; and embellished with diagrams, &c.

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Concerning Predestination and Free-will, by an Athanasian, we have only to praise the zeal and eloquence of the author. This we do most sincerely, because that creed, whatever may be said of the damnatory clauses, is a full and complete, and truly scriptural compendium of the doctrine of the Trinity, a doctrine upon which depends the whole scheme of Redemption.

The Right of the Church of England to her Endowments exposes the sophistry of those who have disputed it. These endowments are not taxes, but benefactions of our pious ancestors; and, like all other benefactions, belong to the donees. The State or people can no more make a title to them, than it can to the estate of a charitable

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Miscellaneous Reviews.-Fine Arts.

foundation; and if it could, it would only be diversion of an unavoidable payment from a man in a black coat to another in a brown

one.

Dr. CORDER THOMSON's eloquent Letter on Anatomical Pursuits, combats the feelings which prohibit a due supply of subjects for medical students. There is certainly no difference in the abstract, whether a corpse is destroyed by putrefaction or dissection. Other countries, we believe, avoid all legislation upon the subject, and we have read that a foreign trade is opened accordingly.

We are happy to see that Mr. DALE'S Introductory Lecture to the Study of Theology and of the Greek Testament in the University of London, shows that the plan intended is judicious, and based upon the "Divinity of Christ," and a correct understanding of Scripture.

The Review of the Arguments and Alle gations against the Renewal of the East India Company's Charter, states, in p. 67, that these arguments and allegations are in the whole barefaced misrepresentations; and that the teas sold so cheap on the Continent are only Ankhe or Ankoy teas, or rubbish, unsaleable at all unless dirt cheap.

Lady BYRON has given circulation to a letter, containing "Remarks on Mr. Moore's Notices of the Life of Byron." The most interesting part is that relating to the separation between his lordship and herself; which it was inferred was attributable to undue influence. At the time that Lady Byron first left him, her belief was that his Lordship, in his behaviour towards her, acted under the influence of insanity; and

MOSAIC WORKS.

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she took that step, not under the persuasion of any one. She was afterwards satisfied that the notion of insanity was an illusion, and every extenuating circumstance being then removed, she insisted upon a separa tion, under the advice of Sir S. Romilly and Dr. Lushington, who were in possession of all the circumstances. Lady Byron annexes a letter from Dr. Lushington written last January, in which he declares his belief that a reconciliation was impossible; and concludes, by declaring her only object to be that of vindicating the memory of her parents from the calumny of having instigated the separation.

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We know nothing of the causes which oc casioned the Rev. CHARLES CATOR, late Rector of Kirk Smeaton, to state in his Farewell Sermon, that he was no longer per mitted to address his flock as their minister from the pulpit, except that he was charged with not preaching the Gospel (p. 17), and holding a large farm. (p. 21.) AH we can or ought to say is, that (p. 15) he acknowledges "being warned that his flock must all be scattered and driven away, and that he had hosts of enemies." The Sermon is eloquent, and exhibits a surpassing knowledge of Scripture; but no parish priest that ever lived has done, or could do, the all to which he lays claim.

FINE ARTS.

A variety of pictures in Mosaic work, of singular beauty, are open to the public in Old Bond-street. They are the laborious accomplishment of Signor Moglia, a Roman artist. Upon entering the room where they are exhibited, we passed by a large halflength portrait of His Majesty, in his robes, the size of life, after the original of Sir Thomas Lawrence, supposing it to be an oil painting our attention, however, was directed to it as forming the most remarkable and attractive feature of the collection. And assuredly it is a work of extraordinary labour, patience, and merit. The whole work is composed of the astonishing number of one million sixty thousand and fifty distinct pieces of coloured stone. In the same room, besides a variety of small landscapes,

s a copy of the "Europa," after Guido,

surrounded by a wreath of flowers, most admirably copied from nature. A small portrait of a spaniel, calculated to adorn the lid of a snuff-box, is finished in the same mi nute material, and with as close an attention to the easy gradations of colour as a highlyfinished miniature. To the curious in art we strongly recommend the patronage of these ingenious works. They are the most perfect specimens of mosaic work we ever saw.

MR. HAYDON'S PICTURES.

Death of Eucles.-The subject is taken from Plutarch de Gloria Atheniensium; and the painter has represented his hero (after having run to the houses of the first magistrates to announce the victory) as rushing to his own home, and dropping dead just as he reaches the threshold, huzzaing as he fa'ls. Opposite to the hero is his wife,

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distracted, who has come out to meet him, with her infant in her arms. In front is a fine athletic figure springing forward to catch the hero. Behind is the father of Eucles, thanking the gods his son is victorious, though dying. In the back-ground are the Parthenon, the temple of Minerva, and the Propylæum. The subject is a fine one, and is here most ably treated by Mr. Haydon. The picture has been purchased by 50 subscribers at 10 guineas each, and the fortunate owner will be decided by lot on the 5th of April. Mr. Haydon has another fine subject in hand, " Zenophon and the Ten Thousand first catching a sight of the Sea on Mount Theches.' This pic ture it is intended shall also be disposed of in the same way as the Eucles, by 50 shares of 10 guineas each.

Punch and Judy; or Life in Londm.The second picture in Mr. Haydon's exhibition, is a direct contrast to the preceding. One is the tragedy; the other the farce. The celebrity Mr. Haydon has gained by his very humorous picture of the "Mock Election," and "the Chairing the Member," will not be diminished by this very entertaining and well-grouped picture. Punch and Judy are admirably painted; Punch is beating his wife for levity of conduct; and the show has evidently produced its intended effect on the merry group before it. An honest farmer is so lost in admiration as to

be insensible of the danger he is in of losing
his pocket-book, from the united attentions
of a London sharper, his lady-friend, and a
boy who is picking the farmer's pocket.
Observing this scene is a London thief-
taker, ready to pounce on the thief.
fine athletic sailor, and a life-guardsman, are
put in as fair representatives of the noble
services to which they belong. The scene
is laid in the New Road, before Marylebone
Church, from which a happy new-married
pair are driving in a chariot, and towards
which a hearse is carrying the body of a
young girl. In the opposite side of the
picture to Punch and Judy, are a chimney-
sweeper and his lady, dancing, with Jack
in the Green, and all the paraphernalia of a
May-day. We sincerely hope that pa-
tronage will be amply bestowed on this de-
serving and industrious artist, who has con-
tributed so much of late to the gratification
of the public.

PANORAMA OF CALCUTTA.

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and thickly peopled cities in the world. The present Panorama is taken from the Espla nade, and includes the best parts of the European division of the city, including Fort William, the palace of the governor, the bank, supreme court, the princely dwellings of the chief officers, &c. To relieve the flatness of the view, and the monotonous character of the buildings, the artist has introduced groupes of figures, which, though seldom seen at Calcutta, add much to the interest of the picture: such is a magnificent procession of a native prince, mounted on an elephant, and accompanied by three other elephants, camels, several spirited horses, and a numerous retinue of servants in splendid costumes; in another part of the picture, a devotee is undergoing penance, by being swung in the air, suspended by a hook in the muscles of his body; groups of dancers, jugglers, palanquins, and dealers in fruit, agreeably diversify the scene. The picture is from drawings by Captain Smith, of the 44th reg. The atmosphere well resembles the sultry climate; and the whole picture, which is extremely well painted, affords a correct idea of the place.

SALE OF ENGRAVINGS.

A collection of engravings, the property of Mr. John Serjeant, which was sold by auction by Messrs. Southgate, Grimston, aud Wells, Feb. 23, and four following days, obtained very large and almost unprecedented prices. They consisted mostly of engravers' proofs, and were either in a singular or unique state, or very brilliant impressions. We have room to enumerate. only a few of the most choice.-Portrait of A Thomas Killegrew, by Faithorne, 4l. 14s. 6d. -John Kersey, by do. 5l. 10s.-William de Brisacier, the grey-headed man, by Masson, 81. The Three Trees, by Rembrandt, 7. 5s.-St. John, after Dominichino, by Muller, 1808, 67. 10s.-Pope Leo X. after Raffaelle, by Lignon, 5l.-Nature, after Sir T. Lawrence, by George T. Doo, 4l, 5s.— St. Cecilia, by Wm. Sharp, before letters, 21. 17s. 6d.-Hon. Mr. Lambton, by Sir T, Lawrence, proof before writing, 61.-Holy Family, by Sharp, from Reynolds, 31. 7s.Holy Family, after Raffaelle, by Richomme, 81. 8s. Another, 6l. 15s.-MAGDALENA PRAYING, after Murillo, by Morghen, proof before letters, 16. Fine impression, with letters, 27. 12s. 6d.-La Petite Ecoliere, by Wille, 31. 48.-Les Bons Amis, by Wille, proof before arms or inscription, 104, 5s,— Instruction Paternelle, by ditto, 4l. 11s.-His Menagere Hollandoise, proof before inscription, 6l. 15s.-His TRICOTEUSE HOLLANDOISE, proof, 16. 16s.-Ditto, with lettering, 2l. 12s. 6d. St. John, the Madouna, and Dead Christ, after Vandyck, by Schiavonetti, 5l. 12s. 6d.-Dutch Courtship, after Ostade, by J. Vigscher, 31. 3s.-Portrait of Dr. Hunter, after Reynolds, by Sharp, 5l.

Mr. Burford has lately opened in the great circle at Leicester-square, a painting of this chief seat of the British Government in India. The site is a perfect flat, and little more than a century ago was covered with stagnant pools and thick jungle, and infested by wild animals. The banks of the river Hooghley, for a distance of six miles, now present one of the most magnificent

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