its projection and commencement, one of the most invaluable productions of modern literature. "But these advantages, eminent as they undoubtedly are, are not the sole nor the chief recommendations of the Cabinet Cyclopedia. Neither is it on the extreme cheapness of the publication, nor the federal independence-if we may so speak-of its several volumes, that we rest our prediction of its influence on the tone of thinking of the present, and on the literature of the next generationbut on the promise, amounting almost to a moral certainty, of the great excellence of its execution. A multitude of persons eminent in literature and science in the United Kingdom are employed in this undertaking; and, indeed, no others should be employed in it; for it is a truth that the profound and practised writer alone is capable of furnishing a 'popular compendium.' "What parent or guardian that throws his eye over the list of its contributors but must be rejoiced by meeting the names of those who are in themselves a guarantee of intellectual and moral excellence?"-Literary Gazette. "The plan of the work appears well adapted to the purpose it is proposed to fulfil-that of supplying a series of publications, embracing the whole range of literature and science, in a popular and portable form; while the excellence of the execution is guaranteed by the judgment displayed in the selection of writers. The list of authors employed in this ambitious undertaking comprises some of the most eminent men of the present age. Dr. Lardner has commenced appropriately with the historical series, which, to judge not only by the specimen before us, but the proved ability of the gentlemen engaged in the promised volumes, there is good reason to believe will be unequalled in its class.”—Atlas. "It is proposed to form a collection of works on the most important parts of literature and science. Each is to be complete in its separate state, and yet a due proportion is to be maintained among the parts, and a general harmony preserv ed; so that the Cyclopædia, when complete, will form a valuable work of reference, as well as a most entertaining and instructive library. It is an essential principle in every part of it, that it should be clear and easily understood, and that an attempt should every where be made to unite accurate information with an agreeable manner of conveying it. It is an experiment to try how much science may be taught with little crabbed or technical language, and how far the philosophical and poetical qualities of history may be preserved in its more condensed state. It possesses also the most indispensable of all the qualities of a work intended for general instruction-that of cheapness. Whatever the plan might be, it was evident that the grand difficulty of Dr. Lardner was to unite a body of writers in its execution, whose character or works afforded the most probable hope that they were fitted for a task of which the peculiarity, the novelty, and even the prevalent relish for such writings greatly enhance the difficulty. It would be invidious to ascribe merit to living men in such a manner as to express or imply a comparison of them with others. Sir Walter Scott, in his preface, has declared that there are few literary persons who would not be willing to incur much labour and risk of reputation for the privilege of publishing in such society as that of his illustrious coadjutors.' From him the world will judge of men and books.' We do not believe, that in the list of contributors, there is one name of which the enlightened part of the public would desire the exclusion. "In science, the list is not less promising. The names of the President, VicePresidents, and most distinguished Fellows of the Royal Society, are contained in it. A treatise on astronomy, by Herschel; on optics, by Brewster; and on mechanics, by Lardner; need be only recommended by the subjects and the writers. An eminent Prelate, of the first rank in science, has undertaken a noble subject which happily combines philosophy with religion. Twelve of the most distinguished naturalists of the age, Fellows of the Linnæan and Zoological Societies, are preparing a course of natural history. Others, not less eminent in literature and science, whose names it is not needful yet to mention, have shown symptoms of an ambition to take a place among such fellow labourers."-Times, Dec. 4. CABINET OF HISTORY. I. II. HISTORY OF SCOTLAND, BY SIR WALTER SCOTT. The History of Scotland, by Sir Walter Scott, we do not hesitate to declare, will be, if possible, more extensively read, than the most popular work of fiction, by the same prolific author, and for this obvious reason: it combines much of the brilliant colouring of the Ivanhoe pictures of by-gone manners, and all the graceful facility of style and picturesqueness of description of his other charm ing romances, with a minute fidelity to the facts of history, and a searching serutiny into their authenticity and relative value, which might put to the blush Mr. Hume and other professed historians. Such is the magic charm of Sir Walter Scott's pen, it has only to touch the simplest incident of every day life, and it starts up invested with all the interest of a scene of romance; and yet such is his fidelity to the text of nature, that the knights, and serfs, and collared fools with whom his inventive genius has peopled so many volumes, are regarded by us as not mere creations of fancy, but as real flesh and blood existences, with all the virtues, feelings and errors of common place humanity.”—Lit. Gaz. III. HISTORY OF ENGLAND, BY SIR JAMES MACKINTOSH, Vol. I. "The talents of Sir James Mackintosh are so justly and deeply respected, that a strong interest is necessarily excited with regard to any work which such a distinguished writer may think fit to undertake. In the present instance, as in all others, our expectations are fully gratified."-Gentleman's Mag. "Our anticipations of this volume were certainly very highly raised, and unlike such anticipations in general, they have not been disappointed. A philo sophical spirit, a nervous style, and a full knowledge of the subject, acquired by considerable research into the works of preeeding chroniclers and historians, eminently distinguish this popular abridgiment, and cannot fail to recommend it to universal approbation. In continuing his work as he has begun, Sir James Mackintosh will confer a great benefit on his country."-Lond. Lit. Gazette. IV. OUTLINES OF HISTORY, FROM THE CREATION TO THE PRESENT TIME. V. THE HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, By T. C. GRATTAN. "It is but justice to Mr. Grattan to say that he has executed his laborious task with much industry and proportionate effect. Undisfigured by pompous nothingness, and without any of the affectation of philosophical profundity, his style is simple, light, and fresh-perspicuous, smooth, and harmonious."-La Belle Assemblee. "Never did work appear at a more fortunate period; a History of the Netherlands, at all tunes a desideratum, is peculiarly so now that the public attention is fixed on the revolutionizing spirit which is at this moment disturbing the country. The volume before us is a compressed but clear and impartial narrative."-Lit. Gaz. To be succeeded by VI. VII. HISTORY OF FRANCE, TO THE DEPOSITION OF CHARLES X. BY EYRE EVANS CROWE. In 3 vols. Vols. 1 and 2. "His History of France is worthy to figure with the works of his associates, the best of their day, Scott and Mackintosh."-Monthly May. "For such a task Mr. Crowe is eminently qualified. At a glance, as it were, his eye takes in the theatre of centuries. His style is neat, clear, and pithy; and his power of condensation enables him to say much, and effectively, in a few words, to present a distinct and perfect picture in a narrowly circumscribed space."-La Belle Assemblee. VIII. IX. HISTORY OF MARITIME AND IN- "The whole work is so filled with variety and excellence, that any ten of its rages which we might quote, would prove to readers that they ought not to be satisfied with less than all."-Lit. Gaz. TE, 'E, pourquoi, ▲ de celui _d: CAREY & LEA. r 4 Cabinet Cyclopædia. The following are in preparation and will speedily follow:-HISTORY of ENGLAND. By Sir JAMES MACKINTOSH, Vol. II. HISTORY of IRELAND. BY THOMAS MOORE. HISTORY of GREECE. In 3 vols. By the Rev. C. THIRLWALL, Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. HISTORIES of SPAIN, PORTUGAL, GERMANY, RUSSIA, AMERICA, &c. by distinguished authors. PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE for the CABINET of HISTORY. By Sir JAMES MACKINTOSH, CABINET LIBRARY. Among the works in preparation for this division, are the following: MILITARY MEMOIRS of FIELD MARSHAL the DUKE of WELLINGTON. By Captain MOYLE SHERER, in 2 vols. LIVES of EMINENT BRITISH LAWYERS. By H. RosCOE, Esq. CITIES and PRINCIPAL TOWNS of the WORLD, in 3 vols. LIVES of BRITISH NAVAL COMMANDERS. By R. SOUTHEY, Esq. L. L. D. LIVES of the MOST EMINENT LITERARY MEN of all NATIONS. BY SCOTT, SOUTHEY, MOORE, MACKINTOSH, MONTGOMERY, CUNNINGHAM, &c. LIVES of the MOST EMINENT ARTISTS. By W. G. OTTLEY, Esq. and T. PHILIPS, R. A. The FRENCH REVOLUTION of 1830. By T. B. MACAULEY, Esq. M. P. CABINET OF NATURAL HISTORY. This portion will be completed in Twelve Volumes, and will constitute a COMPLETE SYSTEM of NATURAL HISTORY, by the most eminent Naturalists of the age, Fellows of the Linnæan and Zoological Societies. CABINET OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY. A TREATISE on ASTRONOMY. By J. F. W. HERSCHEL. CABINET OF GEOGRAPHY. |