MONTHLY REVIEW OF LITERATURE. 



565 



The Rambler in North America, in 1832-33. By CHARLES JOSEPH 

 LATROBE, author of " The Alpenstock," &c. 2 vols. pp. 336, postSvo. 

 R. B. Seely & W. Burnside, Fleet Street. 



THIS is a work of considerable importance to our winter nights' readers. It is 

 one, indeed, of no less merit than interest, a series of "rambles" (and voyages) 

 in North America, a land of beauty and sublimity, where nature, in all her 

 grandeur, laughs wildly beneath the flood-gates of the golden sun of daylight 

 and liberty. 



Our author has dedicated his work to the Phoebus of American and modern 

 literature namely, Washington Irving, which, by the way, was in good taste. 

 The style is easy and persuasive, because it is natural ; and the narrative con- 

 tinues to interest as well as instruct the reader as he travels over the pages of the 

 Rambler. The interest is well kept up throughout the work. At page 41, vol. 1, 

 we have the following : 



" Well may America be proud of such scenes. All bear the impress of sub- 

 limity. The feelings which they convey to the human mind may be less pleasing 

 and less definite, but they are more durable." " One scene yet remains, which, 

 though you have gazed upon the Alps in all their splendid attractions of high 

 sublimity, and acknowledge the presence of the same feeling while floating on 

 the bosom of the Ocean in calm or tempest still stands forward among these, 

 the world's wonders, and vies with them in claiming its degree of this attribute 

 and that is Niagara : the huge step between the waters of an upper and lower 

 world whence the thunder of nature has echoed through the forests, and the 

 vapour of the great cataract has ascended for ages, like smoke from an altar 

 of the great Creator of All." 



The Engineer's and Mechanic's Encyclopedia. By LUKE HERBERT. 

 Part I. Thomas Kelly. 



THIS is a new, and, from what we have been able to discover, a very promising 

 utilitarian undertaking a work of prodigious labour and infinite research. The 

 editor, who is well known as the author of " The History and Progress of the 

 Steam Engine," " Register of Arts and Journal of Patent Inventions," &c., 

 may feel assured we shall follow him through his " Practical Illustrations of the 

 Machinery and Process employed in every description of Manufacture of the 

 British Empire," with sincere pleasure ; and most happy shall we be to add our 

 modicum of praise in recommendation of this ably conducted publication. The 

 work is well printed by Mr. Clay; the illustrations in the best style, both 

 wood and copper. We really congratulate Mr. Kelly upon his enterprising and 

 admired spirit, which we have no doubt will be amply rewarded by the reading 

 and scientific public. This is really a cheap, and, at the same time, a utilitarian 

 work, of undoubted merit and utility. 



A Supplement to Captain Sir John Ross's Narrative of the Second 

 Voyage in the Victory, in search of a North- West Passage ; contain- 

 ing the Suppressed Facts necessary to a proper Understanding of the 

 Causes of the Failure of the Steam Machinery of the Victory, &c. &c. 

 By JOHN BRAITHWAITE. Chapman & Hall, 186, Strand. 

 THIS is a " full and particular account," as it would seem, of the cause or 

 causes of the failure of the machinery supplied to Captain Sir John Ross's steam- 

 ship, the Victory, written by the engineer, who manufactured and supplied the 

 same. We are bound to say Mr. Braithwaire's statement carries conviction with 

 its undoubted veracity. It is well written, and commands the attention of all 

 parties concerned or interested. Sir John should not fail to reply to this state- 

 ment as soon as possible. 



