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So many books of prints are now in the course of publication, which we have had only occasional opportunities of noticing individually, that we think we cannot do better, at the present time, than briefly to enumerate such as we know to be now

in progress, from the parts having been laid before us.

Large works of engravings, of the first rate of excellence, do not abound; but books of a moderate size and price, and certainly displaying very considerable skill and splendid effect, were never so numerous as at the present time.

We recently noticed with regret the premature termination of the Gallery of Painters in Water Colours, a work perhaps of higher rank in art than any now in progress. The Works of Liverseege, of which seven parts have been published, consist of very clever compositions of figures, well engraved in mezzotinto. If to this we add the Illustrations of Modern Sculpture and CONEY'S Views of Foreign Cathedrals, together with LODGE's Illustrious Portraits, which requires only the forty-eighth part to complete the original folio work, we believe we shall have mentioned all the publications of the larger size now in the course of appearance.

Among the works of smaller dimensions we do not hesitate to name first MAJOR'S Cabinet Gallery of Pictures. The first volume is completed, and four numbers have appeared of the second. It fulfils its professica of presenting, at a moderate price, "the best works of the greatest masters," selected from the public and private collections of Great Britain. There is another work, also well executed, confined to the National Gallery, and published by JONES. Mr. VALPY'S National Gallery of Painting and Sculpture, on a still smaller scale, but giving a greater quantity of prints for the price, has very little pretensions as a work of art, and can only be valued as a ready book of reference for the designs of celebrated pictures. We imagine that in the best executed plates the engraver has availed himself of the two works already noticed; whilst others are grievously out of drawing.

Another class, which appears to have given great satisfaction to the public, are the Landscape Illustrations of the great modern poets. Those for the Waverley Novels are now completed. For Sir Walter Scott's Poetry two series are in progress; one uniform with those for the Novels, and another entirely from the drawings of the celebrated Turner. The

ARTS.

Landscape Illustrations of Byron, a very beautiful work, is now approaching its last number.

The landscapes have been accompanied with portraits, generally one in each number, which in the Scott Illustrations have been principally imaginary designs appropriated to the poet's female characters, but those for Byron have often' been interesting from their reality (as, among the last, are the Countess of Jersey, Dr. Southey, Gifford, and Mr. Murray the publisher.) The former, however, appear to have given satisfaction; so much so, that a distinct publication, consisting entirely of our artists' conceptions of female loveliness, has arrived at its tenth part, under the title of The Gallery of the Graces. One of the Annuals, "The Book of Beauty," follows the same track, as in part do most of the others. We must repeat the regret we have before expressed, that the labour is not bestowed upon some of the many real and historical personifications of all that can be conceived either fair or estimable, which would readily supply as splendid and a less empty display.

Of books of Portraits, there are in progress, of very equal excellence in point of execution-the far celebrated work of LODGE, containing the Illustrious Characters of English History; the interesting work of FISHER on our contemporaries, called the National Portrait Gallery of the Nineteenth Century; and that of KNIGHT, published under the countenance of the Useful Knowledge Society, which extends to the great men of all climes and ages.

But we must revert to the subject of Landscape, to mention the pleasing Views of the Lakes of Scotland, by Mr. FLEMING; and the brilliant plates in BAINES'S History of Lancashire. These lead us to two works in which architecture and old buildings are the principal subjects; we mean the Memorials of Oxford and the Picturesque Memorials of Salisbury. the former very generally interesting, in proportion as the beauties of Oxford are universally known, and the latter well deserving of imitation in our other ancient cities.

We now arrive at Antiquities, or rather at relics of ancient art. Mr. SHAW's Illuminated Ornaments from Manuscripts of the Middle Ages is a work which, for splendour of colours, has never been rivalled. It is well known how much this was the object of the ancient artists, and in the collection of Mr. Shaw we

have specimens of their skill and invention, and glorious rainbow combinations, during no less than twelve centuries. This work is now completed in thirteen numbers, containing sixty-four plates; and is accompanied by descriptions by Sir Frederic Madden, whose situation as Assistant Keeper of the MSS. at the British Museum, united to the more important qualification that his taste and predilections accord with his office, constitutes him one of the best authorities which could have been consulted on the subject. We shall not suffer his labours to pass with merely this slight notice, but shall examine them more leisurely hereafter.

Mr. Shaw's Specimens of Ancient Furniture is another most interesting and original work, gratifying at once to the antiquary, who regards them from their associations, to the virtuoso, who furnishes his mansion à la mode antique, and to the historical painter, who aims at accuracy of scenery.

We should not omit to notice in this place several works on Natural History which are now appearing at prices unprecedently low, although full of highly coloured plates. There is the Naturalist's Library, edited by Sir William Jardine, which has already put forth two volumes of gaudy Humming Birds, and others of Monkeys, &c.; and the Miscellany of Natural History, projected by Mr. Lizars, the engraver, of Edinburgh. Cuvier's Natural History and Miller's Gardener's Dictionary, are also both appearing in a cheap form, with coloured plates.

We have now got through our catalogue, with the exception of some books of pictorial fun, particularly adapted to the present mirthful season. We have

lately been much amused with the third part of GEORGE CRUIKSHANK's Sketch Book, in which he has capitally satirized the religious and medical quacks of the metropolis, as well as the fashionable simpletons of Cheltenham. Among the latter some illustrious portraits will be recognised. Alfred Crowquill's Folio, of which a second part has just appeared, will also furnish very agreeable exercise to the risible muscles during the whole twelve days of Christmas.

A folio plate of Grantham Church, Lincolnshire, which possesses one of the finest steeples in a county rich in its ecclesiastical architecture, reflects great credit on the local publisher Mr. Ridge. His artists, Mr. F. Simpson, jun. as draughtsman, and Mr. J. Le Keux, as engraver, have done their duty admirably. The view is upright, 12 in. high by 9 wide.

The King's Portrait.-Sir Martin Shee has finished a portrait of his Majesty, and the Royal Family are so pleased with

the picture that they have expressed their desire of retaining it, and the President is to paint another for Dublin Castle, to be placed among the portraits of Sovereigns in the State Room.

Medal in honour of Mr. Cutlar Fergusson. - The Polish exiles have expressed their grateful feelings towards the Member for Kircudbrightshire, the great champion of their cause in Parliament, by a medal recently struck in Paris. The likeness is good. The following is the inscription on the side presenting the head: "Nec deerunt qui meminerint mei." On the reverse, encircled with a laurel wreath, "Roberto Cutlar Fergusson, candido ac tenaci Juris Gentium propugnatori, vi oppressa, genio superstes, Polonia dicavit MDCCCXXXII."

ROYAL ACADEMY.

Dec. 10. This being the anniversary of the foundation of the Royal Academy, the President presented the annual medals, in the presence of a distinguished company of visitors. For the subject of historical painting, "Thetis consoling Achilles for the death of Patroclus," there were only two competitors, and the gold medal was not adjudged to either of them.

For an historical group in sculpture, "Leucothoe giving the fillet to Ulysses," there were four competitors, and the gold medal, with the discourses of Reynolds and West, was adjudged to Edgar George Papworth.

For the best architectural design, the gold medal and the same books to John Davis Payne. For the best copy made in the painting school (Vandyke's Marriage of St. Catherine) the silver medal to John A. Sluce. For the best drawing from the life, the silver medal was adjudged to Edward Petre Novello, but withheld in consequence of his having received a similar premium; it was then transferred to John A. Sluce, as the next best draughtsman. For the best drawings of the front of St. Bride's Church and Steeple, Fleet-street, the silver medal and the Lectures of Professors Barry, Opie, and Fuseli, to Henry Edward Kendall. For the second best drawing of the same subject, the silver medal, to William Wright. For the best drawing from the Antique, the silver medal and the Lectures of Opie and Fuseli, to John Barak Swaine. For the next best, the silver medal adjudged to John Callcott Horsley, but not given, in consequence of his having received a similar premium in the same class. Transferred to Alfred David Lemon, for the next best drawing from the antique. For the best model from the antique, the silver medal, to Edward William Wyon.

After

After the President had concluded an admirable discourse, the General Assembly of the Academicians proceeded to appoint officers for the ensuing year; when Sir M. A. Shee was unanimously reelected President, and the list of the

Council was revised, and the new list contains Sir Jeffrey Wyatville, G. S. Newton, William Mulready, and G. Jones, Esqrs. The old list-Sir W. Beechey, H. P. Briggs, Richard Westall, and Richard Ramsay Reinagle, Esqrs.

New Works announced for Publication. A History of English Literature. By Mr. D'ISRAELI.

Professor HEEREN'S Manual of the History of Modern Europe and its Colonies.

Aldine Edition of the Poems and Correspondence of ROBERT BURNS, with a Memoir and Portrait. 3 vols.

An Anglo-Saxon Gloss on the Psalter, with a literal English translation and notes. By the Rev. R. M. WHITE, B.D. Fellow of Magdalen-college, Oxford.

A periodical work entitled, "The Castles of the English and Scottish Border," containing a Series of Views of Fortresses, Mansions, and other Feudal Remains connected with the History of that interesting district, from Drawings by T. M. RICHARDSON.

Biographical Sketches of Painters, Sculptors, Engineers, and Architects.

Metrical Exercises upon Scripture Texts and Miscellaneous Poems. By Miss H. R. KING.

Tales and Popular Fictions, their Resemblance and Transmission from Country to Country. By Mr. KEIGHTLEY; with Engravings from Brooke's designs.

The West India Sketch-Book; and also Sketches of the Feathered Tribes of the British Isles and the surrounding seas. By Mr. MUDIE.

On the Colonies of the British Empire. By MONTGOMERY MARTIN.

Facts and Documents relative to the British Museum; including an Account of its Revenue and Expenditure; its Donations and Bequests; the Expense of Printing Museum Publications, &c. with a copy of the Bye-Laws as altered in 1833, &c.

A History of Germany. 2 vols. 8vo. Taxation and Financial Reform. By R. TORRENS, Esq. M. P. F.R.S. vol. 8vo.

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Mr. Valpy will commence in Monthly Volumes (uniform with the works of Byron, Scott, &c.) the publication of Hume and Smollett's History of England, with a continuation from the accession of George III. to 1835. By the

Rev. T. S. HUGHES, B.D. Preb. of Peterborough.

Letters from India, deseribing a journey in the English Dominions of India in the years 1828-33, undertaken by order of the French Government. By VICTOR JACQUEMONT.

The Third Volume of LANDSEER'S Illustrated Edition of the Romance of History.

Theory of the Constitution, compared with its practice in ancient and modern Times. By Mr. JAMES BERNARD.

A familiar or popular Introduction to Botany, on the Model of Rousseau's celebrated Letters. By DR. Lindley.

Napoleon's Dying Soliloquy. By Mr. STEWART.

The Military and Political State of Russia, in 1833. By an OFFICER, late in the Russian Army.

The Housekeeper's Guide; or, a Plain and Practical System of Domestic Cookery. By the Author of "Cottage Comforts."

The Art of being Happy, from the French of Droz, in a Series of Letters from a Father to his Children. By TIMOTHY FLINT, Esq. author of the History and Geography of the Mississippi Valley, &c.

The Literary Cyclopædia. By THOS. DOLBY; with a_Memoir of each author, by T. ROSCOE, Esq.

Second Edition of a History of the Peninsular War. By Lieut.-Col. LEITH HAY, M.P.

DUPIN'S Mathematics practically applied. By Dr. BIRKBECK.

The Cabinet Annual Register of 1833. A New and Improved Edition of Clark's Introduction to Heraldry, with several new plates.

WESTALL'S Illustration of the Bible.

The Truths Hidden by the false Witness of Convocation. By CHAS. SMITH, B.D. Rector of Newton, Suffolk.

The Sixth and concluding Part has at length appeared, of the Fishes of Ceylon. By G. W. BENNETT, Esq.

The 24th Number of the Portrait Gallery of the Female Nobility of England, with Memoirs. By JOHN BURKE, Esq. author of the Peerage.

ROYAL SOCIETY.

Nov. 20. At the Anniversary Meeting, all the officers were re-elected, and the following members constituted the Council: Francis Baily, esq. Peter Barlow, esq. William Thomas Brande, esq. Benjamin Collins Brodie, esq. Mark Isambard Brunel, esq. William Clift, esq. Rev. James Cumming, Michael Faraday, esq. Davies Gilbert, esq. George Bellas Greenough, esq. Rev. Philip Jennings, D.D. Rev. George Peacock, William Hasledine Pepys, esq. Rev. Baden Powell, Rev. Adam Sedgwick, Captain William Henry Smyth.

The most remarkable feature in the Anniversary Address of the Duke of Sussex, was his statement relative to the Royal Medals, placed at the disposal of the Society by his late Majesty in the year 1828. They were to be two gold medals annually, of the value of fifty guineas each. Mr. Chantrey, in conjunction with Sir Thomas Lawrence, was appointed to prepare a design for the die. Either from indecision, or that procrastination for which the late President of the Royal Academy was characterised, the design was never furnished, although it was a frequent and favourite theme of conversation with him. It was, moreever, found, that no funds had been placed at the disposal of the Society's treasurer to defray the expense of the medals. Owing to these and other causes, they had not been completed when the demise of his late Majesty took place. Under such circumstances, the Duke of Sussex, as the President of the Society, deemed it to be his duty to suggest a suspension of any future award of the royal medals, until the opinion of his present Majesty, through his legal advisers, was ascertained. That inquiry terminated in the most satisfactory manner; and steps were immediately afterwards taken to redeem all the pledges made by George IV. to the Royal Society. Mr. Wyon has executed a die, having on the obverse the head of his present gracious Majesty, the patron of the Society, and on the reverse the celebrated statue of Newton at Cambridge. The medal struck from this die is remarkable for its boldness and depth, and delicacy of finish. Ten medals of the foundation of George IV. have been awarded to the following individuals: viz. Dr. Dalton, that venerable philosopher, to whom was owing the development of the atomic theory; although at the eleventh hour, it was gratifying to know that he was acknowledged as its author both at home and abroad; to Mr. Ivory, the second of these medals was awarded; this gentleGENT. MAG. VOL. I.

man was the first English philosopher who introduced to this country the beautiful and refined discoveries of La Place, La Grange, and other foreign astronomers; to Sir H. Davy and Dr. Wollaston medals were awarded, as testimonies of the high sense the Royal Society entertained of their distinguished services in science; the same honorary reward was voted to Professor Struve, for his researches respecting double stars; and to Professor Encke, the greatest, perhaps, of modern astronomical calculators, and the discoverer of the comet which bears his name. The medals for 1829 and 1830 were awarded to Sir C. Bell, Professor Michterlicht, and Sir D. Brewster. The medals on the foundation of his present Majesty were to be awarded annually, as the others; certain rules and regulations for their distribution had been submitted to the King, and received his sanction. Astronomy, physiology, geology and mineralogy, physics, mathematics, and lastly, chemistry, were the sciences which came within the scope of these regulations. The medals for the present year were awarded to Professor De Candolle, of Genoa, for his work on vegetable physiology; and to Sir J. Herschel, for his on double stars. Royal Highness then alluded, in language feeling and appropriate, to the departure of this eminent astronomer to the Cape of Good Hope. Sir John had terminated his European labours; he had gone to another part of the earth, carrying with him the most powerful instruments; and from his great skill, his sagacity, experience, profound knowledge of physical as well as practical astronomy, a rich harvest was to be expected as the result of his labours in the ample field of a new and unexplored heaven. As usual, the President's address closed with a list of the Fellows who had died during the year; of whom he particularly noticed Sir John Malcolm, as the youngest of seventeen children, three of whom were made Knights Commanders of the Bath in one day; Dr. Babington, at whose house the first meetings of the Geological Society were held; Lord Dover, the warm patron of artists; Joshua Brookes, forty years an eminent professor of anatomy, and who, during that period, superintended the anatomical education of 7000 pupils; Mr. Morgan, the actuary, &c.

His

Dec. 5. J. W. Lubbock, esq. V. P.

James Copeland, M. D. Edwin Pearson, esq. M. A. and Charles Terry, esq. were elected Fellows; and Peregine Edward Towneley, esq. was, by ballot, readmitted. The reading consisted of the report of the Anniversary Meeting, and the Duke of Sussex's Annual Address

M

Dec. 12. Francis Baily, Esq. V.P. Reports from Sir John Herschel, Professor Airy, and Captain Smyth, on the performance of a telescope constructed with fluid bases, by Professor Barlow, were read; and also an Account of experiments on the Magnetic Forces, made in the West Indies, by the Rev. G. Fisher; and a paper on the Theory of the Moon, by J. W. Lubbock, Esq. V.P. in reply to M. Poisson's recent work on the same subject.

Dec. 17. M. I. Brunel, Esq. V.P.

A paper on the true position of the Magnetic Pole, by Captain Ross, which excited the deepest interest; and another by Dr. Daubeny, on the quantity and quality of the gas disengaged from the King's Spring at Bath.

A fine portrait of the ex-President Davies Gilbert, Esq. recently painted for the Society by Phillips, has been placed in the meeting-room.

GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Nov. 6. At the first meeting for the season, three communications were read. The first was on some of the dislocations

which affect a band of limestone and calcareous slate, separating the upper from the middle division of the schistose rocks of the Cambrian mountains; and on the passage of veins of the Shap granite into the adjacent grauwacke; by Mr. Sedgwick, the Woodwardian Professor of Geology at Cambridge. The second was a notice respecting some points on the section of the coast near St. Leonard's and Hastings, by Dr. Fitton. And the third was a letter from Mr. Woodbine Parish, jun., accompanying a collection of fossils, made during the last summer at St. Leonard's, and presented by him to the Society.

Nov. 20. Read, a description of the geological structure of the north coast of the river and gulf of St. Lawrence, from the mouth of the Saguenay (long. 69° 16' W.) to Cape Whittle, (long. 600 W.) and on the proofs of change in the relative position of land and water, by Capt. Bayfield, R.N.

Dec. 2. Read, a letter by H. E. Strickland, esq. on the red marl and lias of part of Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire, and on a line of disturbance which affects those formations between Bredon Hill in Gloucestershire, and Inkleborrow in Worcestershire. Then followed two papers by Dr. Mitchell-one on the Portland oolite of Quainton and Bredon Hills, Buckinghamshire; and the other, on the changes which have been produced by the action of the sea on the coast and the bed of

OXFORD UNIVERSITY.

By a statute which received the assent of the House of Convocation on Dec. 2, and which comes into operation in Act Term 1834, all candidates for a degree in medicine are (besides producing certificates from some hospital of eminence of a diligent attendance upon lectures and hospital practice) to undergo an examination before the Regius Professor of Medicine, and two other examiners, who are, to be doctors in that faculty, and appointed by the Vice-Chancellor. For the superior degree, a dissertation written by the candidate upon some subject to be approved by the Regius Professor, is to be publicly delivered, and a copy given into the hands of the Professor, before admis sion to the doctor's degree.

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY.

Dec. 19. The subject of the English poem, by resident under graduates, for the Chancellor's third gold medal, is"The second Triumvirate."

The subjects for the Members' four prizes, of fifteen guineas each, are, for the bachelors-" Quænam sint commodą expectanda a recenti apud Cantabrigiam clarorum virorum congressu?" For the under-graduates-" Quinam sint effectus libertatis in possessionibus Hispaniæ transatlanticis?"

The subjects for Sir William Browne's gold medals are, Greek Sapphics-" Niger navigabilis." Latin Horatian-Australis expeditio J. F. G. Herschel, E. A Greek epigram, after the Anthologia; and Latin ditto, after Martial-" Scire tuum nihil est, nisi te scire hoc sciat alter."

The Porson prize is the second scene of the third act of Shakspeare's Richard II. "Let's talk of graves," &c. to "How can you say to me I am a king?"